Patent Publication Number: US-2023145548-A1

Title: Latching handle assembly door guard

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to storage container doors having a latch handle assembly thereon for locking the door in a closed position, and more particularly to a security guard for the latch handle assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Box trucks, semi-trailers, trailers, shipping containers, and storage units can have doors that are closed and locked with a latching handle assembly. Padlocks are often used to lock the latching handle assembly and doors in place. However, thieves can break the padlocks with bolt cutters, axes, hammers, and other tools. Once the padlock is broken or otherwise compromised, a thief can open the latching handle assembly, open the door, and then access the contents of the container. Padlock guards are commercially available, and each is generally designed to hinder access to the padlock when the latching handle assembly is in the closed position. However, these designs merely cover the padlock, and thieves are still able to insert cutting tools into the cover to break the padlock. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are a door guard for use with a latching handle assembly and door guard system. 
     The door guard can include a guard body comprising a main plate, a bottom guard connected to a bottom of the main plate, and a side wall connected to a side of the main plate; a partition wall connected to a surface of the main plate, wherein the partition wall has a ridge formed in an upper portion thereof, wherein the ridge is configured to receive a handle of the latching handle assembly, wherein the partition wall has a first opening formed therein; a pin configured to extend through the first opening of the partition wall, wherein the pin is further configured to extend through a hole in the handle of the latching handle assembly when the door guard is placed on the latching handle assembly and the handle is received in the ridge of the partition wall; and a lock connected to the surface of the main plate and to the side wall, wherein the lock is configured to receive an end of the pin, wherein the lock contains a locking mechanism configured to secure the end of the pin within the lock; wherein the guard body, the partition wall, and the lock are arranged to at least substantially enclose a portion of the pin that extends through the hole in the handle of the latching handle assembly when the door guard is placed on the latching handle assembly. 
     The door guard system can include the above-mentioned door guard and the latching handle assembly. 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view an embodiment of a door guard according to the disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a side view of the main plate of door guard of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a perspective view of the pin of the door guard of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a door guard according to the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a side view of the main plate of the door guard of  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a door guard according to the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates an isolated perspective view of the lock in  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a perspective view of a door guard system according to the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a side view of the door guard system in relation to a roll-up door according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     “Latching handle assembly” as used herein refers to an assembly for a container door that is attached to the door and that has a mechanism that couples to a floor, ceiling, or wall of the container. The latching handle assembly can have a handle that is movable (e.g., pivotable) from an open position in which the door can be opened to a closed position in which the door is closed. The latching handle assembly can have a latch attached to the door that receives the handle therein, and the latch has a hole formed in a portion thereof (e.g., a hole in a locking plate of the latch). The hole in the latch is configured to align with a hole formed in an end of the handle when the handle is moved to the closed position. The aligned holes are configured to receive a locking mechanism, e.g., a padlock, when the handle and latch holes are aligned. The handle can also be connected to a hook that can move with the handle when the handle is moved from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa, to secure the door in the closed position or allow the door to be raised or moved to the open position. An example of a latching handle assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,314, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Disclosed herein is a door guard for use with a latching handle assembly and a door guard system that includes the latching handle assembly. The terms “door guard” and “latching handle assembly door guard” can be used interchangeably, and the terms “door guard system” and “latching handle assembly door guard system” can be used interchangeably. 
     Various embodiments of a door guard are disclosed. The door guard is generally configured to lock a latching handle assembly in place while restricting access to a pin that locks the handle of the latching handle assembly. A padlock is not used to lock the handle in place. The door guard may be configured and positioned on the latching handle assembly such that bolt cutters cannot reach the pin, while allowing a user to access a lock of the door guard to unlock the lock of the door guard. More particularly, the door guard can have a guard body, a partition wall, and a lock that are arranged to substantially enclose a portion of the pin that extends through a hole in the handle and a hole in the latch of the latching handle assembly when the door guard is placed on the latching handle assembly. By extending through the hole of the handle and a hole in the latch (e.g., a hole in the locking plate of the latch) of the latching handle assembly, the pin locks the latching handle assembly in place against the door, and the door guard in combination with the latching handle assembly substantially encloses the portion of the pin that extends through the hole of the handle and the hole of the latch. 
