LOCK DEVICE

Abstract: A lock device which comprises (a) a lock comprising a hasp (14), and a body (12) which contains a lock mechanism and which has two openings formed in it for receiving the ends of the hasp (14) which can be retained in the openings by the lock mechanism when the lock is in a locked condition; (b) a pin element (8) which has at least one recess (20) formed in it extending around at least part of its periphery for receiving the hasp (14) in it; and (c) a protective casing (4) which has at least one pin element opening (6) through which the pin element (8) can be inserted into the casing (4), and a compartment (10) in which the lock can be located, the pin element opening (6) and the compartment (10) being so aligned that the hasp (14) on the lock can engage the recess (20) in the pin element (8) when it is inserted into the casing (4) and so prevent withdrawal of the pin element (8) from the casing (4).

Description: LOCK DEVICE This invention relates to a lock device and to objects with which the lock device can be used. A padlock comprises a hasp, and a body which contains a lock mechanism and which has two openings formed in it for receiving the ends of the hasp which can be retained in the openings by the lock mechanism when the padlock is in a locked condition. Such locks are particularly vulnerable to attack by damage to the hasp, for example using bolt cutters or a saw. US-4883294 discloses a locking device in which a padlock is retained in an enclosure. The enclosure has openings in its walls through which a deadbolt can pass. The deadbolt has a notch formed in it for receiving the body of a padlock when the padlock is it its locked condition. When in this condition, the deadbolt cannot be slid out of the housing. The device disclosed in US-4883294 has the disadvantage that force applied to the deadbolt relative to the enclosure can damage the padlock, making it difficult then to release the deadbolt from the enclosure. The present invention provides a lock device in which a recess is formed in a pin element for receiving the hasp of a lock. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a lock device which comprises: (a) a lock comprising a hasp, and a body which contains a lock mechanism and which has two openings formed in it for receiving the ends of the hasp which can be retained in the openings by the lock mechanism when the lock is in a locked condition; (b) a pin element which has at least one recess formed in it extending around at least part of its periphery for receiving the hasp in it; (c) a protective casing which has at least one pin element opening through which the pin element can be inserted into the casing, and a compartment in which the lock can be located, the pin element opening and the compartment being so aligned that the hasp on the lock can engage the recess in the pin element when it is inserted into the casing and so prevent withdrawal of the pin element from the casing. The lock device of the invention has the advantage that, in the event that force is applied to the pin element relative to the casing to damage the lock, the component of the lock that is damaged is the hasp rather then the body with the locking mechanism inside. This can mean that the locking mechanism can still function after the damage. A further significant advantage of the device is that, by appropriate selection of the pin element and the lock, the lock in its protective casing can be allowed to rotate around the pin element. This can facilitate closing of the lock since the hasp can be made to drop into and out of the body of the lock under force of gravity, according to the orientation of the lock. The hasp provides two arms which can be received in the openings in the lock body. Either or both of the arms may be released entirely from the openings, for example for rotation of the hasp relative to the body. In many situations, however, the arms of the hasp will move in directions into and out of the lock body, while not necessarily moving entirely out of the body. The hasp will commonly comprise two generally parallel arms, joined by a base portion, and frequently will be generally U-shaped. However, the hasp can have any other configuration provided that it engages appropriately the openings in the lock body and the recess in the pin element. Preferably, the pin element is approximately circular in cross- section, and the hasp comprises two generally parallel limbs joined by a generally rounded base portion. This has the advantage of facilitating rotation of the protective casing around the pin element, to achieve the advantageous results referred to above. Preferably, the casing has a single pin element opening formed in it so that the free end of the pin element cannot pass through the casing. This has the significant advantage that access is denied to the free end of the pin element to interfere with the lock and the engagement between the lock and the pin element; for example, force cannot be applied to the free end of the pin element relative to the protective casing to force the pin element out of the casing. The casing may be formed from a number of components which can be fastened to one another, for example by welding or by use of fasteners. Preferably, the casing is formed from a block of material, for example by casting or by removal of material from the block to provide the opening and the compartment. Preferably, the lock is retained in the compartment by retaining means. For example, a screw may be provided extending through the protective casing to engage the lock body. Preferably, the recess is spaced from the end of the pin element. In this event, it can be appropriate for the side faces cf the pin element to be trimmed, for example by creation of flats, to allow the side portions to pass through the hasp, between the arms thereof, when the hasp is released from the lock body. It can be preferred for the recess to be provided by a groove defined axially of the pin element by two spaced apart axially facing surfaces. This ensures that the lock is positively located on the pin element, in both directions along the pin element. The pin element can have a plurality of recesses formed in it for receiving the hasp extending around at least part of its periphery, so that the pin element can be engaged by the hasp of the lock in a number of different positions. The lock device of the invention can be used to immobilise a wheel. Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention provides a wheel which has been immobilised by means of a lock device of the type discussed above, in which the wheel has an aperture extending through it, and in which the pin element extends through the said opening, one end of the pin element being engaged by the lock with the associated protective casing, and the other end of the pin element projecting radially beyond the outermost point of the wheel and any tyre provided on it. The pin element may include a cross-piece at the end which projects radially beyond the outermost point of the wheel and any tyre on it, to prevent the pin element from being forced below that outermost point. The lock device of the invention can be used to lock two objects to one another which otherwise might be movable relative to one another. Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention provides a pair of objects which are movable relative to one another, which are locked to one another so as to restrict such relative movement by means of a lock device of the type discussed above, the pin element being connected to one of the objects, and the protective casing being connected to the other of the objects. Such objects which might be locked together might include, for example, a pair of sliding doors, a single sliding door with its frame, a hinged door or window, and so on. