IE86538B1

IE86538B1 - Security lock

Info

Publication number: IE86538B1
Application number: IE20120394A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Simon Nicholas Lovell
Original assignee: Simon Nicholas Lovell
Priority date: 2011-09-13
Filing date: 2012-09-11
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Also published as: GB2494646B; IE20120394A1; GB2494646A; GB201115818D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vessel such as a heating oil storage tank having a security device for preventing unathorised filling or emptying of the vessel. The vessel comprises an aperture for filling or emptying the vessel. There is a cap sized and shaped to cover the aperture and to engage with a part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel. The security device comprises a barrier couopled to a support to allow movement of the barrier between closed and openp positions. In the closed position, the barrier spans at least part of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed from the vessel. In the open pposition, the barrier is clear of the cap to allow its removal. The security device further comprises a locking mechanism arranged to lock the barrier in the closed position.

Description

SECURITY LOCK Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a security device for preventing unauthorised filling or emptying of a vessel, and to a vessel comprising such a device. In particular, the security device may be used to prevent the theft of fuel such as heating oil from a storage tank.

Background of Invention Vessels are often used to store and contain flowable substances, like liquids, gasses, powders, slurries and the like. As the substances flow, the vessels are easily filled and emptied through an aperture provided in the vessei. Often the aperture is formed in a neck to which a cap may be affixed. Unless the cap is secured to the neck, the contents of the vessel may be removed or may be interfered with.

An example of this is the increasing problem of theft of heating oil. Oil is frequently used for heating premises, whether they be domestic, commercial or otherwise. This may be because the premises are in a remote location where it is not feasible or cost-effective to install a mains gas supply. At such premises, heating oil is typically stored in external vessels, such as storage tanks, ready for use. Similarly, in locations where large quantities of diesel or petrol are required, like farms and transport depots, it is common to store quantities of the diesel or petrol in similar external storage tanks.

A problem with storing large quantities of fuel like heating oil, diesel or petrol in storage tanks is that the fuel is vulnerable to theft. This problem has been exacerbated recently because of the significant rise in the price of fuel. Hence there is increased interest in preventing theft of fuel from storage tanks.

The storage tanks have one or more openings for filling the vessel or for inspection of the contents. One way that thieves can steal fuel is by draining or siphoning the fuel through one of these openings. Unfortunately, the majority of the 6538 caps that cover these openings have no lock. Consequently, there is nothing to stop a thief from simply removing the cap and stealing the fuel from the storage tank.

It wouid therefore be desirable to provide a security device for preventing the unauthorised emptying of a vessel like a storage tank, as well as preventing tampering with the contents of the vessel. It wouid also be desirable to provide a security device that may be retrofitted to existing vessels.

An example of a security device for preventing theft of heating oil from a storage tank is provided by GB-A-2,467,427. This device uses a pin that locks the cap to the neck of the storage tank’s oil inlet. This requires a person to drill a hole through the collar of the cap and through the underlying neck from one side of the cap to the other side. The pin may then be passed through the four holes when aligned and secured to the tank using plates that abut against each side of the cap. Initial installation requires someone to drill accurately through the cap and neck which is very difficult to do as it requires drilling through curved surfaces. Then, in use, fitting the pin is not straightforward as it must be pushed through the width of the neck and then aligned through the holes provided on the far side that are difficult for the user to see and locate. This usually involves the user having to move the pin around until it finds the holes.

It would therefore be desirable to improve on the security device of GB-A20 2,467,427, for example by providing a device that is easier to install and easier to operate.

Summary of Invention Against this background and from a first aspect, the present invention provides a vessel for storing a substance, for example a flowable substance. The vessel comprises a security device for preventing unauthorised filling or emptying of the vessel, or prevents tampering with the contents of the vessel.

The vessel comprises a hollow body for holding a volume of the substance having a surface with at least part of an aperture defined therein for allowing access to an internal volume of the body. The aperture allows the vessel to be filled and/or emptied. The cap is sized and shaped so as to cover the aperture and to engage with a part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel.

The security device comprises a support and a barrier supported by the support. The barrier is coupled to the support in a way that allows movement of the barrier relative to the support. The coupling is such that the barrier may move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the barrier spans at least part of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed from the vessel. The barrier may span all the way across the cap. This is particularly advantageous in embodiments where a single barrier is used to prevent removal of 1° the cap. In the open position, the barrier is clear of the cap thereby allowing the cap to be removed from the vessel. To prevent unauthorised access to the internal volume of the vessel through the aperture, a locking mechanism is provided that locks the barrier in the closed position.

The above arrangement is a simple design that prevents the cap from being 15 removed from the neck. As defined above, the cap must be moved away from the surface of the hollow body to be removed, as it cannot be simply slid aside. The security device works because it provides a physical barrier that gets in the way of the cap when someone tries to remove the cap.

The aperture may be formed in the vessel In different ways. For example, the aperture may simply be a hole that extends just through a wall of the hollow body or through a widened portion of a wall of the body. Alternatively the aperture may be formed by a neck that extends from the hollow body. Thus, the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends is just the surface. In this case, only a section of the aperture extends through the surface of the hollow body, and the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends is both the neck and the surface.

Hence, the hollow body may comprise a neck extending therefrom that defines the aperture. To engage the part, the cap may be sized and shaped so as to fit on the neck to close the aperture and may be provided with a collar sized and shaped to surround the neck. Thus, the collar engages the part of the vessel 30 through which the aperture extends, namely the neck, such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel.

Alternatively, the cap may comprise a male part sized and shaped so as to penetrate the aperture. Hence the cap engages with the part, namely the surface defining the aperture such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel.

