IE20140122A1 - Locking device for security barriers and gates - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for security barriers and gates. In particular, the invention provides a lockbox comprising a six-sided steel box with on opening or housing in the box to accommodate a padlock, an internal mechanism which is locked in place by the padlock, an opening to accommodate a receiver attached to a barrier or gate to be secured, and a screw or nut recessed into the box to limit the movement of the mechanism within the box. The advantages of the invention are that the lockbox allows for a strong, secure lock formation on a security barrier or gate that is mechanical and not susceptible to the weather. Also, the padlock being used cannot be removed from the device during normal use, as a locknut or screw must be opened by a tool to remove or change said padlock.

Description

Locking Device for Security Barriers and Field of Invention The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for security banders and gates. In particular, the invention relates to a new type of lockbox which incorporates a standard padlock as part of Its security system.

Background to the Invention Security barriers and gates are standard security features located in farms, parks, woodlands, and other public areas. Security barriers (e.g. doors) and gates are hinged structures which swing on posts or pillars. The main purpose for these is to control the access to an area or to protect property within that area.

Providing a secure locking system for these security barriers and gates is a standard requirement. In our previous patent application (IE 2014/0085) we disclose a lockbox wherein a receiver is secured by the action of a pair of padlocks which can be independently operated by distinct keyholders.

There remains, however, a need for a system where only one padlock is required, and while while there are many systems on offer, there are none which allow- the manager/owner to operate a strong locking system, in an area in which there may be multiple users, using a standard padlock which cannot be removed from the lockbox during normal everyday use, even when the padlock is unlocked, to prevent the padlock being mislaid or removed from the area.

Statement of Invention Accordingly, there is provided a lockbox comprising: a six-sided steel box with one opening or housing in the box to accommodate a padlock; an internal mechanism which is locked in place by the padlock; an opening to accommodate a receiver attached to a barrier or gate to be secured; and a screw or lock nut recessed into the box to limit the movement of the mechanism within the lockbox.

The advantages of the invention are that the lockbox allows for a strong, secure lock formation on a security barrier or gate that is mechanical and not susceptible io the weather. Also, the padlock being used cannot be removed from the device during normal use, as a locknut or screw must be opened by a tool to remove or change said padlock.

Brief Description of the Drawing The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la and lb illustrate two isometric 3D views of the exterior of a lockbox according to the invention in an embodiment wherein the receiver enters the lockbox via an opening in the rear wall of the lockbox with respect to the padlock housing; Figures 2a and 2b illustrate two isometric 3D views of the internal components of the locking device according to the same embodiment ofthe invention: figure 2a from the rear and figure 2b from the front of the box; Figure 3 illustrates an exploded diagram of the internal components ofthe lockbox; Figure 4.1 and 4.2 illustrates the lockbox according to the invention in an embodiment wherein the receiver enters the lockbox via an opening in the rear wall of the lockbox with respect to the padlock housing, in its various states of locking and unlocking.

Figure 4.3 illustrates a side view of the inside of same embodiment ofthe lockbox; Figure 5(1,2) illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the receiver is required to enter the lockbox via the left (Fig. 5.1) or right (Fig. 5.2) wall of the lockbox with respect to the padlock housing.

Detailed Description Referring now to Fig la, the illustration shows the exterior of the lockbox. The front of the box (2) has one opening (18) that is used to house a padlock. This opening secures the padlock in the most suitable orientation when fully inserted into the box. The padlock enters the box shackle first, with the key end of the padlock being flush or recessed into the face of the lockbox.

Referring also to figure 1 b, an opening (22) allows the receiver (8), which is fixed to the barrier or gate, to slide into or out of the lockbox. The top of the box (1) has a hole (9) with a sleeve (21) protruding from it. The bottom of the box also has a hole (20) in it.

Referring now to Figure 4.1, fitted to the inner rear wall (4) of the box is a block (19) which has a machined slot. The slot is aligned such that the shackle of the padlock (23a) locates into said slot when inserted into the padlock housing (18), which prevents the shackle from rotating or moving laterally. This prevents the shackle from swinging out of alignment under its own weight, which could prevent the lock being withdrawn. When the lock is being opened, the block also prevents the shackle from moving forward. Therefore, the body of the lock is forced to move backwards and out through its housing Fig 4.2 (18).

An adjustable screw or lock nut (15) is located on the inner back wall of the box. The screw or lock nut is used to restrict the sliding movement of the mechanism within the ambit of the plate (16), so that while it can be withdrawn from the hole Fig 3 (10) in the receiver (8), thereby releasing the receiver and allowing the gate or barrier to be opened Fig 4.2, it cannot be withdrawn through the space defined by the casing and shackle of the padlock, so that the open padlock cannot be removed even when the barrier or gate is opened. To support the screw, and to ensure it is flush with the outer back wall of the box when fully threaded, the head of the screw or lock nut is recessed into the back wall of the box Fig 4.2. To facilitate this, a cylindrical threaded sleeve (14a) is fixed to the inner back wall of the box, centred on the screw hole (14). The screw can further be adapted so that while it can be sufficiently unthreaded to free the plate (16), it cannot be fully withdrawn from the box. This can be helpful as a security measure.

