GB2304143A

GB2304143A - Lockablle moveable container

Info

Publication number: GB2304143A
Application number: GB9516289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Shaw Abram; David Watson
Original assignee: John W Hannay and Co Ltd
Current assignee: John W Hannay and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-08-09
Filing date: 1995-08-09
Publication date: 1997-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-09
Also published as: GB9516289D0; GB2304143B

Abstract

A closeable container having at least one access panel (5b) hingedly connected thereto and comprising a locking device (13) adapted to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device includes a locking member (15), an actuator (9) for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism (10) attached to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point from the ground so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby free the access panel(s) from the closed position without manual intervention. The locking device may comprise a body fixed to two cylindrical sleeves one pivoted via a pivot pin (22) to the actuator rod and the other via a pivot pin to the container.

Description

Releasable Locking Device This invention relates to a locking mechanism and in particular to a locking mechanism with an alternative automatic opening facility for use on doors or access hatches on for example containers such as bottle banks, paper banks, skips front loader skips etc.

Generally the most common type of refuse container in factories or large commercial operations is the front end loading skip which is emptied at regular intervals for a fee by specialist waste disposal companies. The skips themselves usually have a ridged or a flat top and have hinged lids or doors. Very often a pair of doors or lids are provided side-by-side.

The vehicles used to empty the skips or containers consist of a drivers cab and a large hollow container on a transporter. On the top of the vehicle, directly behind the drivers cab, is a large aperture which allows refuse to be inserted into the container. Attached to the sides of the cab are forks which are operable by hydraulic arms and linkage arrangements. Therefore when the skip is full the vehicle operator positions his vehicle such that the forks are aligned with channels on the sides of the skip. The operator then drives the vehicle forward to actively engage the forks with the channels. The forks are then raised by the hydraulic action which allows the skip to be lifted and then rotated through 1800 to tip the contents of the skip into the vehicle container via the aperture in the top.

It should be noted that these operators have many skips to empty every day. At present many of the users of these skips lock them when not in use to prevent others from using them or tampering with them in some way. Although generally they are only locked with a padlock it makes it awkward for the vehicle operator when he arrives to empty them. If they have been left unlocked there is no real problem for the operator who can quickly empty the skip, replace it in its original position and then drive off. However, if the skip is locked the vehicle operator then has to locate the key holder to unlock the skip before he can empty it. Even if the operator himself has a key already he still has to get out the cab to unlock it himself. This unfortunately is all a great waste of time and cuts down on the number of visits the operators can make each day.

Other prior art containers include a locking device which can be overcome by rotation. Unlike in this invention the driver is unable to see if the locking device has disengaged from the container. If it has not disengaged great damage may be caused to the skip or container as the weight of the waste forces the lid or doors open or actually tears them off the container altogether. The containers have to be rotated to about a 450 angle in order for the lock to disengage therefore it is difficult for the driver to actually see if the lock has disengaged.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages, a particular object being to provide a container which is secure until a collection vehicle operator wishes to empty the container, and a still further object is to provide a locking mechanism which only the vehicle operator can override.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto and comprising a locking device adapted to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device includes a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attached to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby free the access panel(s) from the closed position without manual intervention.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto and comprising a locking device adapted to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device comprises a manually releasable lock and means for overriding that lock without manual intervention to free the access panel(s) from the closed position, the locking device including a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attached to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby release the panel(s).

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking device for attachment to a closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto, the said locking device being intended to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device comprises a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attachable to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby release the panel(s).

In the simplest arrangement a reaction point is provided by arranging the attachment of the control mechanism to the container to provide for ground engagement of an actuator loading arm which may be a simple cylindrical rod. In alternative arrangements a reaction point is located on the container itself, the mechanism being adjusted to provide for displacement of an actuator loading arm from the reaction point by contact with a container manipulating device e.g. a surface of a lifting fork on a loader.

The selection of the actuator is not critical but for reasons of economy it may be a simple mechanical device e.g.

a compression spring system. However more complex systems are not excluded so that any suitable energy storing or loading device using electro-magnetic or hydraulic principles may be used.

The invention will now be further described by way of example for illustration purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a locking device according to one aspect of the present invention mounted on a container for refuse; Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the locking device of Figure 1 in an unlocked condition; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the locking device of Figure 1 in a locked condition; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an actuating member of the locking device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the locking device of Figure 1 in an unlocked condition; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the locking device of Figure 1 in a locked condition; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the locking device in the condition shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another known type of container; Figure 9 is a partial side elevation of the container of Figure 8 illustrating the push-rod mechanism used in the locking device (in the locked condition); and Figure 10 is a partial side elevation of the container of Figure 8 illustrating the push-rod mechanism shown in Figure 9 (in the locking device release mode).

