GB2273740A

GB2273740A - A security cover for a padlock.

Info

Publication number: GB2273740A
Application number: GB9326376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Burrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-23
Filing date: 1993-12-23
Publication date: 1994-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-23
Also published as: GB9326376D0; GB2273740B; GB9226869D0

Abstract

A security cover for a padlock comprises a housing 2 with an open base 3, and means 12, within the housing for engaging the shackle 13 of a padlock 14 to retain the padlock in the housing 2 when the padlock is closed. The housing has a slot 20 in its rear face 7 which extends upwardly from the base to enable the housing 2 to be slid over an article to be locked, so that an arm of the article with an opening which the shackle of the padlock passes through, is received in the housing 2 through the slot 20 to engage the shackle when the padlock engages the shackle. Bar 15 is for pushing the shackle against, to push it into its locked condition. <IMAGE>

Description

A SECURITY COVER This invention relates to a security cover for a padlock. The invention is suitable for use in protecting and increasing the security of padlocks, and is suitable for use on locks on commercial trailer rear doors or container doors.

It is known to provide a cover or shield of steel that provides additional protection to padlocks. Padlocks generally comprise a body and a shackle or U shaped bar extending from the body.

Usually one end of the shackle is released when the padlock is in the unlocked position. This permits the shackle to be fitted to a latch or other mechanism in order to prevent unauthorised operation. The padlock body houses a lock. This type of padlock can be susceptible to abuse. The shackle is the most vulnerable part of the padlock and can be attacked with saws, cold chisels, jemmy bars or bolt cutters to free the mechanism. Known covers applied to padlocks are arranged to surround the padlock body and can offer protection for the shackle. These types of additional protection cannot be used on padlocks in all types of applications and furthermore often leave the shackle vulnerable to attack.

The present invention provides a security cover for a padlock which covers the shackle when applied to an article to be locked. The cover and padlock can be applied by sliding the security cover assembly over the article to be locked.

According to the invention there is provided a security cover for a padlock, which comprises: (a) a housing with an open base, and (b) shackle retaining means within the housing for engaging the shackle of a padlock, to retain the padlock in the housing when the padlock is closed, the housing having a slot in its rear face which extends upwardly from the base, to enable the housing to be slid over an article to be locked, so that an arm of the article with an opening which the shackle of the padlock passes through, is received in the housing through the slot to engage the shackle when the padlock engages the shackle.

The security cover of the invention has the advantage that the cover can be fitted to an article to be locked by sliding the cover over the article so that an arm of the article passes through the slot in the rear face and the shackle locates in an opening in an arm of the article to lock it. Furthermore, the padlock is enclosed and cannot be directly attacked by a thief.

Known constructions of padlock covers do not afford the same degree of protection and compact construction as that provided by the cover of the invention. A thief cannot obtain access to the shackle of the padlock with bolt cutters, jemmy bars, cold chisels or other tools without removing the cover. It is important that the shackle of a padlock is protected as this is the most vulnerable part of the lock. In particular a thief can apply force to the shackle which can cause the shackle to fail at the groove engaged by the lock within the padlock.

Preferably, the means for engaging the shackle of a padlock comprises a locking bar which extends across the housing substantially parallel to the rear face so that a padlock fitted to the cover is substantially perpendicular to the rear face. A bar allows the padlock to be inserted into the cover relatively easily and also increases the strength and rigidityof the housing.

An abutment may be provided in the housing to limit upward movement of the shackle when closing the padlock. Conventional padlocks generally have a spring loaded shackle which must be pushed into the padlock body for it to engage the lock mechanism. For a security cover such as described which restricts access to the shackle, it is preferable to provide means for locking the padlock easily and quickly. The padlock can be locked by pushing it against the abutment.

The abutment can be provided by the closed end of the housing.

This enables a padlock to be closed by pushing its shackle up against the closed end of the housing.

Preferably, the abutment comprises a closing bar extending across the housing substantially parallel to the rear face and displaced from the locking bar away from the open end of the housing. The closing bar facilities locking of a padlock inserted in the housing by simply pushing the padlock towards the bar.

A further slot may be provided in the housing to accommodate a handle of an article extending transversely across the housing, such that the rear face of the housing is located between the handle and the remainder of the article. Part of the security cover fits behind the handle in use and this improves the security of the device as any force applied to separate the cover from the handle is supported by the handle.

Generally, the security cover comprises steel, more preferably hardened steel.

The security cover may comprise galvanised steel. The cover may be formed from mild steel and coated with a corrosion resistant coating to enhance product life and appearance.

Preferably, the housing, securing means, and closing means are adapted to accept a conventional 55 mm padlock.

The invention also provides a security assembly which includes a security cover as described above, a padlock located in the housing with the shackle engaging the shackle retaining means, and an article to be secured which includes an arm having an opening in it which is received in the housing through the slot so that the shackle of the padlock passes through the opening.

Preferably, the article to be secured comprises a handle which operates a bolt mechanism, which is retained in a locked position by means of the arm with the opening in it.

