WO1989002019A1

WO1989002019A1 - Lock combination

Info

Publication number: WO1989002019A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000338
Authority: WO
Inventors: John James Zammit; Brent Anthony Ferguson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-03
Filing date: 1988-09-01
Publication date: 1989-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-03
Also published as: AU2381888A; AU605919B2

Abstract

A lock combination is provided which may be used to secure from rotation a rotatable handle as used, for example, for closing the doors of a freight container. In one embodiment (Figs. 1 and 2), a lock combination (1) comprises an outwardly hinged enclosure means which itself comprises a confining means (5) and a casing means (6) for protecting a lock. A staple means (7) penetrates the casing means (6) through vertically disposed aperture (10) in the rear of casing means (6). The shackle of a padlock shackle may be inserted through a transverse hole (9) in the staple.

Description

LOCK COMBINATION This invention relates to a lock combination for use in connection with a door assembly to inhibit forceable entry.

The present invention relates particularly, although not exclusively, to the doors provided on shipping containers and trailer mounted containers such as refrigerated vans and the like. Such container doors usually are provided with two doors meeting at the centre line, the doors being hinged to the outside edges of the door opening. The latching of the doors is usually achieved by means of upwardly and downwardly extending locking bars which are slidable vertically in bearings, the bars being engageable with formations at the top and bottom edges of the door opening. The locking bars are moved by means of a rotatable handle which operates a generally centrally located pivoted actuator for the locking bars. The rotatable handle when not in use can be stored more or less flat against the associated door so as to extend generally horizontally, with the end of the rotatable handle being received in a retaining cradle. To prevent unauthorised operation, the end of the rotatable handle can be locked in the retaining cradle by means of a padlock. A disadvantage of this known arrangement is that the padlock can be readily forced by means of a crow-bar or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock combination which inhibits unauthorised access to freight containers.

In this specification and in the claims, the words, "door assembly" are to be understood as extending to doors, windows, hatches, gates, and the like and to the immediate surrounds of the doors, etc.

Furthermore, in this specification and in the claims, the word "staple" is to be understood as meaning a projection or projections, extending from the door or its surround, into the casing and to which the lock is secured.

It should be understood also that the lock combinations according to the invention may be mounted either on the door, etc., with the staple on the^' surround, or vice versa.

In this specification and claims, the expression "general plane of the door assembly" is to be understood as the plane constituted by the front surface of a flat door and extending to each side and above and below the door. This invention, therefore, provides a lock combination for use in securing from rotation a rotatable handle forming part of a door closure means for a door assembly, which lock combination comprises;

(a) an enclosure means attachable to the door assembly movable in use between an operative position and an inoperative position, which enclosure means comprises:

(i) a confining means for receiving the rotatable handle; and (ii) a casing means for protecting a lock adapted to retain the enclosure means in its operative position; and

(b) staple means, attachable to the door assembly, which in use penetrates the casing means and is adapted to co-operate with the lock.

Preferably, the enclosure means is adapted for hinged movement about either a horizontal or a vertical axis to and from the door assembly, whereby the enclosure means may be moved into and out of its operative position.

Alternatively, the enclosure means is adapted for pivoted movement about a pivot point, the movement being either in the general plane of the door assembly or into and out of the general plane, whereby the enclosure means may be ^'moved into and out of its operative position.

In another possible embodiment, the enclosure means is adapted for horizontal or vertical sliding movement in tracks in the general plane of the door assembly, whereby the enclosure means may be moved into and out of its operative position.

Preferably, the lock is a padlock, the staple means being adapted to co-operate with the shackle of the padlock.

Alternatively, the lock is integral with the casing means, for example, a tumbler lock or a cylinder lock, the staple means being adapted to^' co-operate with latch means connected to the lock.

Preferably, the casing means is adapted to completely enclose the padlock in use except for an opening sufficiently large to allow insertion, locking, unlocking and removal of the padlock but positioned to prevent tampering with the shackle.

Alternatively, the casing means is adapted to completely enclose the lock except for an opening sufficiently large to allow locking and unlocking of the lock. Thus the casing means is provided with access to the staple and associated padlock. The casing means may comprise, for example, a tubular section, of rectangular section steel tube, a staple aperture being provided in that wall of the casing means which- faces the door when the lock combination is in its operative position whereby the staple may pass through the staple aperture into the tubular casing means. The bottom end of the tubular casing means is, in one embodiment, open to enable access to the end of the staple when it is received in the casing means. The end of the staple is conveniently provided with a transverse bore which cooperates with the shackle of a padlock, the padlock inhibiting movement of the lock combination away from its operative position by preventing withdrawal of the staple through the staple aperture. The open end of the tubular casing means enables access to the padlock while the body of the casing means prevents forceable opening of the padlock by means of a crow-bar or the like.

