Internal hydraulic locking apparatus and methods for making and using same

An hydraulically activated internal locking apparatus is disclosed including an hydraulic fluid reservoir, an hydraulically activated locking system and a electronic control system, where the electronic control system is in electrical communication with the locking system and the reservoir is in fluid communication with the locking system so that the locking system can be transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state when the electronic control system receives a unlock or lock code or instruction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for locking containers from the inside and to methods for making and using same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for locking containers from the inside, where the apparatus includes a source of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulically operated locking assembly, and a remotely accessible control assembly and to methods for making and using same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Although most doors are locked on the outside using a variety of locking mechanisms, such outside locking devices are prone to unwanted and/or unlawfully enter either by tampering with the locking mechanism or destroying the locking mechanism.

In recent years, several devices have been developed to lock containers from the inside, where the locking mechanism is activated from the outside by a tough pad or some type of remote activation device. The two systems currently known in the art are a pneumatic device and an electrical device. The pneumatic device is described in PCT published patent application WO2004033322. The electrical device is described at the web site:

Even though a recent trend toward internal locking mechanisms is making in roads into the industrial industries, there is still a need in the art for internal locking mechanisms that are simple to operate, are compact and are reliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an internal locking apparatus including a source of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulically activated locking system and an electronic control system, where the locking system is designed to be mounted inside a container and to be transitioned between a locked position and an unlocked position, which locks or unlocks an opening to the container. The electronic control system is designed to provide power to the locking system to change its state from the locked position to the unlocked position or vis-a-versa.

The present invention also provides an apparatus including a source of hydraulic fluid, a plurality of hydraulically activated locking systems and an electronic control system, where the locking systems are designed to be transitioned between a locked position and an unlocked position, which locks or unlocks an opening to the container. The electronic control system is designed to provide power to the locking systems to change their state from the locked position to the unlocked position or vis-a-versa.

The apparatus can also include a plurality of locking systems. In the case of apparatuses that include multiple locking systems, each locking system can have its own electronic system and its own hydraulic reservoir or the locking systems can share a common hydraulic reservoir and a common electronic system. When the locking systems are independently controlled, then security is higher, but manual locking and/or unlocking are more time consuming. Of course, if the locking systems are controlled via telemetry (Rf, sonic, microwave, radar, etc.), then each locking system can be on a separate frequency, have a separate code or a combination, thereof to further increase security, yet not slow down locking and unlocking operations.

The present invention provides a method for locking a door or an opening to a container including the step of mounting a hydraulically activated locking system on an inner surface of a door or opening or an inner surface of a wall adjacent the door or opening. Once the hydraulically activated locking system is mounted, a hydraulic fluid reservoir is mounted on the inner surface of the door and/or in an interior of the container, room, cavity, compartment, or a similar enclosure and a hydraulic conduit connecting the reservoir to the hydraulic locking system is installed. Once the system and the source are mounted and installed, an electronic control system is installed within the interior and connected to the locking system. The electronic control system includes a component for causing the locking system to transition from an unlocked position to a locked position or vis-a-versa. The component can include a receiver unit capable of receiving an activation signal causing the locking system to transition between the locked position and the unlocked position or vis-a-versa. The component can also include a transmitter unit, where the transmitter unit is capable of transmitting a verification signal designed to verify the authenticity of the activation signal and is capable of transmitting a completion signal and where the receiver unit is also capable of receiving an authentication signal. The component can also include an external entry unit such as a keypad, touch pad or another encoded unit such as a finger print pad, a palm print pad, a rental scanner, or other similar encoded unit, where the external unit is designed to generate a signal to transition the locking system between its locked and unlocked positions or vis-a-versa.

The method can also include the step of installing multiple locking systems and a single reservoir and a single electronic control system or each locking system can have its own reservoir and electronic control system. The method can also include sending and receiving signals from the single electronic control system or the individual electronic systems that cause the locking system to transition between their locked and unlocked positions or vis-a-versa.

DEFINITIONS USED IN THE INVENTION

The term “fluid communication” means that one or more components of the internal locking systems of this invention are connected to each other by one or more conduits or tubing that support the flow of hydraulic fluid between the components.

The term “electrical communication” means that one or more components of the internal locking systems of this invention are connected by wires or other electrical conducting conduits that support the flow of electricity between the components.

The term “electronic communication” means that one or more components of the internal locking systems of this invention are in wired or wireless communication so that electronic signals and information can be exchanged between the components. For example, if the electronic control system of the internal locking systems of this invention includes a remote control unit communicates instructions to the electronic control system via any wireless communication protocol, the electronic control system is capable of receiving and acting on the instructions such as unlock the locking unit of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have found that a locking apparatus for any container accessible by a door or an opening can be installed within an interior of the container, where the locking apparatus permits the door or opening to be locked from the inside so as to increase container security. The inventors have found that a hydraulic system provides superior performance, superior reliability, is compact and easily serviced.

