IL131768A

IL131768A - Lockable guard for vending machine

Info

Publication number: IL131768A
Application number: IL13176899A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Mul T Lock Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-06
Filing date: 1999-09-06
Publication date: 2004-01-04
Also published as: AU6862700A; WO2001018758A1; IL131768A0

Abstract

A lockable guard (10) for a vending machine, comprising: a frame (12) fastenable to a vending machine; a locking bolt receiving member (16) secured to an inner surface of said frame; a cover member (20) hinged to said frame by means of a hinge (22); a lock (24) secured to said cover member; and a dead bolt (32) operatively connected to and actuable by said lock, said dead bolt being arranged for selective locking enegagement with said locking bolt receiving member.

Description

131768/2 m rmo t?r>w a LOCKABLE GUARD FOR VENDING MACHINE MUL-T-LOCK TECHNOLOGIES LTD. a»i>i C: 35268 131768/2 35268rav.doc 29-Aug-99 LOCKABLE GUARD FOR VENDING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to vending machine locks and particularly to a lockable guard for a vending machine lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lockable guards for protecting vending machines, coin operated switches and other related metering devices, are known. The following US Patents are related to such lockable guards: 2,716,882; 3,444,712; 3,857,264 and 4,350,032.

US Patent Application 09/324,717 to Brisson describes a high security cover for a vending machine lock. Vending machine locks are generally inexpensive, low security locks. The purpose of the Brisson cover is to prevent unauthorized access to vending machines with a high degree of security. The security cover includes a frame mountable on a vending machine by two or more fasteners. The frame is fittable over a lock of the vending machine. Hinged to the frame is a closure member which includes a lock and locking element. By actuating the lock, the locking element can be brought into locking engagement with a latch secured to the frame, thereby locking the security cover over the vending machine lock. A disadvantage of the Brisson cover is that the locking element, which is spring loaded, can be opened by application of an external, strong force, without the use of an authorized key, thereby defeating the high security which is sought.

Appendix A is a copy of US Patent Application 09/324,717, since abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a lockable guard for a vending machine lock, which improves the high security cover of Brisson. The lockable guard of the present invention provides a dead bolt action with a high level of locking security. The lockable guard has a modular type of construction for ease of manufacture.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a lockable guard for a vending machine, including a frame fastenable to a vending machine, a locking bolt receiving member secured to an inner surface of the frame, a cover member hinged to the frame by means of a hinge, a lock secured to the cover member, and a dead bolt operatively connected to and actuable by the lock, the dead bolt being arranged for selective locking engagement with the locking bolt receiving member.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the lock includes a cam with a tongue protruding therefrom, the tongue being received in a notch formed in the dead bolt.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the locking bolt receiving member has an aperture formed therein, the dead bolt being arranged for selective movement into and out of the aperture.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cylinder guard is mounted on an outer face of the cover member over the lock, the cylinder guard having a keyway opening formed therein aligned with a keyway of the lock.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cylinder guard includes a pair of integrally formed lugs which extend through openings formed in the cover member, the lugs having holes formed therein in which the dead bolt is slidingly mounted.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hinge is mounted to the cover member by means of a bracket, and the lock is secured to the cover member by means of a washer, and the bracket abuts against the washer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are simplified, front perspective and rear perspective illustrations, respectively, of a lockable guard for a vending machine, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 3 and 4 are simplified, front and rear view illustrations, respectively, of the lockable guard of Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 5 is a simplified sectional illustration of the lockable guard of Figs. 1 and 2, taken along lines V-V in Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1-5 which illustrate a lockable guard 10 for a vending machine (not shown), constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Lockable guard 10 preferably includes a frame 12 fastenable to a vending machine (not shown) by means of one or more bolts 14 (Figs. 1 and 2). A locking bolt receiving member 16, such as U-shaped bracket, for example, is preferably secured to an inner surface of frame 12 (Fig. 5). Locking bolt receiving member 16 is preferably formed with an aperture 18 (Fig. 5).

A cover member 20 is preferably hinged to frame 12 by means of a hinge 22. Frame 12 and cover member 20 are preferably constructed of a sturdy material, such as hardened steel. A lock 24, such as a cylinder lock, is secured to cover member 20, preferably by means of a washer 26 (Figs. 4 and 5). Hinge 22 is preferably secured to cover member 20 by means of a bracket 28, which may be secured to hinge 22 by screws 30. Bracket 28 preferably abuts against washer 26 (Fig. 4), thereby facilitating assembly of lockable guard 10. Thus, bracket 28 not only serves the purpose of mounting hinge 22, but also serves the purpose of facilitating mounting lock 24 with washer 26.