Referring now to the figures there is shown a locking device 1 according to one aspect of the invention for use on a container 2. Figure 1 shows a container 2 made of a material of suitable strength which has a substantially rectangular configuration having front, rear and side walls, the rear wall being slightly higher than the front wall.

The top of the container 3 extends substantially horizontally for a quarter of the length of the base, from the rear wall towards the front wall, parallel to the base of the container. The top is generally made from a flat plate of metal or other suitable material and is hingedly connected to the top of the rear wall of the container. The side walls of the container each have a top edge which is inclined from the front face towards the rear face of the container. However, at the position where the side wall meets the top of the container the edge straightens to run parallel to the top. The incline of the top edge of the side walls is to provide an area for the location of a lid which is generally in the form of a pair of doors 5a, 5b, located side-by-side. One side of each door is hingedly connected to the top edge of a side wall.These doors are also of a substantially rectangular configuration.

Also located on the side walls of the container are channels 4 by which the container is engaged and lifted by a lifting means. The channels 4 can either be secured to or integral with the side walls.

On the centre vertical line of the front face of the front wall 6 of the container are mounted at least two hollow cylindrical members 7a, 7b which includes an upper and lower member. These members may be mounted by welding or any other suitable means. The uppermost of these cylindrical members 7a is attached a short distance down from the top edge of the front wall 6 of the container 2. These members 7a, 7b cooperate with the locking device 1 described below.

A locking device 1 for the container 2 comprises an elongate rod 8 of a substantially circular cross section which is formed of any suitable strength material and is of similar height to the front wall of the container. The diameter of the rod 8 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the cylindrical members 7a, 7b mounted on the container 2 and is slidably received in said cylindrical members 7a, 7b.

The rod 8 is further provided with an actuator 9 such as a helical spring which is constrained between a collet 10 and the uppermost cylindrical member 7a. Atop the rod is provided a bush 11.

The locking device 1 further comprises a lock body 12 which is in the form of a carriage 13 within which is mounted a sliding bolt 14. The sliding bolt 14 is provided at a first end with a T bar 15 and at the second end with a locking plate 16. A second locking plate 17 adjacent the first 16 is attached to the carriage 13. The locking plates 16,17 are each provided with apertures 16a, 17a which are aligned with one another. The sliding bolt 14 may be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the T bar 15 extends beyond the bottom edge of the container doors 5a, Sb, preventing them from being opened. The sliding bolt 14 may be retained in the closed position by the use of a padlock 25 in conjunction with the locking plate apertures 16a, 17a as shown in Figure 3.When the sliding bolt 14 is in the open position the T bar 15 is held clear of the doors 5a, 5b which are then free to open.

The carriage 13 is attached to the container 2 by means of a hinge 18 provided at its base. The hinge joint 18 comprises a pin 19, a pair of bushes 20a, 20b attached to the base of the carriage 13 (only one shown) and a third bush 21 attached to the container 2. A second hinge 22 comprising a pair of bushes 22a, 22b attached to the base of the carriage 13 and a pin 23 connects the carriage 13 to the push rod mechanism via the bush 11 provided atop the push rod mechanism.

In use of the present invention the container 2 and the base of the rod 8 rest upon a flat surface. The weight of the container 2 compresses the helical spring 9 and holds the carriage 13 against the front of the container 2 as shown in Figure 6. The user of the container can fill the container 2 full of rubbish and waste products. The doors Sa, 5b are then shut and are locked by hinging the lock body 12 up towards the lid doors 5a, 5b and operating the sliding bolt 14. A padlock 25 is then applied through the apertures 16a, 17a in the locking plates 16,17. The lid is now locked and cannot be opened by any unauthorised person and the contents of the container 2 cannot be tampered with in any way.

When the operator arrives in the disposal vehicle he drives the vehicle so that the forks of his vehicle engage the channels 4 in the container 2 and the hydraulic action of these forks then lifts the container 2 off the ground. As the container 2 is lifted off the ground the compressed spring 9 relaxes and pushes down on the collet 10 with the resulting movement of the rod 8 indicated by arrow A in Figure 5. This downward movement of the rod 8 causes the carriage 13 to rotate about the pin 19 which attaches it to the container 2. This rotation of the carriage 13, indicated by arrow B, moves the sliding bolt 14 and T bar 15 clear of the doors 5a, 5b and enables them to open during the emptying operation. The container 2 can then be emptied in the usual manner.The doors 5a, 5b are then closed and the operator lowers the container 2 to the ground. Once the container 2 is replaced on the flat surface the push rod mechanism re-sets the lock mechanism and effectively relocks the doors 5a, 5b.