     “Substantially encloses” and variations thereof as used herein mean that the pin is not accessible by bolt cutters or other lock cutting tool when the door guard is placed on the latching handle assembly. 
     The door guard can generally be made of steel, brass, chrome, copper, tungsten, hard plastics, silicon carbide, other durable materials, or combinations thereof. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the door guard  100 .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a side view of the main plate  110  of the door guard  100 , and  FIG.  1 C  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the pin  170  of  FIG.  1 A . The door guard  100  has a guard body  101 , a partition wall  150 , a pin  170 , and a lock  180 . 
     A reference coordinate system  102  is illustrated in  FIG.  1 A  to show the directions in which length L, height H, and width W will be discussed for the embodiments illustrated in all the drawings. 
     The guard body  101  can include a main plate  110 , a top guard  120 , a bottom guard  130 , and a side wall  140 . Alternative embodiments of the guard body  101  can have more than one top guard  120 , more than one bottom guard  130 , more than one side wall  140 , or combinations thereof. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the main plate  110  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  1 A , the main plate  110  is a flat piece of metal. The main plate  110  can be described as having integrally formed sections  111 ,  112 , and  113  that are arranged to form the polygonal shape of the main plate  110  shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . The first section  111  can generally have a pentagonal shape (e.g., with three right angles), the second section  112  can generally have a rectangular shape, and the third section  113  can have a rectangular shape. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1 B , the first section  111  can have a height H 1  in a range of from about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 4 inches; alternatively, of about 3 inches (e.g., 3.149 inches). The second section  112  can have a height H 2  in a range of about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a height H 2  of about 3 inches (e.g., 2.953 inches). The third section  113  can have a height H 3  in a range of from about 0.5 to about 3 inches; alternatively, from about 0.5 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a height H 3  of about 1 inch (e.g., 1.181 inches). With reference to  FIG.  1 B , the main plate  110  can have a length L 1  in a range of from about 1 to about 20 inches; alternatively, from about 6 to about 8 inches; alternatively, a length L 1  of about 7 inches (e.g., 7.087 inches). 
     The first section  111  and second section  112  are generally placed side-by-side, with a bottom  115  of the second section  112  positioned higher relative to a bottom  116  of the first section  111  by a distance equal to the height H 3  of the third section  113 . In this configuration, the third section  113  is also placed side-by-side with the first section  111  and under the second section  112 . 
     The main plate  110  can have a width in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a width of about 0.25 inch (e.g., 0.236 inch). 
     The top guard  120  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  1 A , the top guard  120  is a flat piece of metal. The top guard  120  can be generally rectangular in shape. In embodiments, a plane of the top guard  120  can extend perpendicular with respect to a plane of the main plate  110 . The top guard  120  can be made of the same material as the main plate  110 . The top guard  120  can be connected to the first section  111  of the main plate  110 . The top guard  120  can be connected to a top surface of the first section  111  main plate  110  or can be connected to a surface  114  of the main plate  110  on the first section  111 . 
     The top guard  120  can have a length in a range of from about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 0.5 to about 4 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1 inch (e.g., 0.984 inch). The top guard  120  can have a width in a range of from about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a width of about 2 inches (e.g., 1.772 inches). The top guard  120  can have a height in a range of from about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch. 
     In embodiments, the door guard  100  can also have a securing plate  190  illustrated in  FIG.  1 A . The securing plate  190  can be attached to the top guard  120  and to the main plate  110 , and can extend perpendicularly downward from the top guard  120  in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the main plate  110 . The securing plate  190  can function as a spacer that further limits lateral movement of the handle of the latching handle assembly when the door guard  100  is positioned over and coupled with the latching handle assembly. In these embodiments, the main plate  110 , the top guard  120 , and the securing plate  190  of the door guard  100  are configured to surround the handle of the latching handle assemble, preventing movement of the handle. 