Lock 24 may be any kind of cylinder lock, such as a telescoping pin cylinder lock. A dead bolt 32 is operatively connected to and actuable by lock 24. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, lock 24 includes a cam 34 with a tongue 36 protruding therefrom (Fig. 4). Tongue 36 is received in a notch 38 formed in dead bolt 32. Dead bolt 32 may spring loaded by means of a spring 40. As can be seen best in Figs. 2 and 5, dead bolt 32 is arranged for selective movement into and out of aperture 18, by suitable rotation of lock 24 with an authorized key (not shown). It is readily seen that dead bolt 32 can only be thrown by the action of tongue 36, thus providing a high level of locking security. This is in contrast with the Brisson cover of the prior art, wherein the locking element can be opened by application of an external, strong force, without the use of an authorized key.

A cylinder guard 42 is preferably mounted on an outer face of cover member 20 over lock 24. Cylinder guard 42 has a keyway opening 44 formed therein aligned with a keyway 46 of lock 24 (Fig. 3). Cylinder guard 42 preferably includes a pair of integrally formed lugs 48 which extend through openings 50 formed in cover member 20. Lugs 48 have holes 52 formed therein in which dead bolt 32 is slidingly mounted (Fig. 2). Thus, cylinder guard 42 not only serves the purpose of protecting lock 24, but also serves the purpose of slidingly mounting dead bolt 32.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

High Security Cover for a Vending Machine Lock The present invention relates to 'a high security cover for a .vending machine lock. The invention is most suitable for protecting the lock on a handle typically mounted on the front door of a modem vending machine. Such handle is mounted to the door and is releasable, when unlocked for restocking , coin collection or servicing, to pull out from the door to permit rotation of the handle until the door is able to be opened on its hinges. When the vending machine is in use with its door locked closed, the lock on the handle is exposed to the risk of impact damage or picking from vandals or thieves attempting to break into the machine. Therefore, there is a need for protection of the lock while allowing for relatively easy restocking, coin collecting and servicing of the machine.

Security covers for protection of vending machine locks are known. However, these typically are not easy to add onto existing vending machines and, when added, are not sufficiently secure given the ingenuity and/or destructiveness of vandals and thieves. As an example, there is such a cover disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,350,032. This consists of a bracket mounted around the lock and. a closure, i.e. a door, hinged to the bracket such that, when closed, the closure defines an enclosure containing the lock that can be locked with a locking means.

Unfortunately, the locking means for such enclosure is awkward to use in that access is provided through an opening in the closure which prevents an operator from seeing the locking means and further requires that the operator work a key for the locking means by feel with fingers inserted through the opening. Also, the bracket is attached with rivets to the vending machine door, which is not so secure against severe vandalism, as well as being not so quick and easy to install as would be desired. Furthermore, this prior art cover includes, as the locking means for the closure, a plurality of sliding bolts and holes in the outer frame of the bracket as latches for the bolts. Such frame and locking means is therefore particularly vulnerable to vandalism. In view of the great numbers of vending machines in use, a much more easily installed and much more secure cover is clearly needed.

The present invention is based partly on the realization that the typical modern vending machine lock is mounted to the vending machine by fasteners secured only on the inside of the the vending machine lock even under the influence of severe forms of vandalism. — ^ Summary of the Invention The invention therefore provides for a security cover for a lock of a door of a vending machine, where such lock is mounted on the vending machine with a plurality of fasteners. The security cover comprises a frame mountable on the vending machine by at least two of the fasteners. The frame includes a back having an opening sized to allow access to the lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of the door. The cover further comprises a lockable closure mounted on the frame and movable, when unlocked, from a closed position to an open position whereby there is provided the access to the lock and, when in the open position, movable to a closed and locked position whereby the lock is covered and the access is restricted thereby. The cover further comprises locking means for selectively locking and unlocking the closure to the frame. Preferably, the frame includes at least one of the fasteners as a component, most preferably two such fasteners. Such fasteners may be unremovably attached to the frame, preferably at the back face thereof. The back face is the frame mounting surface that is to be in direct contact with the vending machine mounting surface.