The present invention broadly relates to an internal locking apparatus including a hydraulically activated locking system, a hydraulic fluid reservoir and an electronic control system. The hydraulic fluid reservoir is connected to the locking system via a hydraulic conduit, while the electronic control system is connected to the locking system via an electrical conduit. The hydraulic locking system includes a locking member that moves between a retracted position (an unlocked position) and an extended position (a locked position). The hydraulic locking system further includes a pump and a solenoid valve, where the valve is connected to the pump via hydraulic lines and the pump is connected to the hydraulic conduit. The electronic control system includes a receiver and optionally a transmitter. The pump and the valve are electrically connected to the electronic control system so that when a state transition signal is received by the electronic control system via its receiver, a signal is sent to the pump and valve to either extend or retract the locking member depending on its present state. Thus, if the locking member is extended, then the signal will cause the member to be retracted and vis-a-versa. The electronic control system can also include a transmitter which can be used to monitor the state of the lock, to verify the authentication of a receive transition signal or to signal a successful change in state. The apparatus can also include an external unit in electrical communication with the electronic control system and is adapted to allow a person to enter a code directing the locking system to transition between from its locked state to its unlocked state or from its unlocked state to its locked state. The electronic control systems can be constructed to be in wireless communication with a remote unit or a central control unit so that the apparatus can be transitioned remotely between its locked and unlocked state or can be queried as to its state or send information update information periodically on the state of the lock.

The present invention broadly relates to a method for locking a container having an openable opening including the step of installing within the container an internal locking apparatus of this invention. The method also includes the step of issuing a signal to the electronic control system to transition the locking system from its unlocked to its locked position when the opening is in its closed state. The method also includes the step of issuing a second signal to the electronic control system to transition the locking system from its locked position to its unlocked position. The method can also include the steps of loading and unloading contents out of or into the containers interior once the opening is opened. The method can also include the step of monitoring the state of the locking system remotely during transportation. The method can also include the step of transmitting the transition signals from a remote location via a transmitter such as a satellite or cell phone tower. The method can also include the step of entering a code on an external unit. The external unit then issues an instruction to the electronic control system to transition the locking system form one state to another state.

The locking systems of this invention can be based on a solenoid valve configured in two different ways. One preferred valve is a two way, two port, two position 12V DC solenoid valve, which fails in its locked position. The two way, two port, two position 12V DC solenoid valve is designed to act with a single acting cylinder. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the cylinder which retracts or extends the locking member depending on the position of the internal spring. The internal spring generally has an about 7 psi spring force and piston can either be moved by the spring or moved by the cylinder.

Another preferred valve is a double acting cylinder, five port, four way, three position 12 V DC solenoid valve. The valve can optionally include an internal spring, which act as a back up. The valve fails in its closed position if hydraulic pressure leaks. The valve opens by putting fluid pressure on one end of the valve. The valve is normally in its closed (all ports blocked) and unlike the two way valve, the force to move the locking member is not the spring force, but is the compressibility of the hydraulic fluid—an incompressible fluid—a much more difficult force to overcome.

Suitable Materials

The hydraulic fluids for use in this invention include, without limitation, any incompressible fluid or mixtures or combinations thereof. Depending on the application, the fluid may be a low temperature tolerant fluid such as antifreeze or for high temperature fluid such as a silicon fluid. For most applications, the preferred fluid is antifreeze such as a glycol. Exemplary examples of suitable glycols are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or the like, with ethylene glycol being preferred. Of course, if the fluid is not required for low temperature application, water can be used. Also for low temperature applications an aqueous antifreeze solution can be used as well.

Suitable solenoid valves for use in this invention include, without limitation, two way valves available from Peter Paul, Inc. and three way valves available from Kip, Inc.

Suitable pumps for use in this invention include, without limitation, 12 V DC pumps available from Sur-Flo, Inc.

Suitable electronic control systems for use in this invention include, without limitation, electronic control systems from HYVAIR, Inc. which are keyless activated with remote units and operate at 300 MHz and have secure activation codes.

Suitable external control units for use in this invention include, without limitation, keypads, touch pads, voice-activated device or any other electronic device that can receive a code, verify the code, generate an action signal and transmit the action signal. The electronic devices can also include a retinal scanner, a finger print scanner, a palm print scanner or other identification device.

Suitable receivers for use in this invention include, without limitation, Rf receivers, ultrasound receivers, microwave receivers, IR receivers, near IR receivers, radar receivers, laser receivers, or the like or mixtures or combinations thereof.