Any of the caps described above may be retained relative to the aperture in any number of ways. For example, the cap may simply fit loosely in place, for example either on the neck or within the aperture. Alternatively, the cap may be a simple push fit to have a loose engagement with the part through which the aperture extends. Where more firm engagement is desired, other arrangements may be used. For example, the cap may be retained such that it must be rotated to be removed. To this end, the cap may be provided with a screw thread or a bayonet fitting. For example, where the cap is used with a neck, the outside of the neck may be provided with a screw thread and the inside of the collar of the cap may have a co-operating screw thread. Alternatively, the cap and neck may have complementary bayonet fittings. Alternatively, if a cap with a male part is used, the male part of the cap may be provided with a screw thread, and the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends may be provided with a co-operating screw thread such that the cap may be screwed onto the vessel. Alternatively, the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends and the male part of the cap may be provided with a bayonet fitting. These arrangements are possible with all of the caps and vessels described herein.

With either of the above arrangements, the support and the barrier may be arranged such that, when in the closed position, the separation between the barrier and the cap is less than a depth of the collar or the male part of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed. Thus, the cap may, at most, only be lifted a small amount and, even when fully lifted, the engagement of the collar or male part of the cap means that the cap may not be slid off the vessel or otherwise removed. The barrier may have zero separation from the cap such that the cap may not be lifted at all. Achieving the desired separation is possible through correct design of the length of the support and the depth of the barrier. That is, the support may be configured to hold the barrier at the correct position relative to the cap in the closed position.

Movement of the barrier into the open position may be effected in many different ways. For example, the barrier may simply be removed from the support, and then reattached to the support once more when the vessel needs to be secured.

Alternatively, the barrier may be coupled to the support with a retaining coupling such that the support retains the barrier in both the open and ciosed positions. This arrangement is convenient in that it prevents the barrier being lost or misplaced as it remains attached to the support and hence to the vessel in both open and closed positions. Furthermore, the retaining coupling may be configured to ease movement of the barrier between open and closed positions.

For example, the barrier may be pivotably coupled to the support to allow the barrier to rotate between the open and closed positions. This provides a very easy method of use. An authorised user may simply unlock the barrier and then swing the barrier out of the way of the cap to gain access to the vessel. When finished with the vessel, the user may simply swing the barrier back into the closed position and lock it into place once more.

The barrier may be slideably coupled to the support to ailow the barrier to slide between the open and closed positions. Again, this allows a very easy method of operation. A user may simply slide the barrier away from the cap to allow the cap to be removed. The support may retain the barrier during the movement. For example, the barrier may slide through a retaining channel. A coupling that allows both a pivoting and sliding motion of the barrier may be used, Optionally, the security device comprises a hole provided in the support and a hole provided in the barrier such that, in the closed position, the holes are aligned. When the barrier is moved away from the closed position, the holes move out of alignment. Then, at least a part of the locking mechanism may extend through the aligned holes. The locking mechanism will prevent the barrier from being moved out of the closed position. In any of the embodiments described herein, the locking mechanism may be a padlock. In the current embodiment, a shackle of the padlock may be pushed through the aligned holes and locked into position.

Optionally, a second point of support is provided for the barrier. The security device may comprise a further support positioned such that the neck is interposed between the support and the further support. The support, further support and barrier may be arranged such that, in the closed position, the barrier is supported by the support and the further support. Advantageously, this provides support and rigidity to both ends of the barrier where it spans the cap, as opposed to single support embodiments that see the barrier cantilevered over the cap.

As described above, the barrier may be coupied to the support with a retaining coupling such that the support retains the barrier in both the open and closed positions, and may use the pivotable and/or slideable couplings described above. The further support may be used to secure the barrier in position. For example, a hole may be provided in the further support and a hole may be provided in the barrier such that, in the closed position, the holes are aligned. This allows at least a part of the locking mechanism, such as a shackle of a padlock, to extend through the aligned holes.

Where two supports are used, two barriers may also be used with a barrier supported by each of the supports. A further support may be used to support a further barrier in any of the ways described above for the support and the barrier.

The barrier and further barrier may be arranged to extend towards one another when they are both in their closed positions. The locking mechanism may be used to lock the barrier and further barrier together where they meet, thereby preventing the cap from being removed from the neck. For example, the barrier and the further barrier may have holes provided in their ends where they meet that allows at least a part of the locking mechanism to be passed through them. For example, a shackle of a padlock may pass through the two holes. The barrier and the further barrier may overlap with the holes provided in their ends aligned when in their closed positions.

Optionally, the vessel further comprises a further aperture. Such further apertures are often located close to the aperture. On vessels comprising a further aperture, the further aperture may be used, for example, as an inspection aperture to allow the contents of the vessel to be inspected, while the aperture may be used for filling and emptying the vessel. Alternatively, the further aperture may be used for filling and emptying the vessel, while the aperture is used, for example, as an inspection aperture. The vessel may comprise a threaded neck extending from the body with an end of the threaded neck defining the further aperture. The aperture allows access to the internal volume of the hollow body. The security device may further comprise a threaded cap arranged to be screwed onto the threaded neck thereby closing the further aperture. Alternatively, bayonet fittings may be provided on the cap and neck, or other fastening arrangements that require the cap to be rotated before it can be removed from the vessel. A further barrier may be connected to the threaded cap. The cap may be screwed onto the neck such that the further barrier extends towards the aperture, and the barrier that spans the aperture. The barrier and support may be arranged such that the barrier extends in the general direction of the threaded neck. The lengths of the barrier and further barrier may be arranged such that the barrier and further barrier meet. Then, the locking mechanism may be used to secure the barrier to the further barrier. This arrangement prevents the cap and the threaded cap from being removed from the neck and threaded neck respectively. To ease coupling of the barrier and further barrier, the further barrier may be pivotably connected to the further support.