The invention, in further aspect, also provides for a security cover for a lock of a door of a vending machine which cover comprises a frame mountable on the vending machine. The mountable frame includes a perimeter frame and an opening sized to allow access to the lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of the door. The cover further comprises a lockable closure having an outer frame, wherein the lockable closure is mounted on the mountable frame and movable, when Unlocked, from a closed position to an open position whereby there is provided the access to the lock and, when in the open position, movable to a closed and locked position whereby the lock is covered and the access is thereby restricted. The cover also includes locking means for selectively locking the closure to the mountable frame. The locking means includes, on or adjacent an inner face of the closure, a movable locking element and a locking element support. The locking element support is attached to the closure apart from the outer frame. The mountable frame also includes securing means releasably to secure the locking element, wherein the securing means is attached to the mountable frame apart from the perimeter frame thereof. Preferably, the locking means includes a key hole lock mounted on the outer face of the closure, which key hole lock is preferably covered by a fixed security cover having an opening therein for access, to the key hole lock for operation of the locking means and consequent opening of the closure. The locking element may be a slide bolt, preferably a spring-loaded slide bolt. The locking element support preferably is a plurality of flanges with holes respectively sized for the slide bolt. The securing means of the mountable frame is also preferably a flange with a hole sized for an end of the slide bolt to pass therethrough.

Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention^ ' Figure 1 is a perspective front elevated view of a high security cover embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a back view of a high security cover embodying the present invention in which the closure is in the closed position over the frame; and Figure 3 is a front view of the high security cover shown in Figure 2.

Description of Preferred Embodiments The high security cover in one preferred embodiment consists of a mountable frame 2 and closure 3 hinged to the frame 2 as seen in Figure 1. The frame 2 and closure 3 preferably are made of thick gage metal, such as ¼" iron or steel, which is highly resistant to deformation from impacts or pressures such as may occur in extreme forms of vandalism. The frame 2 is shown having a back 4, upper and lower perimeter frame edges 5, 6 respectively, and side perimeter frame edge 7. There is a rectangular opening 8 in the back part which is preferably sized to be slightly greater than the outer dimension of a vending machine door lock (not shown). Such door lock, which is not part of the present invention, may be of a kind which includes a lockable, releasable handle. Such handle, when unlocked with a key,, can be released from its closed position against the door and pulled out from the door. Once so pulled, the handle can be rotated on its shaft until the door lock mechanism is unlocked so as to permit the vending machine door to be opened. The opening 8 therefore allows for an operator to have access to the key lock of such handle, and for such handle to be pulled out from the door in the usual manner whereupon it can be rotated for unlocking of the door without restriction by any part of the frame 2.

The above described vending machine door lock is mounted into the vending machine door by means typically of a fastener adjacent each lateral end of the handle. These fasteners are installed inside the outer cover of the vending machine door so as to be inaccessible to vandals and thieves who otherwise would be able to attempt to manipulate or damage part of the mounting structure of the door lock. With installation of the present invention, such fasteners | !, ^e /; preferably are removed and replaced with fasteners 26, 27 (shown in Figure 2) which extend respectively from a back face of the back 4 of the frame 2 through corresponding openings made in the outer cover of the vending machine door. The corresponding openings typically would be ) '.'ης |έ made by the installer of the present security cover by removing the fasteners, which ordinarily secure the door lock on the inside of the vending machine door, and drilling out the resultant holes from where the fasteners were located so that such holes are extended to be completely through the door to the exterior of the vending machine. The fasteners 26, 27 extending from the\ 1,'ne frame 2 can then be inserted during installation through said holes in the outer cover of the door and secured by nuts on the inside of the door. The fasteners 26, 27 therefore function to secure the frame 2 to the vending machine door and, since they occupy the same locations as the original but removed fasteners, to secure the door lock in its usual position on the door. Preferably, the I i fasteners 26, 27 are welded to the back face of the back 4 of the frame 2 with an appropriate separation between them for insertion into the corresponding holes made in the outer cover of the vending machine door. When attached in such manner, the fasteners 26, 27 are completely hidden behind the frame when it is mounted on the vending machine. In an alternative embodiment it is lt'm I* conceivable that the fasteners 26, 27 could be extended from mounts on the frame 2 through -4- respective openings made in the back 4 of the frame 2 and fastened on or adjacent an inner face of the back 4, although this would thereby less preferably expose ends of the fasteners when the cover 3 is open. With the preferred embodiment, a highly secure mounting arrangement for the security cover is realized in that the fasteners are completely hidden from view and access from outside the vending machine. Furthermore, the fasteners are extremely sturdy and strongly secured by preferably removable nuts on the inside of the vending machine. If preferred, the openings in the vending machine for the fasteners 26, 27 may be drilled out to a larger size to ( accommodate larger fasteners than fasteners that may originally have been used in the vending machine -to secure the lock.

