GB2293621A - Locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking device comprises a hasp 10 and lock 11 for fitting to respective doors 18, 17 of a shipping container. The lock 11 comprises a strong box-shaped metal housing in which a metal locking pin 21 is received. When the doors 17, 18 are locked the hasp 10 enters the lock 11 through an opening in the rear wall of its housing, so that the locking pin 21 can be slid into engagement therewith. In this position the inner end of the pin 21 is in abutment with a side wall 44 of the housing, such that any blows applied to the pin 21 by a would-be thief are absorbed by the strong metal housing. <IMAGE>

Description

Lockinq Device This invention relates to a locking device.

It is well known to use a large steel container to store tools and other valuable equipment on building sites etc.

Typically these containers are of the freight container-type used in shipping and road haulage. A disadvantage of such containers is that the door locking mechanisms are not sufficiently strong to withstand a determined thief. Theft from storage containers on building sites etc is now widespread.

It has been proposed to retro-fit such containers with locking devices comprising lock and hasp portions. The lock portion comprises a removable locking pin which can be slidably engaged into a strong metal housing. The locking pin passes through an aperture in the hasp portion, so as to lock the two portions of the locking device together. A key-operated lock locks the locking pin in its locked position, however it is relatively easy for a would-be thief to break the lock by hitting the locking pin. The force of the blows applied to the locking pin are transmitted directly to the lock, which breaks and this allows the thief to gain entry into the container.

I have now devised a locking device which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a locking device comprising a housing, a locking pin slidably mounted in the housing and having a portion projecting from the housing for moving the pin between locked and unlocked positions, and means for locking the pin in the locked position, the pin being arranged to abut a portion of the housing when in its locked position.

If a would-be thief attempts to force the lock by hitting the locking pin, then the locking means will not break, since the force of the blows will be absorbed by the portion of the housing which is in abutment with the pin.

Preferably the locking pin comprises an elongate bar or rod slidably mounted in a guideway formed in the housing, an outer end of the bar or rod projecting from the housing to form a handle for moving the pin between the locked and unlocked positions, and the inner end of the bar being arranged to abut an end of the guideway when the pin is in the locked position.

Preferably the outer end of the locking pin comprises a formation which also abuts the housing when the pin is in the locked position.

Preferably the locking pin is captively-mounted in the housing, so that it cannot become detached and lost or stolen.

Preferably the locking means comprises a mortice lock mounted inside the housing. Mortice locks are widely available and extremely secure.

Preferably the locking device comprises a hasp portion which engages with the locking pin when the latter is in its locked position.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a locking device for a container, the locking device being in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the lock portion of the device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a locking device for a container, the locking device comprising a hasp portion 10 for fitting to one door 18 of the container and a lock portion 11 for fitting to the other door 17 of the container. The hasp portion 10 comprises a flat metal plate 13 which can be welded securely to the door 18 of the container, and a projection 14 having a slot 15 for receiving a locking pin of the lock portion 11.

The lock portion 11 comprises a box-shaped metal housing having upper and lower walls 40, 41, a front-wall 42 and opposite side walls 43, 44. The housing 20 is formed from 7mm steel plate, and is welded to the other door 17 of the container such that the housing 20 overhangs the outer edge of the door 17. When the doors 17, 18 are closed, the projection 14 on the hasp 10 enters the lock portion through an opening in its rear.

The lock portion 11 further comprises a locking pin 21 in the form of a flat metal bar, which is slidably mounted in a block 22 attached to the inside of the housing. An inner end of the locking pin 21 is formed with an aperture 23 which receives the locking bolt of a lock assembly 27, as will be described below. An outer end of the locking pin 21 projects through a slot in the side wall 43 of the housing 20, and carries an enlarged formation 24.

The lock assembly comprises a conventional 5 or 7 lever mortice lock 27 mounted on a pair of flanges 28 attached to the upper and lower walls 40, 41 respectively, of the housing 20.

The sides of the mortice lock 27 are wedged between a pair of steel plates 29 welded to the front wall 42 of the housing.

An aperture is formed in the side wall 44 of the housing, so that a key can be inserted into the keyhole of the lock 27.

The aperture is covered by a plate 31 having a key-hole shaped through-bore 32. The plate 31 is preferably formed from 15mm steel plate.

In use, to lock the container doors 17, 18, the locking pin 21 is slid out of the housing by pulling on the formation 24. A stud 25 on the locking pin 21 enters a guideway 26 in the mounting block 22, and prevents the locking pin 21 from being separated from the rest of the lock portion 11. The doors 17, 18 are then closed, so that the hasp 10 enters the lock portion 11. Next, the locking pin 21 is pushed inwardly to pass through the aperture 15 in the hasp 10. Once the locking pin 21 is fully inserted into the housing, the inner end of the locking pin 21 abuts the inner surface of the end wall 44 of the housing, and the formation 24 on the outer end of the locking pin 21 abuts the outer surface of the opposite end wall 43.In this position, the aperture 23 in the locking pin aligns with the bolt 30 of the lock 27, and the locking pin 21 can thus be locked in place by turning a key to extend the bolt 30 through the aperture 23.

Once the lock 27 is locked, the locking pin 21 cannot be slid back into the unlocked position. The strong metal housing 20 of the locking device prevents a would-be thief from tampering with any of the components of the device. If a would-be thief hits the locking pin 21 inwardly with a hammer, the pin will not move because its inner and outer ends are in abutment with respective side walls 43, 44 of the housing.

Furthermore, the metal plates 29 hold the lock 27 securely in position, so that the lock cannot be dislodged e.g by inserting a metal drift into the keyhole 32.

Another common problems on building sites etc. is caused by vandals injecting instant adhesive, e.g. of the cyanoacrylate-type, into the lock. However, the locking device in accordance with this invention is less susceptible to this problem owing to the extended length of the keyhole 32.

Claims (10)

1) A locking device comprising a housing, a locking pin slidably mounted in the housing and having a portion projecting from the housing for moving the pin between locked and unlocked positions, and means for locking the pin in the locked position, the pin being arranged to abut a portion of the housing when in its locked position.

2) A locking device as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking pin comprises an elongate bar or rod slidably mounted in a guideway formed in the housing, an outer end of the bar or rod projecting from the housing to form a handle for moving the pin between the locked and unlocked positions, and the inner end of the bar or rod being arranged to abut an end of the guideway when the pin is in the locked position.

3) A locking device as claimed in claim 2, in which the outer end of the bar or rod comprises a formation which abuts the housing when the pin is in the locked position.

4) A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking pin is captively-mounted in the housing.

5) A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking means comprises a mortice lock mounted inside the housing.

6) A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a hasp which engages with the locking pin when the latter is in said locked position.

7) A locking device as claimed in claim 6, in which the housing conceals the hasp, when the locking pin is engaged therewith.

8) A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is box-shaped.

9) A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is metal.

10) A locking device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.