GB2520522A

GB2520522A - An anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2520522A
Application number: GB1320654.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donna Widdows
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-22
Filing date: 2013-11-22
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Also published as: GB201320654D0

Abstract

An anti-theft device, e.g. an elongate bicycle lock, comprising a body 20 with a female part 40 and a male part 30 arranged to couple together to lock the device about an item and a reservoir arranged for holding deterrent fluid, e.g. a brightly coloured ink or dye or a foul smelling liquid (e.g. rotten eggs), wherein the pressure of the fluid within the reservoir is increased when the parts are coupled. Preferably the male part presses on a T shaped plunger 90 in the female part to compress the liquid. The body may comprise a flexible wire core 120 in the centre with a flexible outer member forming the reservoir. The outer surface of the reservoir/body may be a flexible durable waterproof material. When compressed the fluid reservoir may become more rigid, when not compressed the body is flaccid and easier to transport. A combination lock may be used. The plunger may also be activated manually and not as a direct result of the coupling of the male and female parts.

Description

AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to anti-theft devices, in particular an anti-theft device for securing items like bicycles; more particularly but not exclusively a cable lock with theft deterrent capable of marking a bicycle thief with a foul smelling and visible fluid.

Background

There is often a requirement to lock items when it is not in use, to prevent theft or unauthorised use, in particular if the item is to be left unattended. For example cyclists will often need to lock up there bicycle whilst it is not in use. Typically a portable anti-theft device is provided so as to allow the item to be locked to a fixed object in order to prevent the item being stolen. Often the device is in the form an elongate cable with distal lock parts that can be wrapped around the item and structure it is to be secured to, looped through the item and structure so as to prevent the item from being removed from the relatively more fixed or larger structure.

However some thieves will cut through such devices in order to be able to steal the item.

Flexible locks are often required to accommodate a variety of structures, items and situations. However even though the device may be wholly or partly formed from strong, durable material such as steel, cables or the loop can be cut with cutting equipment and locks broken therefore items can be at risk when locked in this way.

Rigid locks may be stronger but mean it may be difficult to lock some items and the lock may also be bulky and difficult to store or transport.

In any event even rigid locks, such as D locks are susceptible to cutting with correct equipment.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Korean patent application KR2O1 001 23954 discloses a lock connection unit is a wire rope including a tube in which the liquid is included. The lock connection unit includes a lock connector, a tube and an outer cover. The tube is connected to the lock connector to both ends of the lock body unit.

Korean patent application KR20100048016 shows a wire lock comprises a locking part, a fixing part and a wire. The locking part comprises an opening and closing control unit. The fixing part comprises an attaching/detaching unit to be detached from the locking part. One end of the wire is connected to the locking part and the other end is connected to the fixing part. The wire comprises a tube which is formed in order to protect the outer circumference. Cut prevention substance is filled inside the tube. The cut prevention substance comprises adhesive ingredient.

United States granted patent U54326741 reveals a security sealing device for providing visible indication of tampering or removal from an object to which it is secured comprising an elongate hollow thin-wall tubing for retention in a hole in the object and having two opposed ends for preventing removal from the hole or forceful deformation of said tubing without rupture of said wall, end portions of said tubing being closed to provide within the tubing a pressurizable chamber, and within the chamber a dye at greater than atmospheric pressure for permenently and visibly staining outer surfaces of said tubing upon rupture of said thin wall and exudation of dye from the chamber to said outer surfaces.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device comprising: a body comprising a female part and a male part arranged by coupling to lock the device about an item; and a reservoir arranged for holding deterrent fluid, , wherein the fluid within the reservoir is pressurised when the parts are coupled.

Preferably coupling of the parts causes pressurisation of the fluid within the reservoir.

Advantageously this mechanical coupling of the female and male parts acts simply to displace fluid within and into the reservoir, and consequently leads to a higher pressure being obtained within the reservoir.

Preferably the female and male parts couple to form a closure and a subsequent step is undertaken or necessary to either consolidate or lock the closure, and/or decouple or unlock the parts; wherein the parts interact or couple to: form a catch or closure and are reversibly locked together by such closure, or lockabie subsequent to such closure by a later step.