Other aspects of the preferred embodiment also contribute to the high security function of the cover. The closure 3 has perimeter top 9, bottom 10 and side 11 edges which, when the closure is in a closed position over the frame 2, substantially completely covers the top 5, bottom 6 and side 7 edges respectively of the frame 2. This better protects the mounted frame 2 and its components from the forces of direct impacts occurring during incidents of vandalism. There is also a sturdy hinge 12 which protects the hinge side of the frame when the closure is in the closed position.

The closure 3 preferably is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the closure in the closed position over the frame 2. Different types and configurations of the locking mechanism may be used in the present invention, but only a preferred locking mechanism is disclosed in detail herein. The preferred locking mechanism preferably comprises a key hole lock 13 mounted on an outer face 14 of the closure 3. The key hole lock preferably is a "pick-proof type such as is manufactured by Mul-T-Lock Ltd. of Israel. The key hole lock is also preferably impact protected by a sturdy fixed metal cover 15 which is mounted on the outer face 14. The fixed cover 15 includes an opening 30 (see Figure 3) to allow for key access to the key hole lock. The key hole lock is operably connected to a cam 16, secured by nut 22, which in turn is operable to act on a slide bolt 17 via the ring 21 secured to the slide bolt 17. The slide bolt 17 is slidably mounted through openings in flanges 18, 19. A ring 20 fixed on the slide bolt 17 prevents the slide bolt 17 from sliding out of the flange 18 under pressure of the spring 23 positioned between the flange 18 and ring 21. Thus, when the locking mechanism is operated to open the closure by turning a key in the key hole lock 13, the cam 16 turns and acts on the ring 21 so as to push the slide bolt in the direction causing contraction of the spring 23 until the slide bolt 17 has moved sufficiently to disengage end 24 from the latch 25 on the frame 2, but without causing end 24 to slide out of the support hole of flange 19. The latter is ensured by the stop 31 which prevents the ring 21 (fixed to the slide bolt) from moving past the stop 31. The stop 32 acts to prevent the cam 16 from rotating too far under pressure of the spring 23 acting via the ring 21. In view of the spring loading of slide bolt 17, the closure will be automatically and assuredly locked once the closure is put into the closed position and the key is withdrawn from the key hole lock. This reduces the chances of the security cover being left unlocked due to operator error. It is also possible, by means of correct positioning and bevelling of the end 24, to enable retraction of the slide bolt merely upon forced contact with the latch 25, i.e. by means of an operator simply _ applying closing pressure to the closure without key operation of the key hole lock, thus providing a convenient and secure means for closing and simultaneously locking the closure.

An important additional but optional security feature of the presently discussed embodiment may be obtained by mounting the flanges 18, 19 and latch 25, which are of robust construction, apart from the outer frame edges 9, 10 and 1 1 of the closure 3 and apart from the perimeter frame edges 5, 6 and 7 of the frame 2 respectively. The outer frame edges of the closure 3, and indirectly the perimeter frame edges of the frame 2 covered by the closure 3, are particularly vulnerable to impact and other pressures that may be applied during vandalism and thieving efforts. Such efforts would also expose any inner components connected to the edges to a greater risk of distortion, breakage or other damage compared to when such components are not so connected, thereby affecting the overall security function of the security cover. Hence, by mounting the flanges 18, 19 and latch 25 apart from the outer and perimeter frames respectively, there is much less chance of damage occurring to those parts of the preferred locking mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, such flanges and latch are secured to the inner faces respectively of the closure 3 and frame 2, to where impacts or pressures applied to the more vulnerable outer and perimeter frames are not directly transferred. It is further preferred to provide for an especially robust flange 19, which is preferably double the thickness of the flange 18, the latter preferably constructed of about Va" thick iron or steel.

. Although the present invention has been illustrated in the foregoing discussion of the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by one skilled in the vending machine and/or locksmith art that variations of such embodiment may be made while not departing from the spirit and scope of the teaching of the present invention.

ABSTRACT There is a security cover for a lock of a door of a vending machine, in cases where such lock is mounted on the vending machine with a plurality of fasteners. The security cover comprises a frame mountable on the vending machine by at least two of the fasteners. The frame includes a back face having an opening sized to allow access to the lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of the door. The cover further comprises a lockable closure, including locking means, mounted on the frame and movable, when unlocked, from a closed position to an open position whereby there is provided the access to the lock and, when in the open position, movable to a closed and locked position whereby the lock is covered and the access is restricted thereby. Preferably, the frame includes at least one of the fasteners as a component, most preferably two such fasteners. Such fasteners may be unremovably attached to the frame, preferably at the back face thereof, which is the frame mounting surface that is to be in direct contact with the vending machine mounting surface.- In another aspect the locking means includes a movable locking element, locking element support and latch which are mounted. apart from perimeter edges of the closure and frame so as to minimize exposure of the locking mechanism to impact or other pressures during severe vandalism or thieving incidents. .