The security device may be either integrally formed in the vessel’s body, or it may be a separate device that is retrofitted to a vessel. For example, the support may be integrally formed with the body or neck. If a further support is used, it may be integrally formed with the body or neck as well. Alternatively, the support may comprise a mount for mounting to the body or neck of the vessel. Mounting to the body is currently preferred. For example, the mount may comprise a flat plate with holes provided therein to allow fasteners to extend therethrough to attach the security device to the body of the vessel. Where a further support is used, advantageously the support and the further support may be provided on a common mount. The common mount may be a collar that extends around the neck and is fastened to the body of the vessel. The collar may completely encircle the neck, or it may be a split collar that extends around only part of the neck. The support and further support may be provided on opposing sides of the collar, i.e. on opposite sides of the neck. Whatever the form of the mount, it may be secured to the body or neck using tamper-proof fastenings. The mount may be secured to the body or neck using any number of methods, such as by using welds, screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives or bonds.

In any of the above embodiments, a variety of locking mechanisms may be used. A padlock has already been described as one option. Another option is an integral bolt provided in the support, coupling member, arm or barrier. For example, the barrier or arm may have a part with a hole that is received within a recess provided in the support, coupling member, further barrier or further arm. A bolt of the support, coupling member, further barrier or further arm may slide though the hole provided in the barrier or arm to lock the barrier or arm in place. Alternatively nuts and bolts may be used in conjunction with aligned holes to lock the security device in place. The nut or bolt head may contain an unusual shape that must be used in conjunction with a correspondingly-shaped tool for increased security.

The vessel may contain a variety of flowable substances such as a powder, a slurry, a gas, a liquid or fuel such as diesel, petrol, fuel oil or heating oil.

From a second aspect, the present invention resides in a kit of parts configured to be assembled into a security device for preventing unauthorised filling or emptying of a substance stored in a vessel. The kit of parts comprises: a base to allow the security device to be fixed to the vessel; a support extending from the base; a first barrier supported by the support, and wherein the first barrier is coupled to the support to allow movement of the barrier relative to the support. The kit of parts further comprises a threaded cap; a second barrier coupled to the threaded cap and extending therefrom. When assembled, the first barrier moves between a closed position in which the first barrier spans the gap between the support and the threaded cap to meet the second barrier, and an open position in which the first barrier is clear of the gap between the support and the threaded cap. The kit of parts further comprises a locking mechanism arranged to allow the first and second barriers to be locked together in the closed position.

Thus the kit of parts defined above allow security devices to be assembled on a vessel like the security devices already described above. Once assembled and installed on a vessel, the combination of barriers prevents unauthorised removal of the cap.

A single base part may be provided from which both supports extend.

Alternatively, separate base parts may be used to provide first and second supports.

As described above, the barriers may be pivotably coupled to supports to allow the barriers to rotate between open and closed positions, or may be slideably coupled to supports to allow the barriers to slide between open and closed positions.

The locking mechanism may comprise a pair of holes that allow a shackle of a padlock to extend through the aligned holes to lock the security device together.

The holes may be provided in the first barrier and the second barrier.

The locking mechanism may also comprise a padiock. The locking mechanism may be integral to a barrier, a support, an arm or a coupling member, like the arrangements previously described.

To allow the security device to be installed on a vessel, the kit of parts may 5 further comprise tamper-proof fastenings. These fastenings may be used to fasten the base or base parts to the vessel. The base or base parts may be provided with holes for receiving the fasteners.

Brief description of the drawings in order that the present invention may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 a is a perspective view of a storage tank showing an oil inlet; Figure 1 b is a perspective view of the storage tank of Figure 1a, with a cap in place on the oil inlet; Figure 2a is detail of an oil inlet of a storage tank like that of Figure 1 a, but further provided with an integral security device that is shown in a closed position; Figure 2b corresponds to Figure 2a but shows the security device in an open 20 position and with the cap removed; Figure 3a, 3b and 3c correspond to a perspective view, a plan view and a side view respectively of a security device; Figure 4 corresponds to a perspective view of a security device; Figure 5 corresponds to a perspective view of a security device; Figure 6a is a perspective view of another security device shown in an open position; Figure 6b shows the security device of Figure 6a in a closed position; Figure 6c shows one part of the security device of Figure 6a; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a security device according to the present invention in position on a storage tank having two inlets; Figure 8a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a storage tank according to the present invention; Figure 8b is a perspective view of a cap for use with the storage tank of figure 8a; Figure 8c is a perspective view of a security device for use with the storage tank of figure 8a; Figure 9a is a perspective view of a security device in position on a storage tank having two inlets in a closed position; Figure 9b corresponds to Figure 9a, but shows the security device in an open position; and Figure 9c is a perspective view of a security device in position on a storage 15 tank having two inlets in a closed position.

Detailed description Figure 1a shows a vessel, in this example, a storage tank 100. The storage 20 tank 100 may be a single skin storage tank, a bunded storage tank, or some other storage tank or container for storing a quantity of flowable substance. Examples of flowable substances have been given above. For the purposes of the following description, an example of a storage tank 100 for containing heating oil is described, although it will be understood that the present invention extends to many other types of vessels.