Advantageously forced decoupling or breakage in the body will cause pressurised fluid to exit the device.

Advantageously the parts clip together, fit together or otherwise couple so as to form an unbroken loop in use, such loop used to lock a bicycle or other portable item to a relatively less portable structure, so preventing theft.

In this way the body is typically more flexible or flaccid when the parts are not locked but is relatively more rigid or when the parts are coupled. When flaccid the body can be easily flexed so as to be easily wrapped around the item to be locked and structure to which it is secured, such as a bicycle locked to a lamp post.

In preferred embodiments the reservoir is internal to the body and has an outer surface comprised from a flexible, durable, waterproof material so as to seal the fluid within the reservoir and allow the body to be flexed about the item, and parts for coupling manipulated so as to be locked to the structure.

In preferred embodiments the reservoir has an outer surface that is wear resistant so as to be suitable for repeated use. Typically the outer membrane is formed from a synthetic material such a plastic or a fibre reinforced plastic or elastomer.

Preferably the body comprises an elongate flexible inner surface surrounding the reservoir and preventing collapse or explosion of the reservoir due to pressure differentials. Typically therefore the body or reservoir includes flexible fibre strengtheners and/or comprises metal fibre construction.

Some embodiments of the outer membrane include a warning label or printing to warn persons that the device includes a deterrent fluid. In this way a potential thief may be deterred from attempting to break the device or unlock the parts.

Additionally the device may be provided in a particular colour scheme so as to attempt to deter potential thieves for example the outer membrane may be formed from warning colours such as yellow and black, or red.

Preferably in some embodiments the body may have a strengthened core, for example a steel wire core within the reservoir so as to prevent the body from being bent in such as way that would pinch the reservoir and cause fluid to become trapped in part of the body, thereby causing build-ups of pressure and fluid. Instead fluid is ideally always spread along the length of the reservoir, and typically body, ensuring easier pressurisation during coupling.

Typically the strengthened core is attached to each of the female and male parts so as to pass along the length of the body.

Where the reservoir reaches or terminates at a coupling part each of such coupling parts provides a seal to seal the deterrent fluid within the device.

Preferably the reservoir is spread along the length of the body between the female and male parts, wherein in many embodiments the parts comprise ends, and the act of coupling the parts forces the deterrent fluid back from one or both ends compressing the fluid within the reservoir.

In some other embodiments the female and male parts may not be literally situated to ends of an elongate body with internal reservoir stretched therealong. For example in some embodiments one of the female and male parts may be situated intermediate the ends for example wherein the parts are coupled, and a locking mechanism employed from an end to pressurise the reservoir, for example in a D lock arrangement.

In preferred embodiments however the fluid is displaced during coupling so as to become forced into a smaller area, wherein the reservoir is compressed, and therefore the body becomes more rigid as the fluid is pressed against the inner.

Typically at least one of the parts, typically the female part includes a displaceable internal plunger arranged to push into the reservoir and impel the deterrent fluid back from the end, as and when the male part is inserted.

Ideally the plunger is located within a rigid collar so as to allow free movement of the plunger, forwards and backwards. Typically movement of the plunger is restricted by a front wall and a back wall which define a chamber in which the plunger can be moved Advantageously the plunger engages with the chamber so as to form a seal that prevents escape of deterrent fluid past the plunger thereby forcing liquid along the body, for example wherein there are included resiliently deformable sealing members such as rubber or silicone o rings or gaiters.

In typical embodiments the plunger is T-shaped so as to have a disc that connects with or follows the inner surface and an arm that engages with the male part to impel the plunger. When the parts are decoupled the plunger automatically moves backwards due to the release of pressure.

The front and back walls of the chamber each have an aperture. The front wall also includes an aperture to allow fluid to be squeezed from the chamber to the reservoir when the parts are coupled thereby increasing fluid volume in the reservoir, and where the inner has limited dimensions, increasing the pressure within the reservoir.