Claims

C L A I M S What is claimed is: 1. A lockable guard for a vending machine, comprising: a frame fastenable to a vending machine; a locking bolt receiving member secured to an inner surface of said frame; a cover member hinged to said frame by means of a hinge; a lock secured to said cover member; and a dead bolt operatively connected to and actuable by said lock, said dead bolt being arranged for selective locking engagement with said locking bolt receiving member. 2. The lockable guard according to claim 1 wherein said lock comprises a cam with a tongue protruding therefrom, said tongue being received in a notch formed in said dead bolt. 3. The lockable guard according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said locking bolt receiving member has an aperture formed therein, said dead bolt being arranged for selective movement into and out of said aperture. 4. The lockable guard according to any of the preceding claims and further comprising a cylinder guard mounted on an outer face of said cover member over said lock, said cylinder guard having a keyway opening formed therein aligned with a keyway of said lock. 5. The lockable guard according to claim 4 wherein said cylinder guard comprises a pair of integrally formed lugs which extend through openings formed in said cover member, said lugs having holes formed therein in which said dead bolt is slidingly mounted. 6. The lockable guard according to any of the preceding claims wherein said hinge is mounted to said cover member by means of a bracket, and said lock is secured to said cover member by means of a washer, and said bracket abuts against said washer. 7. The lockable guard according to any of the preceding claims and substantially as described hereinabove. For the Applicant, ^ ~T~~ Sanford T. Colb & Co. Advocates & Patent Attorneys G35268 5 I claim:

1. A security cover for a lock of a door of a vending machine, said lock being mountable on the vending machine with a plurality of fasteners, said cover comprising: a frame mountable on the vending machine by at least two of said fasteners, said frame comprising a back having an opening sized to allow access to the lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of the door; . a lockable closure mounted on the frame and movable, when unlocked, from a closed position to an open position whereby there is provided said access to the lock and, when in the open position, movable to a closed and locked position whereby said lock is covered and said access is restricted thereby; and locking means for selectively locking and unlocking said closure to said frame.

2. The security cover of claim 1 wherein said frame includes at least one of said fasteners.

3. The security cover of claim 2 wherein said frame includes two of said fasteners.

4. The security cover of claim 2 wherein said at least one of said fasteners is unremovably fixed to said frame. .

5. The security cover of claim 4 wherein said at least one of said fasteners is fixed to said back.

6. The security cover of claim 4 wherein said at least one of said fasteners is fixed to a back face of said back.

7. The security cover of claim 3 wherein said two of said fasteners are fixed to said back.

8. The security cover of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a key lock mounted on a front of said closure.

9. The security cover of claim 8 wherein said key lock is covered by a fixed security cover having an opening therein for operational access to said key lock.

10. The security cover of claim 1 wherein the lockable closure, when in the closed position, covers an outer perimeter of said frame.

11. The security cover of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a movable locking element and a support for said locking element, wherein said support is attached to the closure apart from perimeter edges of said closure; and . wherein said frame includes securing means releasably to secure said locking element, wherein said secyring means is attached to said frame apart from perimeter edges thereof.

12. A security cover for a lock of a door of a vending machine, said cover comprising: a frame mountable on the vending machine, said frame including a perimeter frame and an opening, said opening sized to allow access to the lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of the door; a lockable closure having an outer frame, said lockable closure being mounted on the mountable frame and movable, when unlocked, from a closed position to an open position whereby there is provided said access to the lock and, when in the open position, movable to a closed and locked position whereby said lock is covered and said access is restricted thereby; locking means including, on or adjacent an inner face of said closure, a movable locking element and a locking element support, wherein said locking element support is attached to the closure apart from said outer frame; and wherein said mountable frame includes securing means releasably to secure said locking element, wherein said securing means is attached to the mountable frame apart from said perimeter frame. _

13. The security cover of claim 12 wherein said locking means includes a key hole lock mounted on an outside face of said closure.

14. The security cover of claim 13 wherein said key hole lock is covered by a fixed security cover having an opening therein for access to said key hole lock for operation thereof and consequent opening of said closure.

15. The security cover of claim 12 wherein said locking element is a slide bolt.

16. The security cover of claim 15 wherein the slide bolt is spring-loaded.

17. The security cover of claim 15 wherein the locking element support is a plurality of flanges each with a hole sized for said slide bolt to pass therethrough.

18. The security cover of claim 15 wherein said securing means is a flange with a hole sized for an end of said slide bolt to pass therethrough. -10-