The storage tank 100 is supported on a base 101, and is provided with an inlet 105 for filling the storage tank 100. This inlet 105 may be used by thieves to siphon heating oil from the storage tank 100. The inlet 105 is provided by an aperture 120 that passes through the centre of a neck 110 that extends from the top of the storage tank 100. It should be appreciated that the neck 110 may alternatively extend from the side of the storage tank 100, from the end of the storage tank 100 or from the bottom of the storage tank 100.

Figure 1 b shows the storage tank 100 of Figure 1 a with a cap 130 in place on the aperture 120 to close off the inlet 105. In this example, the cap 130 is securely fastened to the neck 110 using either complementary screw threads, although a push fit or a loose fit could equally well be used.

The cap 130 prevents vapour from escaping from the storage tank 100 for safety reasons and also prevents contamination of the oil within the storage tank 100. However, the cap 130 does not prevent unauthorised filling or emptying of the storage tank 100. In particular, a thief simply has to remove the cap 130 in order to gain access to the oil, and to be able to siphon the oil from the storage tank 100.

Figures 2a and 2b show a storage tank 100 with an integral security device 200. in particular, these figures are perspective views of an inlet 105 like the inlet shown in Figures 1a and 1b, and further show a security device 200 that prevents the unauthorised removal of the cap 130. As will be described in more detail below, Figure 2a shows the security device 200 in an open position and Figure 2b shows the security device 200 in a closed position.

The security device 200 comprises a barrier in the form of an elongate bar 210 supported by two supports in the form of a pair of pillars 220 and 225 positioned on opposite sides of the neck 110. The pillars 220 and 225 are integral to the storage tank 100. For example, the pillars 220 and 225 may have been moulded as part of the storage tank 100 during manufacture. Alternatively, the pillars 220 and 225 may be permanently fixed to the inside of the storage tank 100, The bar 210 is pivotably connected to the first support 220 by means of a coupling. In this example, the coupling is a fastener 230 (a rivet) that passes through complementary holes provided in the pillar 220 and one end of the bar 210.

A rivet is advantageous as it cannot be easily removed, however, any other fastener such as a nut and bolt, or some form of captive fastener may be used.

The bar 210 may be rotated about the fastener 230 to move between the open position shown in Figure 2a and the closed position shown in Figure 2b.

The bar 210 may be releaseably fastened to the other pillar 225. The bar 210 has a further hole 235 provided at its end that meets the second pillar 225. Where the pillar 225 meets the bar 210, it is provided with an aligned hole 240. When the bar 210 is swung into the closed position, the holes provided in the pillar 225 and bar 210 align and a shackle of a padlock 250 is inserted through the holes 235 and 240.

The padlock may then be locked to secure the bar 210 in place above the cap 130.

With the bar 210 in the closed position shown in Figure 2a, the bar 210 allows very little movement of the cap 130 on the neck 110. The small amount of movement is insufficient for the cap 130 to be removed from the neck 110, and therefore prevents unauthorised filling or emptying of the storage tank 100. To ensure the cap 130 may not be removed from the neck 110, the pillars 220 and 225 are arranged on either side of the neck 110 such that the bar 210 spans the cap 130.

The pillars 220 and 225 have a height such that they support the bar 210 at a desired height above the cap 130. That is, the separation between the top of the cap 130 and the underside of the bar 210 when in the closed position is less than the height of the cap 130. This means that the cap 130 may be unscrewed only a little way, with the collar of the cap 130 still overlapping the side of the neck 110, and with their complementary screw threads stili engaged. Even without screw threads, the overlap of the collar of the cap 130 and the side of the neck 110 will prevent the cap 130 from being removed from the neck 110.

The security device 200 is used as follows. When an authorised user wishes to fill the storage tank 100, the user unlocks and removes the padlock 250. The user may then simpiy swing the bar 210 into the open position where it is clear of the cap 130. The cap 130 may then be unscrewed and the storage tank 100 filfed with oil. Once filling is compete, the user may swing the bar 210 back into the closed position, slide the shackle of the padlock 250 through the bar 210 and pillar 225, and lock the security device 200 into place. As wili be appreciated, this method of operation is very much simpler than that described in GB-A-2,467,427, summarised above.

Figures 3a-c shows a security device 200 which is designed to be retrofittable to an existing storage tank 100. The security device 200 of Figures 3a-c shares many features with the security device of Figures 2a and b. These shared features are labelled with the same reference numerals, both in Figures 2a-b, Figures 3a-c and the following figures.

In contrast to the security device of Figures 2a and b, the security device 200 of Figures 3a-c comprises a base 310 used to attach the security device 200 to the top of the storage tank 100. The pillars 220 and 225 extend upwardly from the base 310, and are provided with a bar 210 as per Figures 2a and b.

The pillars 220 and 225 may be integrally formed with the base 310, for example by machining, moulding or casting. Alternatively, the pillars 220 and 225 may be attached to the base 310 by any means, such as welding, bonding or using fasteners. The base 310 is provided with a plurality of holes 330-335 for securing the base 310 to the top of the storage tank 100. The base 310 is an annular flat plate. When fitted to the oil tank 100, the base 310 surrounds the neck 110 such that the bar 210 spans the cap 130. The height of the pillars 220 and 225 is chosen o to ensure that the bar 210 resides close enough to the top of the cap 130 to prevent its removal. The base 320 is attached to the storage tank 100 using tamper-proof fasteners 340, although other means of attachment is possible (for example, regular fasteners, riveting, welding, bonding, etc).

In Figures 3a-c, the base 310 is annular but need not be.