The inner surface of the reservoir is constructed to ensure that increase in volume increases pressures rather than deforming the inner.

In embodiments having a core the disc is attached to the core to provide an anchor for the core and the aperture in the front wall also receives the core so that during coupling fluid is forced from the chamber with the wire core being impelled into the reservoir.

It may be envisaged that the length of core within the body when the parts are coupled is greater than the length of the body as the core has been forced forwards from the chamber by the plunger. Therefore the core may be longer than the body by the length of the chamber so the excess wire core may be forced against the outer membrane when rigid. This allows the plunger to return to the back wall when the parts are unlocked and the body becomes flaccid, as the core is of sufficient length.

The collar also ensures easy insertion of the male part, even if the body is flexed or bent as the collar is rigid and therefore maintains the female opening through which the male part is inserted. In this way the parts can be coupled without having to arrange the body in a particular orientation. Therefore the parts can be coupled quickly and easily.

Once the body has been positioned about the item to be locked the ends are coupled by inserting the male end into the female end. Insertion of the male end causes the plunger to be forced forwards and thereby movement of fluid into or along the body so that it becomes more rigid as the reservoir becomes pressurised.

In order to secure the female and male parts together when coupled a lock mechanism may be provided. Preferably the female part includes a combination lock such as at the collar. Therefore once the male part has been inserted the combination lock is twisted in order to fix the parts together. The parts may be released by arranging the combination lock to the predetermined code.

Advantageously no key is required for this lock mechanism however other embodiments may include a displaceable key.

The channel typically includes the locking mechanism which causes the male part to become fixed to the female part. For example twisting of the combination lock causes the locking mechanism to move in such a way that the male part is fixed within the female. Typically the male part may include raised and lowered, rebated, notched or ridged portions with which the locking mechanism engages.

Advantageously by rendering the reservoir depressurised and consequently allowing at least some of the body to become flaccid when not in use the device can be more easily coiled into a smaller arrangement for transport or storage.

Advantageously if the device is cut when in use for locking, for example by someone trying to cut off the device in order to steal the item, the fluid is released under pressure, and liable to spraying from over a wider area. The release of the fluid in this way causes the potential thief to be covered with deterrent fluid.

Preferably the deterrent fluid is brightly coloured so as to stain anything it comes into contact with when released. For example, the fluid may be fluorescent. Ideally the fluid contains a dye so as to permanently or semi-permanently stain a thief, their clothing and any equipment they may be carrying. In this way anyone who cuts the device can be easily identified due to the staining.

Preferably the deterrent fluid is also foul smelling having a strong distasteful odour such as rotten eggs so as to deter potential thieves and to mark them in such as way that they can be easily identified by smell as well as visually by the dye. For example the odour would draw attention to them in a public space alerting any others to the theft.

The fluid contained within the reservoir provides a means of marking a thief should they damage the device in any way, for example by cutting the body with bolt croppers. The covering of the perpetrator in deterrent fluid allows the perpetrator to be readily identified so that they can be apprehended.

Ideally in embodiments wherein the reservoir or chamber(s) approximate(s) the coupling parts, any unauthorised decoupling is liable to lead to leakage of fluid also.

In some embodiments the device may include a clip so that the device can be attached to an item or object when not in use. For example the clip may comprise a karabiner so as to allow the device to be hooked on to the user's bag or bicycle whilst flaccid or not coupled.

Brief DescriDtion of Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device with male and females parts uncoupled; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with the male and female parts coupled; Figure 3A shows a sectional view of the male and female parts of the embodiments shown in Figure 1 with the plunger arranged in the body; And Figure 3B shows a sectional view of the male part inserted into the female part.

Detailed Description of Figures

The figures show a preferred embodiment of the device as a cable lock that can be used for securing items to prevent theft or unauthorised use with the addition of deterrent fluid to deter potential thieves from breaking the cable lock, wherein the male and female parts are arranged at and comprise the ends.

Figures 1 and 2 show the cable lock 10 has a body 20 with a male end 30 and a female end 40 that can be lockably coupled to form a loop.