Fig 4.1 shows a sliding bar (12) with a handgrip (11) at its upper end, which extends the full length of the box, passing through the hole Fig 2b (20) in the bottom wall (5) of the lockbox and protruding through the sleeve (21) in the upper wall (1) of the lockbox. This sleeve serves two functions; by protruding from the top of the box it keeps out rain, dust and the like, and it also allows greater ease of access to the handgrip. When this bar is passed through a slotted hole Fig 3 (10) in the receiver (8) and through the hole (20) in the base plate (5), it effectively secures the receiver in the locked position.

Fixed to the internal walls (3,6) Fig 5.1 of the lockbox is aplate (17) Fig lb with a hole (17a) to accommodate the sliding bar. The hole is aligned with the axis defined by the holes in the upper (9) and lower (20) Fig lb plates of the box. The plate stabilises the bar as it travels through the top plate (1) and the bottom plate (5).

Also attached to the bar (12) Fig 4.1 are a plate (16) located towards the middle of the bar·, above the fixed plate (17), and a tooth (13) positioned at its lower end. The purpose of the plate (16) is to restrict the distance of travel of the bar (12) in conjunction with the screw (15) entering from the plate (14) in the lockbox. The plate (16), being positioned above the fixed plate (17) prevents the sliding bar from travelling beyond the point where the two plates meet. Also, the bar plate (16) shape broadly matches the internal cross section of the box, thereby preventing the sliding bar from rotating, and so maintaining the alignment of the tooth (13) with respect to the padlock housing.

Turning to the receiver (8) Fig 2b, it has a slotted hole (10) which allows the sliding bar (12) to pass through into its locked position. When the sliding bar projects through the slotted hole in the receiver, it cannot be withdrawn. For added security, the sliding bar further passes through the aligned hole (20) in the base plate of the box (5), thwarting any attempt to force the locked receiver out of the box by warping the slide bar.

The receiver also comprises an upward projecting plate (7) which, when the receiver is secured into the slot (22) in the lockbox, lies against the outer wall of the box, thereby blocking access to the screw (15) Fig 4.2. Hence, when the gate is locked, this screw cannot be withdrawn, and by acting on the bar’s plate (16) prevents the bar being drawn upwards beyond the point where the plate meets the screw.

Turning now to Figure 4.1- 4.3, there are depicted the various states of locking and unlocking of the box.

The fully locked position is shown in figure 4.1. The shackle (23a) of the padlock (23) encloses the lower end of the sliding bar (12). This bar, when the box is fully locked, is aligned with the slot (10) in the receiver (8) and the locating hole (20) in the base plate (5) of the box to prevent the receiver being withdrawn, thereby locking the gates or barrier to which the receiver is attached. One steel tooth (13) is also attached to bar (12). This tooth is aligned to project out from the bar towards the front of the box. When the box is fully locked, the tooth sits against the lower side of the padlock casing (23), thereby fully preventing any upward vertical movement of the bar (12). The barrier is securely locked, because the bar (12) is held in position in the receiver (8). The tooth projects from the bar by a distance which is a little less than the distance of relative movement between the padlock and its shackle when the padlock is opened with respect to the same when the padlock is closed.

Referring now to figure 4.2, where the padlock (23) has been unlocked, and the padlock body extends out through the housing (18), and the tooth (13) no longer rests against the lower side of the padlock casing. The opening of the shackle causes the padlock body to move beyond the reach of the tooth. This allows the bar (12) freedom to be moved upwards. However, the screw (15), when fully tightened, is threaded above the bar plate (16). Hence, the bar, despite the unlocking of the padlock is only capable of limited upward movement. This restriction in the distance of travel permitted prevents the bar from being withdrawn completely from the shackle of the padlock, but is sufficient to move the bar (12) out of the slot (10) in the receiver (8). The receiver (8), which is attached to a gate or barrier, being thus released, is free to slide from within the lockbox, thereby freeing the attached gate or barrier to move to an open position. Also, the padlock cannot at this point be removed from the box, as the shackle is still blocked by the end of the bar (12).