Suitable transmitters for use in this invention include, without limitation, Rf transmitters, ultrasound transmitters, microwave transmitters, IR transmitters, near IR transmitters, radar transmitters, lasers, any other wireless communications devices or mixtures or combinations thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now toFIGS. 1A&B, a preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally100, is shown. The apparatus100is mounted within a container102on an inner surface104of a double door106, where one door108has a lip110that does not allow the other door112to be opened until and unless the first door108is opened first. The apparatus100includes a housing114. Within the housing114, the apparatus100includes a hydraulic reservoir116, a hydraulic locking system118and an electronic control system120. The hydraulic locking system118includes a retractable locking member122. The hydraulic reservoir116is connected to the hydraulically activated locking system118via a hydraulic conduit124. The locking system118is connected to the electronic system120via an electrical conduit126. The doors108and112are mounted on the container102via hinges128. The container102can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

Referring now toFIGS. 1C&D, another preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally100, is shown. The apparatus100is mounted within a container102on an inner surface104of a double door106, where one door108has a lip110that does not allow the other door112to be opened until and unless the first door108is opened first. The apparatus100includes a hydraulic reservoir116, two hydraulic locking systems118a&b, and an electronic control system120. Each hydraulic locking system118aorbincludes a retractable locking member122a&b. The hydraulic reservoir116is connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems118a&bvia hydraulic conduits124a&b. The locking systems118a&bis connected to the electronic system120via electrical conduits126a&b. The doors108and112are pivotally mounted on the container102via hinges128. The apparatus100can also include an external electronic unit130in electrical communication with the electronic control system120and where the external electronic unit130is adapted to allow a person to enter a code to direct the electronic control system120to cause the locking systems118a&bto transition between their two states. The container102can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

In this embodiment, the two locking systems118a&bcan be controlled independently or collectively depending on the degrees of security desired. If independently controlled, then a telemetry signal must be sent to the electronic system120, which then activates each locking system118a&bwhen its authorization code is sent to cause a transition in the locking system's state. The two locking system118a&bare shown disposed on a top and bottom of the door108.

Referring now toFIGS. 2C&D, a preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally200, is shown. The apparatus200is mounted within a container202on an inner surface204of a sliding door206, where the door206runs in a track210via wheels212. The apparatus200includes a hydraulic reservoir216, two hydraulic locking systems218a&b, and an electronic control system220. Each hydraulic locking system218a&bincludes retractable locking members222a&b. The hydraulic reservoir216is connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems218a&bvia hydraulic lines224a&boriginating at a T-junction226connected to the reservoir216via a hydraulic feed line228. The locking systems218a&bare connected to the electronic system220via electrical wires230a&b. The apparatus200can also include an external electronic unit232in electrical communication with the electronic control system220via a electric wire234and where the external electronic unit232is adapted to allow a person to enter a code to direct the electronic control system220to cause the locking systems218a&bto transition between their two states. The container202can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

Referring now toFIGS. 1E&F, another preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally100, is shown. Two apparatuses100a&bare mounted within a container102on inner surfaces104a&bof a double door106having doors108a&b. The apparatus100aincludes a hydraulic reservoir116a, two hydraulic locking systems118a&b, and an electronic control system120a. The hydraulic locking system118a&binclude a retractable locking member122a&b. The hydraulic reservoir116ais connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems118a&bvia hydraulic conduits124a&b. The locking systems118a&bare connected to the electronic system120avia electrical conduits126a&b. The apparatus100bincludes a hydraulic reservoir116b, two hydraulic locking systems118c&d, and an electronic control system120b. Each of the hydraulic locking systems118c&dinclude a retractable locking member122c&d. The hydraulic reservoir116bis connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems118c&dvia hydraulic conduits124c&d. The locking systems118d&dare connected to the electronic system120bvia electrical conduits126c&d. The doors108a&bare pivotally mounted on the container102via hinges128. The apparatuses100a&beach can also include an external electronic unit130a&bin electrical communication with its respective electronic control system120a&band where the external electronic units130a&bare adapted to allow a person to enter a code to direct the electronic control systems120a&b, collectively or individually, to cause the locking systems118a-dto transition between their two states. The container102can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like. The container102can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

In this embodiment, each of the locking systems118c-dcan be controlled independently or collectively depending on the degree of security desired. If independently controlled, then a telemetry signal must be sent to the electronic systems120a&bwhich then activates each of locking system118a-dwhen its authorization code is sent to cause a transition in the locking system's state. The two locking systems118a&care shown disposed on bottoms132a&bof the doors108a&b; while the other two locking systems118b&dare shown disposed on tops134a&bof the doors108a&b.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A&B, another preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally200, is shown. The apparatus200is mounted within a container202on an inner surface204of a sliding door206, where the door208runs in a track210via wheels212. The apparatus200includes a hydraulic reservoir216, a left hydraulic locking system218a, a right hydraulic locking system218b, and an electronic control system220. The hydraulic locking systems218a&binclude retractable locking members222a&b. The hydraulic reservoir216is connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems218a&bvia hydraulic lines224a&boriginating at a T-junction226connected to the reservoir216via a hydraulic feed line228. The locking systems218a&bare connected to the electronic system220via electrical wires230a&b. The container202can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