The body 20 has a round cross section and is of equal thickness along its length.

The body 20 has a flexible wire core (120 Figure 3A, 3B) and a flexible outer membrane 50 in between which is filled with deterrent fluid 60.

The male end 30 and female end 40 seal the deterrent fluid 60 within the body 20 as well as providing coupling means that enable the ends, 30 and 40 to be joined.

The female end 40 has a collar 70 about which the combination lock 80 is arranged.

The male end 30 is received by the female end 40 so as to form the loop. The combination lock 80 is then twisted in order to lock the ends together.

Within the collar 70 is a plunger 90 that can be depressed in order to move the deterrent fluid 60 along the body 20. The plunger 90 is located in a chamber 100 where the plunger can be moved forwards or backwards to cause movement of the deterrent fluid 60 within the body 20.

The plunger 90 is a T-shaped portion have a disc 95 arranged to be contact with the chamber 100 so as to form a seal to prevent escape of deterrent fluid 60 past the plunger and to ensure the fluid 60 is forced along the body.

The disc 95 is attached to an arm 96 which engages with the male end 30 during coupling. The arm 96 is arranged exterior the chamber 100.

The arm 96 and male end 30 move along a channel 130 during coupling. The male end 30 is inserted to the channel 130 forcing the arm 96 to move forwards, therefore pushing the plunger 90 which in turn forces the deterrent fluid 60 along the body 20.

Ideally the channel includes the chamber wherein a back wall of the chamber includes an aperture for receiving the arm that engages with the male part, exterior to the chamber. Typically the arm and male part move backward and forwards along a channel within the female part during coupling, wherein the male part forces the arm forwards in the channel causing the plunger to displace fluid from the chamber.

When the parts are uncoupled or unlocked the arm is released to travel backwards along the channel so as to allow the chamber to again fill with fluid, discharging pressure and causing the body to become flaccid.

The plunger is typically located at the back wall when the body is flaccid.

The chamber 100 has a front wall 110 with an aperture 115 for receiving the wire core 120 and allowing the deterrent fluid 60 in to and out from the chamber 100.

The chamber has a back wall 140 that also has an aperture 115 which receives the arm so that it can pass to the channel 130 therefore allowing the plunger 90 to move backwards between the rigid position and the flaccid position. Having the arm 96 located in the channel 130 also ensures the disc 95 is corrected positioned within the chamber so as to form a seal that prevents escape of deterrent fluid 60.

Typically a tip 35 of the male end 30 engages with the plunger 90 so as to push the plunger 90 and thereby the deterrent fluid 60 along the body 20. This forces the deterrent fluid 60 in to a smaller area within the body therefore causing the body 30 to become rigid.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An anti-theft device comprising: a body comprising a female part and a male part arranged by coupling to lock the device about an item; and a reservoir arranged for holding deterrent fluid, wherein the fluid within the reservoir is pressurised when the parts are coupled.
2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1 wherein the device is arranged such that coupling of the female and male parts causes pressurisation of the fluid within the reservoir.
3. An anti-theft device according to claim 2 wherein the coupling of the female and male parts acts to displace fluid within and into the reservoir, and consequently leads to a higher pressure being obtained within the reservoir.
4. An anti-theft device according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the female and male parts couple to form a closure and a subsequent step is undertaken or necessary to either consolidate or lock the closure.
5. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body comprises an elongate flexible inner surface surrounding the reservoir and preventing collapse or explosion of the reservoir due to pressure differentials.
6. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body has a strengthened core.
7. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the reservoir is spread along the length of the body between the parts, wherein the parts comprise ends, and the act of coupling the female and male parts forces the deterrent fluid back from one or both ends compressing the fluid within the reservoir.
8. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the inner surface of the reservoir is constructed to ensure that increase in volume increases pressures rather than deforming the inner.
9. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the parts include a combination lock.
10. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the deterrent fluid is brightly coloured so as to stain anything it comes into contact with when released
11. An anti-theft device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the deterrent fluid is foul smelling.
12. A cable lock substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.