For example, the base 310 does not need to define a complete annulus but could be split. An example of such an arrangement is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Split bases 310 may be used to save material or to avoid obstructions near the neck 110 for example. Alternatively, the base 310 need not have outside and inside edges that are circular. For example, the base 310 may some other shape such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc or an irregular shape. These shapes may be whole or may be split.

A further difference between Figures 3 to 5 is the size of the security device 200. These are intended for use with caps 130 of difference diameters, Figure 4 being the largest and Figure 5 being the smallest. As wilt be appreciated, the present invention may be embodied in many different sizes to accommodate caps of different diameters and necks of different heights through appropriate choice of bar length and depth, and pillar height.

Figure 6a shows a security device 200 that comprises two matching parts 610. As the two parts 610 are identical, only one will be described hereinafter, it being appreciated that this description applies equally to both parts 610.

Figures 6a-c show that each part 610 comprises a base 310 from which a pillar 220 extends. A cantilevered bar 210 is pivotably coupled to the top of the pillar 220 to allow it to rotate between open and closed positions. As seen in Figures 6a and b, the two parts 605 are placed on either side of the neck 110, with the bar extending over the cap 130. The two parts 610 face each other such that, in their closed positions, the bars 210 extend to meet over the centre of the cap 130.

Each bar 210 is provided with a plurality of holes 365 to allow the bars 210 to be coupled together. The plurality of holes 365 are arranged such that, when the two parts 610 are attached to the storage tank 100, holes on one part 610 are aligned with holes on the other part 610. During installation, the two parts 610 may be placed on the top of the storage tank 100 in an approximate position to either side of the neck 110. With the bars 210 in their closed positions, the position of one or both parts 610 is slightly adjusted until a pair of holes align. The parts 610 may then be fastened to the storage tank 100, using tamper proof fasteners inserted through the holes 365 provided in the base 310.

To prevent unauthorised access to the contents of the storage tank 100, the bars 210 are placed in their closed positions, as shown in Figure 6b. A padlock 250 is fastened through any pair of aligned holes to secure the security device 200 in place, thereby preventing removal of tho cap 130. An authorised user may gain access by simply removing the padlock 250, and moving the bars 210 to their open positions, as shown in Figure 6a.

One of the parts 610 is shown in more detail in Figure 6c. The base 310 is a portion of an annulus. It may be preferable to have a base 310 with a cut-out portion 670 (this optional feature is shown in Figure 6c oniy). The cut-out portion 670 may be necessary, for example, where there is an obstruction near the neck 110. In this example, the pillar 220 is welded to the base 310. The bar 210 is connected to the pillar 220 by means of a fastener 230 (a rivet). A rivet is advantageous as it cannot be easily removed, however, any other fastener such as a nut and bolt, or some form of captive fastener may be used.

Some storage tanks 100 are provided with an inlet 105 and a further inlet 705. The inlet 105 may be used for filling the storage tank 100 with oil, while the further inlet 705 may be used for inspection. Alternatively, the inlet 105 may be used for inspection, while the further inlet 705 may be used for filling the storage tank. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 7, where a further inlet 705 is shown next to the larger inlet 105. Thieves may siphon oif from either inlet 105 or 705, and so both should be secured.

A security device 200 suitable for this task is shown in Figure 7. The security device 200 has a first part 706 and a second part 707. The first part 706 is similar to the part 610 of Figures 6a-c, although it has a different shape to the base 310 and the bar 210 is longer to extend all the way over the cap 130 and beyond. The first part 706 is secured on the storage tank 100 such that the bar 210 extends towards the further inlet 705. In this embodiment, the end 211 of the bar 210 is approximately U-shaped, as seen clearly in Figure 7. The end 211 comprises a pair of tabs 212 extending transverse to the bar 210 to constrain the bar 210 and arm 750 to be parallel.

The second part 707 comprises a screw cap 730 designed to screw onto a co-operating screw thread provided on the neck 710 of the further iniet 705. The screw cap 730 had attached thereto an arm 750 provided with holes 760. The arm 750 is joined to the screw cap 730 via a rotatable joint 770. The rotatable joint 770 consists of a lug 771 which is fixed to the cap 730 (for example, the lug 771 may be cast as part of the cap 730, or the lug 771 may be welded to the cap 730, or the lug 771 may be fastened using a fastener from the inside of the cap 730). The fug 771 fits through a hole 772 in the arm 750. A retaining pin 773 is fixed through the lug 771 to prevent the lug 771 from being removed from the hole 772. The arm 750 may rotate on the lug 771 about an axis perpendicular to the arm 750 to allow the arm 750 to lift up and away from the surface of the screw cap 730.

The screw cap 730 is rotated on the neck 710 to be tight, but slackened off if necessary to ensure that the arm 750 extends to meet the bar 210 of the first part 706. As will be appreciated, the rotatable joint 770 means that the screw cap 730 need be slacked off by around half a turn at most. The end of the arm 750 is received within the U-shaped end 211 of the bar 210. The holes 760 of the arm 750 align with the holes provided in the bar 210 such that the arm and bar may be secured together with a padlock 250. Alignment of the holes is ensured at installation when the base 310 of the first part 706 is fastened to the top of the storage tank 100.

In operation, to gain access to the inlet 105, an authorised user may remove the padlock 250, rotate the bar 210 and arm 750 to their open positions, and remove the cap 130. The reverse operation is performed to secure the storage tank 100 once finished. Similarly, to gain access to the further inlet 705, an authorised user may remove the padlock 250, rotate the bar 210 and arm 750 to their open positions, and unscrew the threaded cap 730.

