WO2003002837A1

WO2003002837A1 - Improvement in or relating to a locking device

Info

Publication number: WO2003002837A1
Application number: PCT/SE2002/001281
Authority: WO
Original assignee: FÄKTENMARK, Åke
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2002-06-27
Publication date: 2003-01-09
Also published as: SE0102324D0; SE0102324L; SE522790C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device (1) comprising a padlock (2) and a casing (3) partially or completely enclosing the padlock (2). In addition to the space (4) occupied by the padlock (2) proper, the casing (3) does also include a further space (5) which can be locked at the same time as the locking device (1) being locked and which houses a sensor-equipped transmission unit (6) which, upon damage made to the locking device (1), does wirelessly transmit an alarm signal.

Description

Improvements in or relating to a locking device

The present invention relates to a locking device comprising a padlock and a casing, which is completely or partially enclosing the padlock.

On the market there is today available a large number of different types of padlock, some of which can very quickly and without any need for special tools be broken up. whereas other locks which have a more solid design and are very expensive, are more different to force. The problem from which those types suffer is that when they are exposed to damage in the shape of external violence there does today not exist any technical solution, which can, to a person who has locked an object with the lock, communicate information about a theft that probably is in progress.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new type of a padlock device that can alarm the owner in connection with an effort to brake up the _.lock. The features characterizing the invention are set out in the patent claims.

Thanks to the invention there has now been provided a locking device which in an excellent manner satisfies its purpose and which also can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost way. The device is constituted by a padlock, which has been provided with an outer casing comprising a space that can be locked against manipulation in connection with the locking of the lock proper. In that space there is located a sensor-equipped transmitter unit which when the lock is subjected to damage transmits an alarm signal. Thus, the outer casing may enclose electronic means and alarm sensors for wireless signal transmission to a receiver. The outer casing, which can be mounted on the padlock to be protected, has a configuration, which prevents removal thereof when the lock shackle is in its locked position. The outer casing can be shaped to match any standard lock, which makes it possible in a simple way to manufacture such cases or most of the lock types on the market. The casing and the electronic means therein can also be offered as optional equipment for the big quantity of padlocks already in use on the market.

When the padlock has been exposed to external violence the electronic means transmits a signal to a receiver which • in its turn is connected to an alarm system.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, • reference being made to the draw.ings .

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing an outer casing for a padlock and for electronic equipment, the casing being in its closed position but yet not connected to a padlock,

Fig. 2 shows the external casing of Fig. 1 in its open position, also with no connection to a padlock,

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment showing an outer casing, which shall receive an adjacent padlock,

Fig. 4 illustrates the casing shown in Fig. 3 comprising a padlock inserted therein and locked in position,

Fig. 5 shows another alternative embodiment, the casing of which being ready to receive an adjacent padlock, Fig. 6 shows the casing of Fig. 5, the padlock being inserted but its shackle being in an open position,

Fig. 7 shows the casing of Fig. 5, the padlock being insert- 5 ed and locked in position so that the locking device is in its sealed state,

Fig. 8 shows a locking device comprising a padlock integrated therewith and the outer casing comprising a 10 space for electronic equipment and alarm sensors, and

Fig. 9 shows another alternative embodiment illustrating a locking device with an integrated padlock.

15. As appears from the drawings it shows a plurality of various . embodiments, of the invention and illustrating a- locking device, which comprises a paddock 2 and a casing 3 which partially or completely ^' surround the padlock 2. The casing.3 does, in addition to the- . space 4 occupied by the padlock 2 proper, include

20 a further space 5, which can be locked simultaneously with a locking of the padlock and which houses a sensor-equipped transmitter unit 6. When the padlock 1 is subjected to damage an alarm signal is transmitted by unit 6. The design of the locking device 1 is relatively simple and the outer casing, which may be

25 manufactured in a composite material, cannot be removed from the padlock 2 without generating an alarm signal. Receiver which suitably is firmly mounted and hidden but located within the receiving range of the transmitter may be connected to an alarm signal unit which either emits a signal from its mounting place

30 or is electrically connected to an alarm central or the like. The signal receiver can send the alarm signal to a mobile telephone set. The electronic equipment suitable to use in this context is available on the market and is today utilized in several fields. The alarm signal from the transmitter unit 6 in the locking device 1 may be passed on to a central, from which it can via GSM or a telephone answering machine, be transmitted to an alarm central or to some other signal receiver.

The sensor 7 located inside the locking device can also be connected to a transmitter unit operating with acoustic signal transmission to a central unit receiving the signal and passing it on to an alarm central.

As appears from the drawings, and especially -from Figs . 1-7, the outer casing 3 is mounted around ^' the padlock 2 and has a configuration, which prevents removal of casing 3 from the padlock 2 following locking of the padlock 2. The casing encompasses the space 4 referred to which is in . a lockable way defined by the

^• envelope surface of the locking body or the lock shackle 8 of the padlock 2. This design makes it impossible for a thief to

•get contact with and manipulate the electronic circuits in the locking device 1.

When the locking device 1 is in its locked state space 4 will be integrated with the padlock • 2 which does not only define the space but also, simultaneously with the locking of the padlock 2, seals the space against manipulation from the external side. Stated in other words this means that a lock and its locking shackle has a dual function, namely to lock a product and, simultaneously therewith, to lock also the space housing the sensor-equipped transmission unit.

The locking device 1 according to the invention can also be supplemented with IE-control excerted by the user in which case the electronic circuits are supplemented with a sensor cooperating with a key having an internal ID-chip. In that case the locking device can be included in an alarm and security system calling for IE-control or the users which naturally further increases the utility range of the locking device.

Claims

1. Improvements in or relating to a locking device (1), comprising a padlock (2) and a casing (3) which is completely or partially enclosing the padlock (2) , characterized in that said casing (3) does, in addition to the space (4) occupied by the padlock (2) proper, include a further space (5) partly defined by the padlock (2) and arranged to become closed and locked when the locking device (1) is locked by means of the padlock (2), • said space (5)^', which can be locked and closed by the padlock

(2) and/or the envelope surface of its shackle (8), housing a sensor-equipped transmitter unit (6)- which, upon damage to the locking device (1) , does wirelessly transmit an alarm signal, meaning that the locking device (1) has a duel function, namely locking o.f an object and at the same time sealing up. the space..

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm signal from the transmitter unit (6) in the locking device (1) is transferable to central from which an alarm signal can be passed via GSM or . a telephone answering machine to an alarm central or to some other signal receiver.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (7) in the locking device (1) is connected to a trans- mission unit (6) operating with acoustic signal transmission to a central unit for signal reception and continued transmission to an alarm central.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (3) is mountable to the padlock (2) and is of a design preventing it from being removed from the padlock (2) after locking of the padlock (2) .