Where the lock is integral with the casing means, the casing means may comprise, for example, an enclosed section of rectangular section steel tube closed at both ends. The staple aperture is provided in that wall of the casing means which faces the door when the lock combination is in its operative position whereby the staple may pass through the staple aperture into the casing means .

The lock may comprise a tumbler lock having a key slot facing the outside of the casing means so that an operator with the correct key can insert the key and operate the lock. The locking member which cooperates with the staple may comprise a latch means which is movable between an operative position in which it cooperates with the staple and an inoperative position. In the inoperative position, the lock combination may be withdrawn from the staple, which passes out through the staple aperture.

In one arrangement the lock has a rotary action, wherein the latch means may travel about the general axis of rotation of the barrel of the lock moving in and out of engagement with the staple. In this arrangement, the staple may have a hook formation at its outer end, whereby the latch means may be arranged to engage with the staple behind the hook formation to prevent withdrawal of the enclosure portion away from its operative position. The staple may be generally L shaped with the "foot" of the L pivoting upwardly or downwardly to retain the latch means. In another arrangement, the latch means comprises a generally S- or Z-shaped locking plate which is movable about a pivot axis about midway along its length. The locking member is adapted to co-operate with a pair of staple elements extending out from the door, one of the staple elements having a downwardly facing hook formation and the other having an upwardly facing hook formation. With this arrangement the S-shaped latch means may be arranged to pivot about an axis passing about midway between the staple elements, the latch means extending transverse to the staple elements so that pivoting movement of the latch means causes it to engage simultaneously behind both hook formations. The lock mechanism in this arrangement may be directly coupled to the locking member at about the axis of pivoting movement.

In the embodiment where the lock combination is hinged, the hinge may be mounted at the top of the combination, for example, by welding, the other part of the hinge being secured to the door. Conveniently, there may be provided a backing plate for mounting flush to the inside surface of the door opposite to the hinge. Fastening bolts or the like may be- passed through the hinge, through the door and through the backing plate and receiving nuts on the inside. The backing plate strengthens the door in the vicinity of the security lock.

In another arrangement, the hinge may comprise a plate extending from the hinge axis and arranged to be mounted flush to the outside door surface. The plate may be made of steel and be fixed to the door by any suitable means such as bolts passing through the plate and into or through the door. The plate may be provided with the staple extending outwardly therefrom at a point spaced from the hinge axis, the staple being, for example, welded to the plate. The staple may have an enlarged annular collar or washer around its outside to limit the extent to which it extends outwardly from the outside surface of the door when its inner end is passed through an opening in the door and through the backing plate. This end may be screw threaded for receiving a securing nut. The annular collar also strengthens the door where it is apertured to receive the projection.

In this embodiment, the casing means may be provided with a recessed portion surrounding the projection opening so that the annular collar around the projection is received within the recess when the enclosure casing means is moved to its operative position. With this arrangement the enclosure portion can lie flush against the associated door when the lock combination is in its operative position.

In the case of freight container or similar doors, a rotatable handle is often used to operate locking bars. In the closed and barred condition of the door, the rotatable handle has a stored position lying generally horizontally against the door and is received in a retaining cradle. The rotatable handle arm is moved from this stored position to operate the locking bars. The lock combination may be arranged to confine the rotatable handle arm at or adjacent its outer end, mid-way along its length, or if desired, close to its inner end where it is coupled to the bars which lock the container door.

The invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the broad scope of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a si-de elevation of a hinged lock combination according to one embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a back view of the lock of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of arrow A,

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of another, hinged embodiment; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of a pivoted embodiment; Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a further, hinged embodiment shown in use in its operative position;

Fig. 6 is -a fragmentary rear vie of the embodiment of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrow B; and

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of a slideable embodiment, shown in an inoperative position.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a lock combination 1 is mounted on a door assembly 2 by means of hinge 3 and bolts 4. Lock combination 1 comprises a confining means 5 of open-ended box-like shape to confine a rotatable handle (not shown). Confining means 5 merges into casing means 6, which encloses the projecting portion of staple 7, which penetrates -casing means 6 through vertically disposed aperture 10 in the rear of the casing means. A retaining plate 8 holds staple 7 in door assembly 7. Staple 7 is provided with a transverse opening 9 to retain the hasp of a padlock (not shown). Casing means 6 is also of box-like shape, bottom 11 being open to allow insertion of the padlock mentioned previously.