While the embodiments described above all have a cap 830 that sits on a neck 110, the storage tank 100 need not have a neck 110. instead the aperture 120 may be formed in the top or side of the storage tank 100. Figure 8a shows an example of a storage tank 100 with an inlet 805 which comprises an aperture 120 which has been formed in the top of the storage tank 100. The aperture 120 also has a side 810. Figure 8b shows a cap 830 which may be securely fastened to the aperture to close off the inlet 805. In this example, the cap 830 has a male part 835 which is sized and shaped to fit within the aperture 120. The male part 835 has a screw thread which is complementary with a screw thread on the side 810 of the aperture 120. An afternative fitting could equally well be used, for example, a bayonet fitting, or a push fit, or a loose fit. The cap 830 may have one or more wings 832 which make it easier for the user to rotate the cap when fastening the cap to the storage tank 100.

It will be appreciated that the cap 830 may be secured in place by any security device described above, except the height of the pillars may be lower since the inlet 805 does not have a neck. Figure 8c shows an example of a security device 200 securing the cap 830 is place on a storage tank 100having a further inlet 705 comprising a threaded neck 710. The security device 200 is the same as the security device 200 as shown in the embodiment of figure 7, except the height of the pillar 220 is lower since the inlet 805 does not have a neck. The height of the pillar 220 is again such that they support the bar 210 at a desired height above the cap 830. That is, the separation between the top of the cap 830 and the underside of the bar 210 when in the closed position is tess than the height of the cap 830. This means that the cap 830 may be unscrewed only a little way, with the male part 835 of the cap 830 still penetrating the aperture 120 and with the complementary screw threads of the male part 835 and the side of the aperture 810 still engaged. Even without screw threads, the penetration of the male part 835 into the aperture 120 will prevent the cap 830 from being removed from the storage tank 100, The base plate 310 of the security device 200 is shown attached between the aperture 120 and the cap 830, although the base plate 310 may equally well be attached to the surface of the storage tank 100.

The embodiments of the invention described above show the security device 200 being attached to the storage tank 100, either as an integral part of the storage tank (figures 2a and 2b) or by attaching the security device 200 to the storage tank 100 using a base 310 (figures 3-8). However, the security device 200 may instead be attached to a pair of caps 130 that are both retained on the vessel by rotatable fasteners, such as screw threads.

Figure 9a shows a security device 200 on a storage tank 100 having an inlet 105 and a further inlet 705. In this example, the inlet 105 comprises a neck 110 which is closed off with a cap 930, and an inlet 705 which comprises a neck 710 which is closed off with a cap 935. The caps 930 and 935 are securely fastened to the necks 110 and 710 using either complimentary screw threads, a bayonet fitting, or by any other fastening or fitting where the caps 930 or 935 must be rotated about the neck 110 to be removed from the vessel. Alternatively, the inlet 105 and/or further inlet 705 may not comprise a neck 110 and 710. Instead, the inletl 05 and/or further inlet 705 may comprise an aperture 120 and the caps 930/935 may comprise penetrating male parts as described in relation to the embodiment of figure 8 above.

An arm 210 is attached to the first cap 930. In this example, the arm 210 is pivotally connected to the cap 930 using a support 920. The bar 210 is pivotably connected to the support 920 by means of a coupling. In this example, the coupling is a fastener 230 (a rivet) that passes through complementary holes provided in the support 220 and one end of the arm 210. A rivet is advantageous as it cannot be easily removed, however, any other fastener, such as a nut and bolt, or some form of captive fastener may instead be used.

The arm 210 need not always be pivotally connected, and may instead be fixed to the support 920 so that the arm 210 cannot move. For example, the arm 210 may be fixed by welding, or using adhesive, or using two or more fasteners.

Alternatively, the arm 210 and the support 920 may be formed as a single piece, or the arm 210 and support 920 may be formed integrally with the cap 930, for example, by machining, or casting or moulding. Alternatively, the arm 210 may be slideably connected to the support 920, or the arm 210 may be removably coupled to the support 920.

Alternatively, there need be no support 920, and the arm 210 may be fixed directly to the cap 930. For example, the arm 210 may be welded in place on the cap 930, or attached with a fastener, in fact, the arm 210 may be integral to the cap 930, for example, the arm 210 and cap 930 may have been formed together by moulding, casting or machining. Alternatively, arm 210 and cap 930 may be formed separately and may be attached together by any means which prevents the arm 210 from rotating relative to the caps 930.

Regardless of how the arm 210 and cap 930 are formed, and regardless of whether a support 920 is employed, the arm 210 and/or support 920 once coupled together cannot rotate independently of the cap 930. If independent rotation were possible in the secured position, then it would be possible to remove cap 930 or cap 935 from the storage tank 100. So, the arm 210 and/or the support 920 may be attached to the cap 930 in any way which prevents the arm 210 and/or support 920 from rotating on the cap 930. For example, the arm 210 and/or support 920 may be formed integrally with the cap 930, such as by moulding, casting or machining, or the arm 210 and/or support 920 may be formed separately from the cap 930 and attached together by any means which prevents the arm 210 and/or support 920 from rotating on the cap 930, for example, the arm 210 and/or support 920 may be attached to the cap 930 using a fastener and a keyed joint, or the support 920 may be attached to the caps 930 using two or more fasteners. The arm 210 may for example extend directly from the top of the cap 930 or from the side of the cap 930 without the need for an intermediate support 920. The arm 210 may be rotated about the fastener 230 to move between the closed position shown in Figure 9a and the open position shown in Figure 9b.

