US3695070A

US3695070A - Locking clamp

Info

Publication number: US3695070A
Application number: US80996A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip J Desroches
Original assignee: UNIVERSAL SADDLE HANGER Inc
Current assignee: UNIVERSAL SADDLE HANGER Inc
Priority date: 1970-10-15
Filing date: 1970-10-15
Publication date: 1972-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel and improved locking device and preferably a detachable or removable locking device for locking the fuel or lubricating systems of heavy duty construction equipment. The present device comprises an L-shaped body member having a base portion and an integral upstanding leg portion. An elongated slot is provided in the base portion thereof arranged to receive the stems and handles of the oil fill and dip stick of a bulldozer. A separate locking bar having cutout portions coinciding with the stems is pivotally mounted at one end of the member and is arranged to slide into and out of engagement with the bar to position the cutout portions in locking position relative to the oil fill and dip stick stems. Means is provided for securing the base member and locking bar in position whereby the caps for the oil fill and dip stick cannot be removed. In a modified form of the invention, a locking device for the fuel fill caps of heavy duty construction equipment is provided and comprises a hollow, cylindrical body member arranged to fit over and surround the cap and filling spout and be welded to the tank. A locking bar pivotally mounted on one side of the cylinder wall is arranged to extend across a cutout in the open end of the cylinder and to be locked in place by means of a padlock, or the like, to the opposed cylinder wall, thus making removal of the cap impossible.

Description

United States Patent Desroches 1 Oct. 3, 1972 LOCKING CLAMP [72] Inventor: Philip J. Desroches, West Yarmouth, Mass.

[7 3] Assignee: Universal Saddle Hanger, Inc., West l-larwick, Mass.

[22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 80,996

[52] US. Cl. ..70/164, 70/212, 70/229, 220/ P, 220/55 L, 220/35 P [51] Int. Cl. ..Bd 55/14 [58] Field of Search....70/19, 58, 164, 175, 177, 178, /180, 199, 200, 209, 211, 212, 232, 230, 229, 158, 159; 220/55 P, 55 L, P

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,371,958 3/1921 Weidner ..70/200 2,749,738 6/1956 Frost ..70/232 1,832,057 11/1931 Stein ..70/164 3,349,947 10/ 1967 Zumwalt ..-70/158 X Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. -Attorney-Robert R. Churchill 57 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a novel and improved locking device and preferably a detachable or removable locking device for locking the fuel or lubricating systems of heavy duty construction equipment. The present device comprises an L-shaped body member having a base portion and an integral upstanding leg portion. An elongated slot is provided in'the base portion thereof arranged to receive the stems and handles of the oil fill and dip stick of a bulldozer. A separate locking bar having cutout portions coinciding with the stems is pivotally mounted at one end of the member and is arranged to slide into and out of engagement,

with the bar to position the cutout portions in locking position relative to the oil fill and dip stick stems. Means is provided for securing the base member and locking bar in position whereby the caps for the oil fill and dip stick cannot be removed.

In a modified form of the invention, a locking device for the fuel fill caps of heavy duty construction equipment is provided and comprises a hollow, cylindrical body member arranged to fit over and surround the cap and filling spout and be welded to the tank. A

locking bar pivotally mounted on one side of the cylinder wall is arranged to extend across a cutout in the open end of the cylinder and to be locked in place by means of a padlock, or the like, to the opposed cylinder wall, thus making removal of the cap impossible.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures LOCKING CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior to the present invention, the locks of which I am aware either embodied locks disposed in the caps I themselves opened or locked by the use of keys, or in case of oil'fill and dip stick locks, rather crude devices which were easily broken or jimmied. The need for an efficient and inexpensive system for locking the fuel and/or lubrication filling systems of heavy duty equipment is indeed great, since such equipment is left on jobs, usually in remote places, and prior to the present invention, the loss of fuel and, perhaps more important, damage to the equipment by means of filling the tanks or crankcases with sand or other foreign matter has become prevalent. Thus, there has arisen a great need for an inexpensive, efficient locking system.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates a novel and improved locking device for the fuel and lubrication systems of heavy duty equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors, and the like.

