Abstract:
A lock receptacle assembly having a body portion having a first end that includes a bore configured to receive a lock, an end cap removably securable to the first end of the body portion. The end cap having a through bore to allow passage of the lock, such that, when assembled, the lock can lock the end cap and the body portion together. The end cap interlocks with the first end of the body portion so that there is substantially no load on the lock when axial force is applied to the assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a lock receptacle assembly and more particularly to a barrel lock receptacle assembly that includes a tamper resistance lock receptacle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Utilities, such as gas, are provided to customers through lines that include valves. These valves, which are commonly referred to as “stops” or “cocks,” are used to control the flow of gas through the line. Such valves are well known and generally include a body portion having an inlet and outlet that are separated by a rotatable plug. The plug has a handle or knob that may be rotated to control fluid flow. 
         [0003]    As will be appreciated, it is generally desirable to secure such valves so that they cannot be opened to provide gas to an unauthorized customer. Typically, securing such valves involves partially enclosing the valve with a shroud or cover so that the valve cannot be accessed. The cover is secured in place over the valve with, for example, a barrel lock. 
         [0004]    In a known lock assembly, a protective cover is secured over a gas valve with a post or pin that includes a barrel lock receptacle. The pin is secured to the protective cover by the barrel lock and a cap. In particular, the barrel lock secures the cap to the pin and prevents removal of the protective cover from the valve. While such assemblies are generally effective, they may present durability issues when tampered with. For example, a pry bar may be used to put force directly on the balls of the barrel lock within the pin. If enough force is applied, the balls of the barrel lock may shear or deform allowing the cap, pin and protective cover to be removed. 
         [0005]    As will be appreciated, a lock assembly that provides an enhanced degree of tamper resistance is desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock receptacle assembly. 
         [0007]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lock receptacle assembly that is highly tamper resistant. 
         [0008]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lock receptacle assembly that is easy to install and remove. 
         [0009]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lock receptacle assembly that may be easily manufactured. 
         [0010]    An embodiment of the inventive lock receptacle assembly includes a body portion having a first end that includes a bore configured to receive a lock, an end cap removably securable to the first end of the body portion. The end cap having a through bore to allow passage of the lock, such that, when assembled, the lock can lock the end cap and the body portion together. The end cap interlocks with the first end of the body portion so that there is substantially no load on the lock when axial force is applied to the assembly. 
         [0011]    An addition embodiment of the present invention is a valve lock assembly that includes a cover configured to be placed over a utility valve, the cover having two opposed side-walls each of which includes an aperture. The embodiment further includes a lock receptacle assembly having a body portion and an end cap, the body portion is configured to be placed through each of the cover apertures to prevent removal of the cover from a utility valve. The assembly further includes a lock for selectively securing the body portion to the end cap when assembled. The end cap interlocks with the body portion so that there is substantially no load on the lock when axial force is applied to the assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a sectioned side view of a barrel lock receptacle assembly of a prior art valve protector assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an additional sectioned side view of the barrel lock receptacle assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lock receptacle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a sectioned side view of the lock receptacle assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  perspective view of an assembled valve lock assembly incorporating the lock receptacle assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectioned side view of a lock receptacle assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lock receptacle assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1-2  depict a known barrel lock receptacle assembly  10  used to secure meter valves. In use, the receptacle assembly  10  is placed through apertures in side-walls  24  of a shroud or cover to secure the cover over a valve. A barrel lock  22  is used to secure the receptacle assembly  10  to the cover to prevent removal. In particular, the assembly  10  includes a cylindrical post  12  and a cap  14 . The post  12  includes a bore  16  that is configured to receive the barrel lock  22 . The bore  16  has an annular recess  18  that accepts balls  19  of the barrel lock  22  to secure the lock  22  within the post  12 . 
         [0020]    The cap  14  has a through bore  20  that allows the barrel lock  22  to pass through the cap  14  and into the post bore  16  to secure the post and cap together. As shown, the cap  14  and pin have shoulder portions  23  that prevent movement of the assembly  10  relative to the walls  24  of the cover. While such assemblies are generally effective, when pried with a pry bar, force F is directed to the balls of the barrel lock. As will be appreciated, in certain circumstances it may be possible for the balls  19  to shear or deform against the annular recess  18  allowing the cap  14  to separate from the post  12  and the cover to be removed from the valve. As discussed below, an embodiment of the present invention addresses the potential issue. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3-5 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a lock receptacle assembly  30  with an interlocking body  32  and end cap  34 . This interlocking structure directs force F to the interlocked surfaces of the body portion  32  and end cap  34  and not to the balls  35  of a lock, e.g., a barrel lock  52 . 
         [0022]    More specifically, the assembly  30  includes a body portion  32 . The body portion  32  has a first end that includes a bore  36  for receiving the barrel lock  52 . The bore  36  includes a recess  38  for the balls  35  of the barrel lock  52 . The first end of the body portion  32  also includes a channel  42  having a reduced profile or diameter if the body is cylindrical. The channel  42  is formed in the body portion  32  such that it creates a shoulder  40 , which interlocks with the end cap  34  when assembled as described herein. 
         [0023]    The body portion  32  also includes a second opposite end, which features a flange  48 . The flange  48  abuts against a side-wall  50  of a cover  60 . The flange  48  prevents passage of the body portion  32  through an aperture in the side-wall  50  to secure the cover  60  over a valve  70 . 
         [0024]    As stated, the assembly  30  also includes an end cap  34 . The end cap  34  has a though bore  46  that allows the barrel lock  52  to be inserted through the cap  34 . The though bore  46  of the end cap  34  further includes a lip  44  that mateingly engages the shoulder  40  of the body portion  32  to interlock the end cap  34  and body portion  32 . 
         [0025]    The end cap  34  also features an open mounting aperture or slot  37  formed in a side of the cap  34 . The mounting slot  37  is configured to receive the channel  42  and shoulder  40  of the body portion  32  such that the lip  44  mateingly engages the shoulder  40 . The barrel lock is then placed through the end cap  34  and into the body  32  and secured in place by having the balls  35  extend into the recess  38 . 
         [0026]    In use, the cover  60  is first placed over a valve  70 . The body portion  32  is the inserted through an opening or aperture in the side wall  50  of the cover  60  until the flange  48  abuts the side-wall and the first end of the body  32  extends through an aligned aperture in the opposite side-wall  50  of the cover  60 . The end cap  34  is then placed on the body portion  32  and locked in place via the barrel lock  52 . 
         [0027]    Importantly, when the aforementioned embodiment is pried with a pry bar, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the axial force F is not directed to the balls  35  of the barrel lock  52 . Indeed, the force F is directed to the interlocked shoulder  40  and lip  44 . As will be appreciated, this configuration yields a stronger, more tamper resistant barrel lock receptacle assembly than presently known. “Axial force” as used herein refers to force substantially parallel to axis A of the body portion  32 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the interior of the end cap  110  includes an additional lip  114 . In this embodiment, the shoulder  106  of the body  102  sits between lip  112  and lip  114  when assembled. 
         [0029]    In either of the embodiments described herein, the end cap and body portion may be manufactured from any suitable durable material, e.g., a hardened steel. As will be appreciated, the body portion and end cap may be manufactured in a variety of shapes and need not be cylindrical. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0031]    In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “top,” “up,” “down,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
         [0032]    This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 
         [0033]    As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
         [0034]    Since certain changes may be made in the above-described invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.