Figure 4.3 now depicts the situation with the padlock (23) unlocked and the receiver withdrawn from the lockbox. The screw (15) can now be unthreaded so as to no longer impede the bar plate (16). When the screw (15) is withdrawn from the plate (16) the sliding bar is allowed freedom to move a greater distance again, thus allowing it to slide completely out from within the shackle of the unlocked padlock. The padlock can now be removed from the box through the housing (18). The housing is necessary to ensure that the shackle does not swing out of alignment with the body of the padlock. Any padlock will have a given travel in the shackle between its closed and its open position. Therefore the opening into which the padlock is inserted, or is withdrawn via, has a housing (18) extending into the interior of the box. When the padlock is being inserted, the tip of the open arm of the shackle will not clear this housing while being inserted, until the curve of the shackle has entered the slot in the block (19). Equally, when the padlock is being withdrawn, the curve of the shackle does not clear the slot in the block (19) until the open tip of the shackle has entered the confines of the housing (18). Since the shackle is thereby horizontally confined throughout the length of its travel in the box, it cannot swing out of alignment with the box mechanism while being inserted or withdrawn.

To replace the lock, the unlocked padlock’s shackle must be inserted into the opening (18) in 5 front of the box (2). The shackle end fits into the machined slot in the block (19). Once the padlock is in place in the box, the bar (12) is slid vertically into its lowest position and the screw is fully threaded over the plate (16). The receiver (8) is then fully inserted into the back of the box and the bar (12) passes through the receiver slot (10) and the hole (20) in base plate (5) of the box, by means of the grip (11). The padlock can then be secured to its shackles, and the gate or barrier is now securely locked.

The figures thus far have illustrated an embodiment wherein the receiver enters the lockbox via the rear wall of the box with respect to the padlock access housing. Figs 5.1 and 5.2 illustrate alternative embodiments wherein the receiver enters instead via an aperture located in the left-hand (Fig 5.1) or right-hand (Fig 5.2) wall of the box. Such embodiments allow for the various types of barrier to be secured. For instance, a standard swinging gate is most suited to a rear-entry receiver, whereas sliding gates are better facilitated by a side-entry mechanism. In each case, the essential workings are identical. However, it is important to note that the locknut or screw (15) should be located such that it is covered by the projecting plate (7) of the receiver (8).

Claims (9)

Claims

1. A lockbox comprising: a six-sided steel box with a single opening or housing in the box to accommodate a padlock; an opening to accommodate a receiver attached to a banier or gate to be secured; an internal mechanism which is locked in place by the padlock, said mechanism being actuated by a bar extending the full length of the box and projecting through an aperture in the upper face of the box, said actuation being achieved by the upwards and downwards movement of the bar along its main axis, the bar further comprising a plate projecting around the bar in a plane substantially perpendicular to the bar’s main axis, said plate having a shape substantially defined by the cross-section of the internal space of the box, and the bar further comprising a tooth near its lower end, said tooth being aligned such that the underside of the body of the padlock, when in its locked position, rests against the upper end of the tooth when the bar is in its fully lowered position, the bar being aligned such that when it is fully lowered in the box, it passes through the space defined by the shackle and body of the padlock, so as to prevent the withdrawal of the padlock from the box, and when fully raised in the box, it is withdrawn from said space such that the padlock can be withdrawn in its entirety; a fixed plate positioned approximately halfway along the major axis of the box, said plate being welded three of the four internal side walls of the box, and having a hole therein aligned with the hole in the upper face of the box, to accommodate the movement of the bar along its main axis, and an adjustable screw or lock nut accessed via a hole in the side wall of the box which accommodates the receiver, said hole further a cylindrical threaded sleeve fixed to the inner wall of the box to allow the screw to be threaded in or out, such that when the screw is fully threaded in, the bar is prevented from moving further upwards within the box than the point at which the bar plate comes in contact with the screw, and such that the screw head does not project outward from the outer wall of the box. 5

2. The lockbox according to claim 1, wherein the bar plate is of such shape as to be able to pass the sleeve of the screw or lock nut when the screw is threaded out such that it does not project beyond the inner end of the sleeve.

3. The lockbox according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the receiver has a slotted hole such 10 that the bar can pass through the receiver when fully lowered in the box, so as to prevent the receiver from being withdrawn.

4. The lockbox according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the receiver further comprises an upward projecting plate, such that when the receiver is secured in the box, the receiver 15 plate covers the hole into which the screw or locknut has been threaded, to prevent access to the screw when the gate or barrier is locked.

5. The lockbox according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the box further comprises a machined hole in its lower face, said hole being aligned with the axis of movement of 20 the bar, such that the bar at its lowest position passes into said hole.

6. A lockbox according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the box further comprises a machined slot aligned such that the shackle of the padlock, when inserted into the padlock housing, locates into said slot to prevent said shackle from rotating or moving 25 laterally.

7. The lockbox according to any previous claim, wherein the screw is adapted such that it can be unthreaded sufficiently to free the mechanism’s range of movement, but that it cannot be detached from the lockbox casing.

8. The lockbox according to any previous claim wherein the hole through which the bar projects at the upper end of the box further comprises a sleeve to prevent dust and moisture from entering the box.

9. The lockbox according to any previous claim wherein the bar has a handgrip at its upper end.