A coupling member is attached to the second cap 935. In this example, the coupling member is a lug 925. The lug 925 may be integrally formed with the cap 935; alternatively the lug 925 may be attached to the cap 935, for example such that the lug 925 is fixed in position on the cap 935.. The lug 925 may be formed or attached by any of the means described above in relation to forming or attaching the arm 210 and/or the support 920 to the cap 930.

The arm 210 may be releasably fastened to the lug 925. The arm 210 has a plurality of holes 940 provided at its end which enable the security device 200 to fit on a number of different storage tanks 100 where the spacing between the inlet 105 and the further inlet 705 may be different. When the arm 210 is swung into the closed position, a hole 240 provided in the lug 925 and one of the holes 940 in the arm 210 align and a shackle of a padlock 250 is inserted through the holes 940 and 240. The padlock 250 may then be locked to secure the arm 210 in place, joining the caps 930 and 935 together.

With the arm 210 in the closed position shown in Figure 9a, the arm 210 10 prevents either of the caps 930 and 935 from being rotated, thereby preventing the caps 930 and 935 from being unscrewed and removed from the storage tank 100,. Consequently, unauthorised filling or emptying of the storage tank 100 is prevented.

When an authorised user wishes to remove either of the caps 930 or 935 to fill or empty the storage tank 100, or for any other reason, the padlock 250 may be unlocked and removed. The arm 210 may then be swung out of the way by pivoting the arm 210 on the coupling 230, and they may then simply unscrew either of the caps 930 or 935 and remove them from the vessel 100, as shown in Figure 9b.

In the above, the arm 210 has been described as being pivotally connected to the cap 930. However, the arm 210 need not be pivotally connected and may instead be fixed in place directly to the cap 930, for example, the arm 210 may be welded in place to the cap 930 and/or the support, or the arm 210 may be fixed in place with a fastener. In fact, the arm 210 may be integral to the caps, for example, the arm 210 and cap 930 may have been formed together by moulding, casting or machining.

Figure 9c shows an example of a security device 200 which is the similar to the security device 200 shown in Figure 9a and Figure 9b. The difference is that the caps 930 and 935 both have an arm 210 which extends from each of the caps 930 and 935, instead of having a single arm 210 which extends between the two caps 930 and 935. The arm 210 may either be the same length or may be different lengths.

In the ends of the arms 210 are a plurality of holes 940. With the arms 210 in the closed position, the arms 210 extend towards one another and at least one hole 940 in each of the arms 210 align. A shackle of a padlock 250 is inserted between the holes 940 in each of the arms, thereby securing the arms 210 in the closed position. This prevents the caps 930 and 935 from being unscrewed or unfastened from the storage tank 100, and therefore prevents unauthorised filling or emptying of the storage tank 100.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

All of the above embodiments have a rotating bar 210. However, the bar 210 need not rotate between open and closed positions (or arm 210, and hence the following applied to the arm 210 as well as to the bar 210). For example, the bar 210 may slide between open and closed positions. For exampie, the pillar 220, 225 may be provided with a hoop shaped and sized to receive the bar 210. The bar 210 may be slid through the hoop. When locked in position, the bar 210 will not be able to be removed from the hoop. The bar 210 may be provided with one or more enlarged portions to prevent its removal from the pillar 220,225 even when not locked in place.

Embodiments above show security devices 200 having a pair of pillars 220 and 225. However, embodiments are contemplated having only a single piilar 220. For example, a single pillar 220 may be used to support a cantilevered bar 210 over the cap 130, for example in a manner akin to one of the parts 610 of Figures 6a-c. Each bar 210 may be made longer to span the entire width of the cap 130. To secure the bar in place 210, holes may be provided in the pillar 220 and the bar 210 where they overlap at the joint 230. The holes align when the bar 210 is in the closed position, but move out of alignment when the bar 210 is moved away from the closed position. This allows a padlock 250 to be inserted through the holes in the closed position, thereby preventing the bar 210 from being moved. it should be appreciated that the pillars 220 and 225 need not necessarily be placed such that the bar 210 spans a diameter of the cap 130. Although such an arrangement is preferred, the bar 210 may span the cap 130 away from a diameter and still function to prevent removal of the cap 130.

Elongate bars 210 are described above. Other shapes of bar may be used. For example, rather than using a bar 210, a disc to cover the cap may be used. Alternatively, cross-shaped bars may be used to resist twisting of the cap 130 in an attempt to remove the cap 130. Thus, the shape of the bar 210 may be varied. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments above are readily adapted to accommodate various sizes and shapes of caps 130 and necks 110. For example, square caps, oval caps, hexagonal caps, irregularly-shaped caps, etc may all be secured.

Alternatively, the bar 210 need not be retained by a pillar 220,225 at all times.

For example, the bar 210 may be releasably fastened to each pillar 220,225. For example, each end of the bar 210 may be secured with a padlock 250 when in the closed position. With each padlock 250 removed, the bar 210 may moved to its open position simply by lifting the bar 210 from the pillars 220,225.

Means other than a padlock 250 may be used to secure the bar 210. For example, integral locks may be provided in either a bar 210 or a pillar 220,225. For example, the integral lock may comprise a sliding bolt in one part that passes through a hole provided in the other part.

The embodiments of Figure 7 and Figure 8 show two-inlet arrangements. In these embodiments, the further iniet 705 had a threaded neck 710. Thus unauthorised removal of the screw cap 730 oould be prevented by stopping unscrewing of the cap 730. Arrangements where a second cap 730 without a threaded neck 710 may also be protected. For example, the twin-bar 210 security device 200 of Figures 6a-c may be used, with one part 610 placed on opposite sides of the pair of inlets 105, 705 such that the pair of bars span both caps 130, 730 and meet in the middle.