A significant advantage of this invention is that the user of the containers can keep them locked at times other than when they are being filled with waste. They can be locked overnight to prevent the contents being maliciously set alight. Furthermore, with the present invention installed the user need not be present when the operator arrives to empty the container. Previously the user or a representative would have to be available to open the containers or a prior arrangement would have to have been made with the operator as to where he could collect the key.

The operator is able to drive the forks of his vehicle into the channels of the container and lift the container up off the ground. As this action overcomes the locking device he can then proceed to empty the container without ever having to leave the vehicle. Once the container is emptied the doors can be shut and are subsequently locked again once the container touches the ground. A further advantage is that the lock cannot be opened by an unauthorised person without the key.

Furthermore the invention offers another advantage arising from the fact that the driver can actually see the locking device disengage from the container automatically as it leaves the ground before it is ever lifted out of his view.

This is an advantage because if it did not open and the skip was rotated to a 1800 angle then the weight of the waste falling on the doors or lid of the container could cause a great deal of damage to the container e.g. bursting hinges and forcing off the doors.

A further advantage is that the driver's personal safety is less at risk, especially at night, because he does not need to leave the vehicle. It should also be noted that there is less risk of the vehicle being stolen whilst carrying out this operation because the driver does not leave the vehicle.

Although this application describes the use of the locking device on a front or rear loader skip it is envisaged that the invention could be used on any suitable container which has doors or hatches. Furthermore, the containers themselves may either be manufactured and produced with the locking device in place or the locking device can be retrofitted to existing containers.

In another embodiment the actuator for the locking device may be incorporated with the channels in the container so that on engagement with the forks of the operator's vehicle and the subsequent lifting action of the hydraulic forks the locking device is automatically released therefore allowing the container to be easily emptied by the operator. It is also possible for the locking device to be disengaged when the driver pushes the forks into the channels so that the lock is disengaged before the container is lifted. In some vehicles owned by the operators, the forks can actually move inwards towards each other in order that the same vehicle can be used to lift a variety of different sizes of container. This inward action of the forks may also be used to disengage a locking device held on the sides or within the channels of the skip.

In an alternative arrangement as shown if Figures 8-10 there is provided mounted on the rear wall 10 of a container 100 (as shown) a push rod mechanism 102 as previously described.

A horizontal plate 103 extends from the lid of the container adjacent the hinged end 104 of the lid 105. The push rod mechanism 102 is held between the ground and the horizontal plate 103 and when in that position the lid is prevented from being opened because the push rod is effectively locked beneath the horizontal plate 103 and prevents downward movement of the plate which would otherwise be necessary when opening the lid as shown in Figure 9. When the container is to be emptied the operator lifts up the container causing the spring to relax and the rod is lowered thereby allowing the lid to be hinged open to gain entry to the container as shown in Figure 10. Alternatively in the embodiment described above the spring may be omitted from the push rod mechanism.

Claims

1. A closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto and comprising a locking device adapted to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device includes a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attached to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby free the access panel(s) from the closed position without manual intervention.

2. A closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto and comprising a locking device adapted to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device comprises a manually releasable lock and means for overriding that lock without manual intervention to free the access panel(s) from the closed position, the locking device including a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attached to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby release the panel(s).

3. A closeable container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a reaction point is provided by arranging the attachment of the control mechanism to the container to provide for ground engagement of an actuator loading arm.

4. A closeable container according to claims 1 or 2 wherein a reaction point is located on the container itself, the mechanism being adjusted to provide for displacement of an actuator loading arm from the reaction point by contact with a container manipulating device.

5. A closeable container according to claim 4 wherein the reaction point is located in channels provided on the surface of the container.

6. A closeable container according to claim 5 wherein engagement of the container manipulating device with the reaction point in the channels allows disengagement of the locking device.

7. A closeable container according to claim 6 wherein the engagement of the container manipulating device with the container channels and subsequent lifting of the container by the container manipulating device disengages the locking device.

8. A closeable container substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A locking device for attachment to a closeable container having at least one access panel hingedly connected thereto, the said locking device being intended to secure the access panel(s) in a closed position to prevent unauthorised access to the container, characterised in that the locking device comprises a locking member, an actuator for urging said locking member into contact with the access panel(s) to hold same in the closed position, and a control mechanism attachable to the container and operatively linked through the actuator with the locking device, said control mechanism being arranged to load the actuator against a reaction point so as to load the actuator using the inertia or weight of the container until such time as the container is moved with a container manipulating device, e.g. during a lifting operation, in a manner relieving the loading to thereby release the panel (s)

10. A locking device for attachment to a closeable container substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.