Referring now toFIGS. 2C&D, a preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally200, is shown. The apparatus200is mounted within a container202on an inner surface204of a double door206, where the door208runs in a track210via wheels212. The apparatus200includes a hydraulic reservoir216, two hydraulic locking systems218a&b, and an electronic control system220. The hydraulic reservoir216is connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems218a&bvia hydraulic lines222a&boriginating at a T-junction224connected to the reservoir216via a hydraulic feed line226. The locking systems218a&bare connected to the electronic system220via electrical wires228a&b. The locking systems218a&bare connected to the electronic system220via electrical wire230a&b. The apparatus200can also include an external electronic unit232in electrical communication with the electronic control system220via a electric wire234and where the external electronic unit230is adapted to allow a person to enter a code to direct the electronic control system220to cause the locking systems218a&bto transition between their two states. The container202can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

In this embodiment, the two locking systems218a&bcan be controlled independently or collectively depending on the degrees of security desired. If independently controlled, then a telemetry signal must be sent to the electronic system212which then activates each locking system218a&bwhen its authorization code is sent to cause a transition in the locking system's state. The two locking system218a&bare shown disposed on a top of the door206on its right and left sides.

Referring now toFIGS. 2E&F, a preferred embodiment of an internal locking apparatus, generally200, is shown. Two apparatuses200a&bare mounted within a container202on an inner surface204of a sliding door206, where the door206runs in a track210via wheels212. The apparatus200aincludes a hydraulic reservoir216a, two hydraulic locking systems218a&b, and an electronic control system220a. The hydraulic locking system218a&binclude a retractable locking member222a&b. The hydraulic reservoir216ais connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems218a&bvia hydraulic conduits224a&band a T-junction225a. The locking systems218a&bare connected to the electronic system220avia electrical conduits226a&b. The apparatus200bincludes a hydraulic reservoir216b, two hydraulic locking systems218c&d, and an electronic control system220b. Each of the hydraulic locking systems218c&dinclude a retractable locking member222c&d. The hydraulic reservoir216bis connected to the hydraulically activated locking systems218c&dvia hydraulic conduits224c&dand a T-junction225b. The locking systems218d&dare connected to the electronic system220bvia electrical conduits226c&d. The container202can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like. The container202can be a truck trailer, a ship cargo container, or the like.

In this embodiment, each of the locking systems218c-dcan be controlled independently or collectively depending on the degree of security desired. If independently controlled, then a telemetry signal must be sent to the electronic systems220a&bwhich then activates each of locking system218a-dwhen its authorization code is sent to cause a transition in the locking system's state. The two locking systems218a&care shown disposed on a bottom232of the sliding door206; while the other two locking systems218b&dare shown disposed on a top234of the sliding door206.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of an internal locking system, generally300, is shown to include a hydraulic reservoir302, a hydraulic pump304, and a solenoid valve306. The reservoir302includes three hydraulic fluid outlets308a-c. The first hydraulic fluid outlet308ais connected to a pump inlet310of the pump304via a first hydraulic line312a. The second hydraulic fluid outlet308bis connected to a first T-joint314avia a second hydraulic line312band the T-joint314ais connected in turn to a first port316aand a secondport316bof the solenoid valve306, via third and fourth hydraulic lines312c&d, respectively. The third hydraulic fluid outlet308cis connected to a second T-joint314bvia a fifth hydraulic line312eand the T-joint314bis connected in turn to a third port316cand a forth port316dof the solenoid valve306, via sixth and seventh hydraulic lines312f&g, respectively. The solenoid valve306includes an cylinder318connected to a retractable locking member320via a shaft322. The solenoid valve306also includes a fifth port316econnected to a sixth port316fvia a hydraulic line312hand a seventh port316gconnected to a eighth port316hvia a hydraulic line312i. An outlet324of the pump304is connected to a ninth port316ivia a hydraulic line312j. The system300also includes battery326, an electronic controller328and a siren330. The battery326is connected to the electronic controller328via a first electric conduit332a, to the siren330via a second electric conduit332b, to the pump304via a third electric conduit332cand to the valve306via fourth, fifth and sixth electric conduits332d-f. The electronic controller328is connected to the siren330via a first electrical conduit334a, to the pump304via a second electrical conduit334b, and to the valve306via a third electrical conduit334c.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.