Preferably, the security cover has a pair of openings in its side walls so that it can fit over the handle with the handle extending transversely through the cover, with at least a portion of the rear wall of the housing located behind the handle. Preferably, which the arm is formed in two parts which are mounted pivotally so that they can be swung into the position in which they retain the handle in its locked position, each of the arm parts having an opening in it for engaging the shackle of the padlock.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the security cover fitted to a door closure of a commercial vehicle or container; Figure 2 is a rear view of the security cover; Figure 3 shows the security cover fitted to the door closure mechanism of a commercial vehicle; Figure 4 shows in more detail a door closure mechanism commonly found on commercial vehicles; and Figure 5 is a further side view of the security cover showing the position of the padlock relative to the cover.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows a security cover generally indicated by reference numeral 1, which comprises a housing 2 open at one end 3 having a front face 4, two side faces 5, 6 and a rear face 7. A slot (shown in Figure 2) is provided in the rear face 7 extending from the open end 3 of the housing 2 and adapted, in use, to accommodate a door bracket 8 of a door closure mechanism. Slots 9, 10 are provided in the side faces 5, 6 which are adapted, in use, to accommodate a handle 11 of a door closure mechanism. A locking bar 12 acts as securing means which is adapted in use to accept a shackle 13 of a padlock 14 which secures the security cover to the padlock 14 and also permits the padlock 14 to lock the handle 11 of the door closure mechanism to the door bracket 8.

This effectively locks the door closure mechanism and the security cover together. The locking bar 12 extends between the two side faces 5, 6 and increases the strength and rigidity of the security cover. The rear face 7 fits adjacent to the surface of the door (not shown) with the door bracket 8 located in the slot in the rear face. The rear face extends between the handle 11 and the surface of the door. This improves the security of the cover as any attempt to lever the cover off of the door mechanism is prevented by impingement between the handle 11 and the rear face 7.

An abutment in the form of a closing bar 15 is provided in the housing 2 displaced from the locking bar 12 towards the closed end 16 of the housing 2. The closing bar extends between the two side faces 5, 6 and parallel to the locking bar. This strengthens the security cover further. The closing bar facilitates locking of a padlock inserted into the housing 2.

The padlock can be simply locked by pushing the padlock shackle 13 against the closing bar 15. The housing 2 can accommodate different sizes of padlock but optimum security can be achievedwith a conventional 55 mm padlock. In an alternative construction the end 16 of the housing may form an abutment against which a padlock may be pushed in order to lock it.

Figure 2 shows a slot 20 in the rear face 7 of the security cover. This figure also shows the substantially parallel arrangement of the locking 12 and closing 15 bars extending between the two side faces 5 and 6.

Figure 3 is a rear view of a commercial vehicle with two doors 30, 31 which are hinged along their outer vertical edges by hinges 32. The doors 30, 31 are provided with vertical sliding bolts 33 which engage sockets 34 in the bolted position.

Hinged handles 35, 36 are provided on each sliding bolt in order to unbolt and bolt the doors. The handles locate in respective door brackets 37 and a padlock can be applied to prevent the handle being disengaged from the bracket. A security cover 38 has been applied to the left hand door 31.

This covers the handle, padlock and the door bracket thereby greatly improving the security of the door.

Figures 4 and 5 are further illustrations of the door closure mechanism of a commercial vehicle and of the security cover.

Figure 4 shows an inset detail of the hinged handle and bracket. Figure 5 shows the orientation of the padlock 50 in relation to the security cover 51. The padlock 50 is approximately perpendicular to the door of the vehicle and to the front 51 and rear faces 53 of the security cover 51.

In use a padlock (usually a 55 mm padlock) is inserted into the housing 2 so that the shackle is located between the closing bar 15 and the locking bar 12. The whole assembly can slide over a door closure mechanism such that the rear face 7 is between the handle and the surface of the door and the door bracket is located in the slot 20 (Figure 2). The padlock shackle is located in an aperture in the handle and the door bracket and is then locked by pushing the padlock against the closing bar 15.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A security cover for a padlock, comprises: (a) a housing with an open base, and (b) shackle retaining means within the housing for engaging the shackle of a padlock, to retain the padlock in the housing when the padlock is closed, the housing having a slot in its rear face which extends upwardly from the base, to enable the housing to be slid over an article to be locked, so that an arm of the article with an opening which the shackle of the padlock passes through, is received in the housing through the slot to engage the shackle when the padlock engages the shackle.

2. A security cover as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for engaging the shackle of a padlock comprises a locking bar which extends across the housing substantially parallel to the rear face so that a padlock fitted to the cover is substantially perpendicular to the rear face.

3. A security cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which an abutment is provided in the housing to limit upward movement of the shackle when closing the padlock.

4. A security cover as claimed in claim 3, in which the abutment is the closed end of the housing.

5. A security cover as claimed in claim 3, in which the abutment comprises a closing bar extending across the housing substantially parallel to the rear face and displaced from the locking bar towards the closed end of the housing.

6. A security cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a further slot is provided in the housing adapted, in use, to accommodate a handle of an article such that the rear face of the housing is intermediate of the handle and the remainder of the article.

7. A security cover as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A security assembly which comprises a security cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, a padlock located in the housing with the shackle engaging the shackle retaining means, and an article to be secured which includes an arm having an opening in it which is received in the housing through the slot so that the shackle of the padlock passes through the opening.

9. A security assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the article to be secured comprises a handle which operates a bolt mechanism, which is retained in a locked position by means of the arm with the opening in it.

10. A security assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the security cover has a pair of openings in its side walls so that it can fit over the handle with the handle extending transversely through the cover, with at least a portion of the rear wall of the housing located behind the handle.

11. A security assembly as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the arm is formed in two parts which are mounted pivotally so that they can be swung into the position in which they retain the handle in its locked position, each of the arm parts having an opening in it for engaging the shackle of the padlock.