In Fig. 3, a very similar lock combination 20 is illustrated, provided with hinge 21, which is rotatable about hinge axis 22. Lock combination 20 comprises confining means 23 and casing means 24, provided with staple aperture 25 in its rear wall. A recessed portion 26 is also provided in the rear wall to accommodate collar 27 on staple 28. Casing means 24 is also open at the bottom. Fig. 4 illustrates a slightly different embodiment in which confining means 33 of lock combination 30 is provided with an upper plate 31 having a central pivot hole 32. In this embodiment, confining means 33, although also of box-like shape, is open to one side only. Casing means 34 is also open to one (in fact, the same) side, being provided with a somewhat larger staple aperture 35.

In this case, a horizontally disposed staple 37 is shown penetrating into casing means 34. Staple 37 has a transverse opening 37 through which is inserted the shackle 38 of padlock 39.

Figs, 5 and 6 illustrate a somewhat different embodiment in which a lock combination 40 is provided with a mounting plate 41 having a hinge means 42 at its top. Lock combination 40 comprises confining means 43, which merges into casing means ^4. Again, confining means 43 is of open-ended box-like shape. Casing means 44 is provided with integral cylinder lock 45, operable from outside casing means 44 by means of a key (not shown). Cylinder lock 45 is provided at its inner end with a rotatable pin 46 to which is attached a rotatable, S-shaped latch means 47A/47B. Portions 47A and 47B are engagable with corresponding latch elements 48A and 483. A rotatable handle 49 is shown in ghost lines penetrating into the space protected by confining means 43.

Fig. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment in which a lock combination 50 is provided with an upper rail 51A and a lower rail 51B. These rails are located to the rear of lock combination 50 and are adapted to co-operate with horizontally disposed upper sliding track 52A and lower sliding track 52B respectively. Lock combination 50 is otherwise equivalent to lock combination 40. Thus, it comprises confining means 53, casing means 54 and cylinder lock 55. Again, this cylinder lock is provided with rotatable pin 56 connected to rotatable S-shaped latch means 57A/57B, which co-operate with latch elements 58A and 58A. Rotatable handle 59 is shown, again in ghost lines, penetrating confining means 53. It will be seen that, by rotation on a hinge or at a pivot point or by sliding, the various embodiments of lock combination according to the invention may be used to secure a rotatable handle.

Thus, the lock combination according to the present invention provides effective and secure locking by restricting access to and operation of the rotatable handle used to operate the locking bars for a container door. Where a padlock is used, it is difficult to gain access to the padlock by a crow-bar^' or the like to enter the container. Where the lock is integral with the casing, the lock is completely enclosed to prevent direct access. The lock combination is of simple construction and operation and can be made robust by using heavy gauge steel.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A lock combination (1) for use in securing from rotation a rotatable handle forming part of a door closure means for a door assembly, which lock combination comprises:

(a) an enclosure means (5, 6) attachable to the door assembly and movable in use between an operative position and an inoperative position, which enclosure means comprises;

(i) a confining means (5) for securing the rotatable handle; and (ii) a casing means (6) for protecting a lock adapted to retain the enclosure means in its operative position; and

(b) staple means (7), attachable to the door assembly (2), which in use penetrates the casing means and is adapted to co-operate with the lock.

2. A lock combination as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the enclosure means (5, 6) is adapted for hinged movement (3) about either a horizontal or a vertical axis to and from the door assembly, whereby the enclosure means may be moved into and out of its- operative position.

3. A lock combination as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the enclosure means (5, 6) is adapted for pivoted movement about a pivot point (32), the movement being either in the general plane of the door assembly or into and out of the general plane, whereby the enclosure means may be moved into and out of its operative position.

4. A lock combination as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the enclosure means (5, 6) is adapted for horizontal or vertical sliding movement in tracks (52A, 52B) in the general plane of the door assembly (2), whereby the enclosure means may be moved into and out of its operative position.

5. A lock combination (1) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the lock is a padlock (39), the staple means (7) being adapted to co-operate with the shackle (38) of the padlock.

6. A lock combination (1) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the lock is integral (45) with the casing means, for example, a tumbler lock or a cylinder lock, the staple means (48A, 48B) beino adapted to co-operate with latch means (47A, 47B)connected to the lock.

7. A lock combination (1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the casing means (6, 34) is adapted to completely enclose the padlock (34) in use except for an opening sufficiently large to allow insertion, locking, unlocking and removal of the padlock but positioned to prevent tampering with the shackle (38).

8. A lock combination (1) as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the casing means (44, 54) is adapted to completely enclose the lock (45, 55) except for an opening sufficiently large to allow^' locking and unlocking of the lock.

9. A lock combination (1) as claimed in Claim 2, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.