Abstract:
A single-use security locking assembly for shipping containers, comprising, a pin, a tether assembly, a locking member, and locking means characterized in that the tether assembly snugly fits around door bars of a shipping container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to security systems and more particularly, to security locking assemblies for shipping containers. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Millions of shipping containers flow through ports all over the world on a daily basis. It is imperative to keep the contents of those shipping containers secure and not have them compromised. In addition to theft of contents, there is a need to ensure that shipping containers are not used as vehicles to transport illegal narcotics, illegal weapons, and otherwise unauthorized matter. Theft is often accomplished when a container door itself is compromised, such as when a handle is disassembled when its rivets are removed to open container doors. Once disassembled, the handle is typically re-riveted to not raise suspicion. In other cases, the locking systems themselves are compromised. 
   Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. published patent application no. 20050006910, published for Foigel, Veniamin A.; et al. on Jan. 13, 2005 for Cable lock and method. However, it differs from the present invention because Foigel, Veniamin A.; et al. teaches some embodiments of a cable lock provide a body defining a housing in which a cable can be received to lock the cable lock. In some embodiments, the cable is rotatable with respect to the housing when the cable lock is in a locked state, thereby increasing the difficulty of circumventing the lock. The cable lock can have a wall with an aperture shaped to compliment the cross-sectional shape of the cable passed therethrough, an end wall that can be attached to the housing by rolling or crimping an edge of the housing over the end wall, and/or one or more visual indicators providing a manner by which tampering of the cable lock can be detected. 
   Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,380 issued to Rice on Nov. 16, 1999 for Tether assembly. However, it differs from the present invention because Rice teaches a tether assembly for tethering an object, which tether assembly includes a cable having opposite ends and a connector attached to one of the opposite ends, and a retaining block for securing the cable to a support. The retaining block includes two parallel through-bores, which extend through the retaining block and are provided for receiving the cable. The retaining block also includes a stepped bore, which has a threaded portion and a non-threaded terminal portion. The non-threaded terminal portion of the stepped bore has a cylindrical portion, which terminates at a common intersection with each of the two parallel through-bores, and a tapered end. A spherical element is positionable in the non-threaded portion of the stepped bore. In use, the retaining block is secured to a support structure and the connector is connected to an object to be tethered. Next, the cable is looped through the two parallel through-bores and a threaded member is driven into the threaded portion of the stepped bore to press the spherical element against the cable. The tether assembly can be used to tether door security devices, outboard motors, trailers, and a variety of other objects. 
   Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,196 issued to Storer on May 19, 1992 for Tamper deterrent locking device and method of using. However, it differs from the present invention because Storer teaches a tamper deterrent locking device including a cable secured to a female member, the cable forming a loop projecting from the female member with the free end thereof projecting through an aperture in the female member. The male member fits into the aperture to frictionally lock the cable between the male and female members. The loop is passed through two aligned holes in two pieces of relatively movable apparatus whereby one who moves said relatively movable pieces is required to sever the cable or disengage it from the frictional engagement. 
   Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A single-use security locking assembly for shipping containers, comprising a pin comprising a head having a shank extending therefrom. The shank has at least two holes. Extending from the first hole to the second hole are first and second channels. The shank further comprises a groove and terminates at an end. The groove is perpendicularly disposed to the first and second channels. A tether assembly has a tether that comprises first and second ends. The first end has end and the second end has an eyebolt. The eyebolt has a shank and a face. The face has a hole. The hole on the face has cooperative dimensions to receive the end of the tether. A locking member comprises sidewalls and an axial through aperture, and it terminates at end. The locking member also has a snap ring. The snap ring has cooperative dimensions to snap onto the groove. The aperture has cooperative dimensions to receive the end of the pin. The locking member has means to lock the tether assembly to the pin by inserting the end of the tether through the hole of the face and through the first hole, along the first channel, through the second hole. The end of the pin is aligned and inserted into the aperture, and the tether falls into the second channel as the locking member slidably journals with sufficient force onto the shank until the snap ring snaps into the groove. The tether assembly snugly fits around door bars of a container, such as a shipping container. 
   It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a locking tether assembly for shipping container doors that is effective against tampering. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a locking tether assembly for shipping container doors that is durable. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
   Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of the instant invention unlocked. 
       FIG. 2  represents a perspective view of the instant invention ready to be locked. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cut view of the locking member locked upon the pin. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the instant invention secured upon shipping container doors. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes pin  20 , locking member  50 , and tether assembly  80 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , pin  20  comprises head  22  having shank  24  extending therefrom. Shank  24  has holes  26  and  30 . Extending from hole  26  to hole  30  are channels  31 , only one of which is illustrated in this view. Shank  24  further comprises groove  28  and terminates at end  32 . Locking member  50  comprises sidewall  52  and aperture  54 , and terminates at end  56 . Aperture  54  having cooperative dimensions to receive end  32  of pin  20 . Tether assembly  80  comprises tether  82  extending from eye-bolt  84 . Eye bolt  84  has shank  88 . Eye-bolt  84  also comprises face  90  having hole  92 . Hole  92  having cooperative dimensions to receive end  86  of tether  82 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , to position instant invention  10  for locking, end  86  is inserted through hole  92 , through hole  26 , along channel  31 , located opposite the illustrated channel  31 , and through hole  30 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to lock instant invention  10 , end  32  is aligned with and inserted into aperture  54 . It is noted that tether  82  falls into channel  31 , seen in  FIG. 1 , as locking member  50  slidably journals onto shank  24  until snap ring  58  snaps into groove  28 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , door assembly  100  comprises doors  102  each having door bars  104 . One of doors  102  has frame  106  comprising handle  110 . Handle  110  is used to open doors  102 . Typically, frame  106  is secured onto door  102  with rivet  108 . To lock instant invention  10  upon door assembly  100 , tether  82  is wrapped around each of the door bars  104 . Then, as described above, end  86  is inserted through hole  92 , through hole  26 , along channel  31 , located opposite the illustrated channel  31  in  FIG. 1 , and through hole  30 . To lock instant invention  10 , end  32  is aligned with and inserted into aperture  54 , and tether  82  falls into channel  31  as locking member  50  slidably journals onto shank  24  until snap ring  58  snaps into groove  28 . 
   Even if rivet  108  and handle  110  are removed from door assembly  100 , doors  102  may not be opened once instant invention  10  is locked since tether assembly  80  wraps around door bars  104 . 
   The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.