In its preferred form, the present mechanism comprises an elongated L-shaped member and flat barlike member pivotally mounted at one end of the upstanding leg of the L-shaped member. The base portion is provided with an elongated slot through which the handles and portions of the stems of the oil fill and dip stick caps are passed, and the bar member includes a pair of cooperating slots also adapted to fit around the stem portion of the caps to enclose the same. Means is provided for locking the bar and L-shaped members together, thereby preventing the caps from being removed from the oil fill and dip stick tanks. Since the upstanding portion of the device bears against the engine itself, the entire device cannot be rotated and thus removed until the bar is pivoted or slid out of position relative to the body member.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved lock for the fuel and lubricating systems of heavy duty construction equipment, such as bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment.

A further object is to provide a locking device which is substantially burglar-proof and -is simple and economical to manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device positioned against the engine of the equipment showing it in locked and unlocked position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an end view .of the device in operative position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation taken from the rear of the same;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the device taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5; and I FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the device mounted on the side of a fuel tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, the present invention, asshown therein, comprises a device for locking and maintaining the oil fill and dip stick caps of heavy duty construction equipment in a closed position to prevent the removal of the caps by unauthorized personnel. In its preferred form the present locking device indicated at 10 comprises two metal parts consisting of an elongated L-shaped member 12 having a base 14, an integral upstanding leg 16 and a flat bar member 20 pivotally mounted in any suitable manneron the base 14. As shown, the base and

leg portions

14, 16 are substantially equal in width. However, one may be wider or narrower than the other if desired. The base 14 is provided with an elongated, transversely extended slot 18 located adjacent the upstanding leg 16. The second part of the device comprises a flat bar 20 of a width somewhat less than the width of the base 14 which is pivotally and slidably mounted on one end 22 of the base 14 by a rivet 24 or other suitable fastening such that it may be moved inwardly or outwardly across the face of the base 14.

The flat bar 20 is provided with a pair of

cutout portions

30, 32 arranged to cooperate with and enclose the stems 26 between the edges of the slots and leg 16 when the device is in operative locking position with the handles 28 and stems extended upwardly through the elongated slot 18. The free end of the bar is provided with a hole 34 arranged to cooperate with a hole 36 in the base 14 such that a leg of a padlock may be inserted through the cooperating aligned holes to lock the bar and base in a relatively fixed position.

In operation, in order to securely lock the oil fill and dip position. stick caps in position on their

respective filling spouts

36, 38, the base member 14 is positioned over the handles 28 and fitted downwardly, the handles and stems being passed through the elongatedslot as best shown in FIG. 3. The upstanding portion 16 is positioned against the engine wall 40 such that it cannot be rotatably turned, and the base 14 rests on the caps 31. Thereafter, the flat, pivotally mounted bar 20 is swung into locking position, i.e., with the

cutout portions

30, 32 surrounding the stems 26, the bar and base being secured together by means of a padlock passed through the aligned holes in each member as shown. Thus, it will be seen that if an attempt is made to unscrew the caps, the handles are prevented from being turned any substantial degree by the upstanding portion 16. It will also be apparent that the present locking device may be easily removed when it is desired to refill or check the oil in the lubrication system by merely unfastening the padlock and sliding the bar 20 out of posi- In a modified form of the invention illustrated particularly in FIGS. 47,- the present invention is adapted for use particularly in preventing access to the fuel fill spouts through which fuel is fed to the-fuel tank of heavy duty construction equipment. The device comprises a hollow, cylindrical member 42 open at both ends. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the member 42 is welded to the fuel tank 44 or casing for the fuel tank such that it surrounds the-spout 46. One wall 43 of the cylinder 42 is provided at its upper edge with laterally extended

flanges

50, 52, one extending beyond each side wall of the cylinder 42. The opposing wall 54 of the upper end of the cylinder is cut out so that the top of the wall is below the wall 48. The cutout portion indicated at 49 is of the same width as the width of the

flanges

50, 52. A flat bar 56 is pivotally or slidably mountedon flange 50 by means of a rivet 58 such that it extends across the hollow portion of the cylinder and rests on edge on the upper edge 54 of the wall of the cutout portion. The free end 60 of the bar is provided with a hole 62 which is in alignment with a hole 64 in the flange 52 when the bar is in position resting on the edge of the cutout portion. As illustrated, the bar is arranged to belocked in position by means of the padlock 66 having a' leg 64 extended through the aligned holes. The bar prevents removal of the cap, and consequently, unauthorized tampering with the fuel supply is prevented.