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a lock shown partially in cross-section; Figure 2 shows a vertical cross-section through one side of the lock on the line II-II' in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a pin element for engaging the lock shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the pin element shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of a lock device; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a vehicle wheel to which a lock device according to the invention has been fitted; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of two movable objects which have been fastened to one another by means of a lock device; Figure 8 is a plan view of a sliding door which is locked in the closed position by means of a lock device according to the invention. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a lock device 2 which comprises a protective casing 4 that is formed from a solid block of material, for example a metal such as stainless steel, by machining. The casing has a recess 6 for receiving the free end of a pin element 8. The casing also has a compartment 10 for receiving the body portion of a lock 12. The lock 12 comprises a body portion which fits into the compartment 10 in the protective casing. The lock further includes a U-shaped hasp 14. The hasp comprises two arms which are received, and slide in directions into and out of two openings in the upper surface of the body of the lock 12. The body of the lock is retained in the compartment 10 in the protective casing 4 by means of a screw 16, which passes through a wall of the protective casing and engages the body of the lock. The pin element 8 is formed as an elongate rod, and is attached to an object 24, such as a flange or a door. It has a recess 20 formed in it, which extends around the circumference of the pin. The pin is circular in cross-section. The portion of the pin between the recess 20 and the free end 22 has flattened side walls, so that that portion of the pin can fit between the two arms of the hasp 14. To fit the lock, the protective casing 4 with its associated lock 12 are inverted from the position shown in Figure 1 with the mechanism of the lock in an unlocked condition. This allows the hasp 14 to drop out of the lock body. The free end 22 of the pin element 8 is then inserted into the lock body so that the free end of the pin element engages the closed end wall of the pin element opening 6. The pin element is able to pass the arms of the hasps because of the flattened portions of its side walls. The protective casing 4 with its associated lock is then rotated again to the position shown in Figure 1. This allows the hasp 14 to drop over the pin element 8, into the openings in the lock body. The hasp can be retained in the lock body, for example by means of a key-operated mechanism as considered appropriate. The lock device is released by reversing the procedure described above. The flange 24 to which the pin element is connected can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 to cover the screw 16 by which the lock is retained in the compartment 10. Figure 5 shows a lock device similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the protective casing is made from material in sheet form. Figure 6 shows a tandem wheel such as is used on commercial vehicles. Two tyres 32, 34 are mounted on the wheel 36, which is mounted on a hub 38. The pin element 40 is inserted between the tyres, and one end 42 protrudes through a hole in the wheel. It is engaged there by means of a lock 44 with an associated protective casing, of the type discussed above. The pin element has a cross piece 46 towards its other end 48, which rests against the tyres 32, 34 on the wheel 36. A nut cover 50 is provided to prevent tampering with the nuts by which the wheel is fastened to the hub. The nut cover is also held in place by means of the lock 44. Figure 7 shows two moveable elements 52, 54, which might be, for example, two interior doors, one door and its frame, and so on. Each of the objects 52, 54 has a hole formed in it for receiving a pin element 56. A lock 58, with its associated protective casing, engages a recess 60 formed in the pin element. Figure 8 shows a sliding door 61 which, when closed, abuts a wall 64. A pin element 66 -is fastened to the wall, and the door bears an apertured plate 68, in which the aperture can receive the pin element 66. The pin element has a circumferentially extending groove formed in it, which can be engaged by a lock with an associated protective casing, of the type discussed generally above.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A lock device which comprises: (a) a lock comprising a hasp, and a body which contains a lock mechanism and which has two openings formed in it for receiving the ends of the hasp which can be retained in the openings by the lock mechanism when the lock is in a locked condition; (b) a pin element which has at least one recess formed in it extending around at least part of its periphery for receiving the hasp in it; (c) a protective casing which has at least one pin element opening through which the pin element can be inserted into the casing, and a compartment in which the lock can be located, the pin element opening and the compartment being so aligned that the hasp on the lock can engage the recess in the pin element when it is inserted into the casing and so prevent withdrawal of the pin element from the casing. 2. A lock device as claimed in claim 1, in which the pin element is approximately circular in cross-section, and in which the hasp comprises two generally parallel limbs joined by a generally rounded base portion. 3. A lock device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the casing has a single pin element opening formed in it so that the free end of the pin element cannot pass through the casing. 4. A lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the casing is formed from a block of material. 5. A lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the lock is retained in the compartment by retaining means. 6. A lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the recess is spaced from the end of the pin element. 7. A lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the recess is a groove defined axially of the pin element by two spaced apart axially facing surfaces. 8. A lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the pin element has a plurality of recesses formed in it for receiving the hasp extending around at least part of its periphery. 9. A wheel which has been immobilised by means of a lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the wheel has an aperture extending through it, and in which the pin element extends through the said opening, one end of the pin element being engaged by the lock with the associated protective casing, and the other end of the pin element projecting radially beyond the outermost point of the wheel and any tyre provided on it. 10. A pair of objects which are movable relative to one another, which are locked to one another so as to restrict such relative movement by means of a lock device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the pin element being connected to one of the objects, and the protective casing being connected to the other of the objects. 11. A pair of objects as claimed in claim 10, in which the lock is retained in the compartment by a retaining device, the retaining device being made inaccessible by one or both of the objects when they are locked to one another.

Inventors: FILLINGHAM ANDREW JOHN, FILLINGHAM, ANDREW, JOHN
Applicants: FILLINGHAM ANDREW JOHN, FILLINGHAM, ANDREW, JOHN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E05B67
IPC codes: B60R25, E05B67