Claims

1. A vessef for storing a substance, the vessel comprising a security device for preventing unauthorised filling or emptying of the vessel, and the vessel further comprising: 5 a hollow body for holding a volume of the substance, the hollow body comprising a surface with at least part of an aperture defined therein for allowing access to an internal volume of the hollow body for filling or emptying the vessel; a further aperture defined in the surface of the hollow body for allowing 10 access to the internal volume of the hollow body; a cap sized and shaped to cover the aperture and to engage with a part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel; 15 and the security device comprising: a support; a barrier supported by the support, and wherein the barrier is coupled to the support to allow movement of the barrier relative to the support between a closed position in which the barrier spans at least part of 20 the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed from the vessel and an open position in which the barrier is clear of the cap thereby allowing the cap to be removed from the vessel; and a further cap arranged to be fastened to the vessel thereby closing the further aperture; and 25 a further barrier connected to the further cap; wherein: the barrier and support are secured to or integral with the hollow body and are focated to a side of the aperture and are arranged such that the barrier extends in the general direction of the further aperture; 30 the further cap is configured such that when it is fastened to the vessel, the further barrier extends in the general direction of the barrier, the lengths of the barrier and further barrier being such that they may meet; and a locking mechanism arranged to securely couple the barrier and further barrier to lock the barrier in the closed position and prevent the cap 5 and further cap from being removed from the vessel.

2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the hoilow body comprises a neck extending therefrom that defines the aperture, and wherein the cap is sized and shaped so as to fit on the neck to close the aperture and comprises a collar sized and shaped to -to surround the neck thereby engaging with the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel.

3. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the support and the barrier are arranged such 15 that, when in the closed position, the separation between the barrier and the cap is less than a depth of the collar of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed.

4. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a male part sized and 20 shaped so as to be able to penetrate the aperture thereby engaging with the part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel.

5. The vessel of claim 4, wherein the support and the barrier are arranged such 25 that, when in the closed position, the separation between the barrier and the cap is less than a depth of the male part of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed.

6. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is coupled to the 30 support with a retaining coupling such that the support retains the barrier in both the open and closed positions.

7. The vessel of claim 6, wherein the barrier is pivotably coupled to the support to allow the barrier to rotate between the open and closed positions.

8. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is slideably coupled to the support to allow the barrier to slide between the open and closed positions.

9. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the hollow body comprises a threaded neck extending therefrom that defines the further aperture, and wherein the further cap is sized and shaped so as to screw on to the threaded neck.

10. The vessel of claim 1 or claim 9, wherein the further barrier is pivotably connected to the further cap.

11. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support is integrally formed with the body, and any further support is integrally formed with the body.

12. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a mount for mounting to the body.

13. The vessel of claim 12, wherein the mount is fixed to the body using tamperproof fastenings.

14. The vessel of any of claim 2 or any of claim 3 to 13 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the support is integrally formed with the neck, and any further support is integrally formed with the neck.

15. The vessel of any of claim 2 or any of claim 3 to 13 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the support comprises a mount for mounting to the neck, and any further support comprises a mount for mounting to the neck.

16. The vessel of claim 15, wherein the mount is fixed to the neck using tamperproof fastenings.

17. The vessel of any preceding claim wherein the locking mechanism comprises a padlock.

18. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the substance is a slurry, a gas or a liquid such as fuel oil or heating oil.

19. A kit of parts configured to be assembled into a security device for preventing unauthorised filling or emptying of a substance stored in a vessel, the vessel comprising: a hollow body for holding a volume of the substance, the hollow body comprising a surface with at least part of an aperture defined therein for aiiowing access to an internal volume of the hollow body for filling or emptying the vessel; a further aperture defined in the surface of the hollow body for allowing access to the internal volume of the hollow body; a cap sized and shaped to cover the aperture and to engage with a part of the vessel through which the aperture extends such that the cap must be moved away from the surface to be removed from the vessel; the kit of parts comprising: a base to allow the security device to be fixed to the vessel; a support extending from the base; a first barrier supported by the support, and wherein the first barrier is coupled to the support to allow movement of the barrier relative to the support; a threaded cap arranged to be fastened to the vessel thereby closing the further aperture; a second barrier coupled to the threaded cap and extending therefrom; and a locking mechanism; wherein, when assembled with the base fixed to the vessel and the threaded cap fastened to the vessel closing the further aperture: the barrier and support are located to a side of the aperture and are arranged such that the barrier extends in the general direction of the further aperture; 4 * the second barrier extends in the general direction of the barrier, the lengths of the barrier and the second barrier being such that they may meet; and the first barrier is enabled to move between a closed position in 5 which the barrier spans at least part of the cap thereby preventing the cap from being removed from the vessel and an open position in which the barrier is clear of the cap; wherein, the locking mechanism is arranged to allow the first and second barriers to be locked together when in the closed position.

20. The kit of parts of claim 19, wherein the first barrier is coupied to the support with a retaining coupling such that the support retains the first barrier in both the open and closed positions. 15

21. The kit of parts of claim 20, wherein the first barrier is pivotably coupled to the support to allow the first barrier to rotate between the open and closed positions.

22. The kit of parts of any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the first barrier is slideably coupled to the support to allow the first barrier to slide between the open and closed 20 positions.

23. The kit of parts of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a hole provided in the first barrier and a hole provided in the second barrier such that, in the closed position, the holes are aligned for allowing a shackle 25 of a padlock to extend through the aligned holes.

24. The kit of parts of any of claims 19 to 23, further comprising tamper-proof fastenings for mounting the security device to the vessel.