As illustrated in FIG. 1-3, the present device is particularly adapted to secure and lock oil fill and dip stick, i.e., measuring stick cap, of heavy duty equipment in a closed, secured position. Each of the caps is of the type shown and comprises a cap having an integral stem 26 and handle 28. The caps 31 are of the screw-on type and must engage and be screwed on the oil fill or dip

stick outlet pipes

36, 38 to close the lubrication system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a form of the present invention wherein the filling spout 68 and fuel tank cap 68 extend outwardly from the side of the tank, and the base of the cylinder is cut on an angle to permit it to be welded to the tank wall in the manner shown.

From the foregoing description of the present invention, it will be apparent that the invention provides a novel and improved lock for'heavy duty construction equipment which is simple in construction and highly effective in eliminating costly vandalism or theft.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A locking device for locking the lubricating system of a piece of heavy duty automotive construction equipment which comprises an L-shaped body member, an elongated extended slot disposed in one leg of the L-shaped member, a bar member pivotally mounted at one end of the slotted member, said bar member having a pair of open-ended slots in one edge arranged to slide into position to cooperate with the longitudinal slot, the slotted portion of the L-shaped member being positioned over the handles and stems of the oil fill and dip stick caps of the equipment such that the stems are confined within the slot, the bar moved into and secured in position to further confine the stems within the cutout portions and the upstanding portion of the L-shaped member positioned to prevent rotation of the handles and integral caps, thereby prave ttinggem va l of the caps. oc

mg evice for heavy duty automotive equipment comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder secured about the fuel intake spout of the equipment, and having a.cutout portion in the upper edge of one wall thereof, a pair of laterally extended flange portions in the cylinder wall adjacent the cutout portions, a locking bar pivotally mounted on one extended portion and arranged to cooperate with and be secured to the other extended portion, said bar resting on the edge of the cutout portion and extending across the cylinder, and means for securing the bar to said other extended portion to prevent removal of the fuel cap.

3. A locking device as defined in claim 2 wherein the cutout portion is of a depth equal to the width of the locking bar and wherein the bar in locked position rests against the adjacent upstanding wall of the cylinder.

4. A locking device as defined in claim 2 wherein the extended flange portions are integral with the cylinder wall.

5. A locking device as defined in claim 2 wherein the cylinder is welded to the body of the equipment around the intake spout.

6. A locking device as defined in claim 2 wherein the free end of the bar is secured to the flange by means of a padlock.

Claims

1. A locking device for locking the lubricating system of a piece of heavy duty automotive construction equipment which comprises an L-shaped body member, an elongated extended slot disposed in one leg of the L-shaped member, a bar member pivotally mounted at one end of the slotted member, said bar member having a pair of open-ended slots in one edge arranged to slide into position to cooperate with the longitudinal slot, the slotted portion of the L-shaped member being positioned over the handles and stems of the oil fill and dip stick caps of the equipment such that the stems are confined within the slot, the bar moved into and secured in position to further confine the stems within the cutout portions and the upstanding portion of the L-shaped member positioned to prevent rotation of the handles and integral caps, thereby preventing removal of the caps.

2. A locking device for heavy duty automotive equipment comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder secured about the fuel intake spout of the equipment, and having a cutout portion in the upper edge of one wall thereof, a pair of laterally extended flange portions in the cylinder wall adjacent the cutout portions, a locking bar pivotally mounted on one extended portion and arranged to cooperate with and be secured to the other extended portion, said bar resting on thE edge of the cutout portion and extending across the cylinder, and means for securing the bar to said other extended portion to prevent removal of the fuel cap.