     The bottom guard  130  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  1 A , the bottom guard  130  is a flat piece of metal. The bottom guard  130  can be generally rectangular in shape. In embodiments, a plane of the bottom guard  130  can extend perpendicular with respect to the plane of the main plate  110 . In embodiments, the plane of the bottom guard  130  can extend parallel with respect to the plane of the top guard  120 . The bottom guard  130  can be made of the same material as the main plate  110 . The bottom guard  130  can be connected to the second section  112  of the main plate  110 . In some embodiments, the bottom guard  130  can be connected to first section  111  and the second section  112  of the main plate  110 , for example, including where the first section  111  and the second section  112  meet. The bottom guard  130  can be connected to the surface  114  of the main plate  110 . The bottom guard  130  can be positioned to restrict access to the partition wall  150 , pin  170 , and lock  180 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  1 A , the bottom guard  130  is positioned to restrict access to the space S 2  where the opening  183  of the lock  180  accepts the pin  170 . 
     The bottom guard  130  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, a width of about 2 inches (e.g., 1.772 inches). The bottom guard  130  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1.26 inches. The bottom guard  130  can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inches. 
     The side wall  140  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  1 A , the side wall  140  is a flat piece of metal. The side wall  140  can be generally rectangular in shape. The side wall  140  can be made of the same material as the main plate  110 . The side wall  140  can be connected to the second section  112  of the main plate  110 . The side wall  140  can be connected to a side surface of the second section  112  of the main plate  110  or can be connected to the surface  114  of the main plate  110 . In embodiments, a plane of the side wall  140  can extend perpendicular with respect to the plane of the main plate  110 , the plane of the top guard  120 , and the plane of the bottom guard  130 . The side wall  140  can be positioned to block access to the lock  180  from the side of the door guard  100 . 
     The side wall  140  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a length of about 0.236 inch. The side wall  140  can have a width in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.3 inches. The side wall  140  can have a height in a range of from about 1 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 6 inches; alternatively, from about 3 to about 5 inches; alternatively, a height of about 4 inches (e.g., 4.134 inches). 
     The partition wall  150  can be connected to the surface  114  of the main plate  110  such that there is a space S 1  formed for a handle of the latching handle assembly between an upper portion  153  of the partition wall  150  and the main plate  110 . The partition wall  150  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  1 A , the partition wall  150  is a flat piece of metal. The partition wall  150  can have a side  151  connected to surface  114  of the main plate  110  and a bottom  152  connected to the bottom guard  130 . The opposite side  154  of the partition wall  150  is the side that is placed against a door of the storage container. The partition wall  150  can have an opening  160  formed in the upper portion  153  thereof such that the space S 1  is formed between the main plate  110  and the upper portion  153  of the partition wall  150 . The partition wall  150  can also have a ridge  161  formed therein proximate to the side  151 , and in some embodiments, in spatial communication with the opening  160 . A handle of a latching handle assembly can pass downwardly through the space S 1  so as to rest on the ridge  161  formed in the partition wall  150 , and a pin  170  of the door guard  100  can be placed in the opening  160  (the pin  170  is described in more detail below). 
     In embodiments, the partition wall  150  is configured to absorb shock and vibration to protect the integrity of the pin  170 . For example, in a scenario where a would-be thief attempts to break the door guard  100  by swinging a hammer against the door guard  100 , the partition wall  150  can absorb the shock of the hammer blows to the guard body  101  such that none of the blows are able to bend, break, or damage the pin  170 . 
     The partition wall  150  can have a length in a range of from about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a length of about 0.5 inch (e.g., 0.472 inch). The partition wall  150  can have a width in a range of from about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.772 inches. The partition wall  150  can have a height in a range of from about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, a height of about 3 inches (e.g., 2.914 inches). 
     The ridge  161  can have a length in a range of from about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a length of about 0.591 inches. The ridge  161  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, a height of about 1.575 inches. The opening  160  in the partition wall  150  can have a dimension (e.g., diameter, length) that is greater than a diameter of the pin  170 . 
     The pin  170  is configured to fit through a hole in the latching handle assembly (e.g., a hole in the end of the handle and a hole in the locking plate of the latch) and the opening  160  in the partition wall  150 . In embodiments, the pin  170  is a rod, where the rod can be linear or bent into an L-shape. An end  173  of the pin  170  can have a notch  175  formed therein. In embodiments, the pin  170  can generally have a first portion  171  and a second portion  172  integrally formed into a L-shaped rod. The first portion  171  of the pin  170  can have the notch  175  formed on the end  173  thereof. 
     The first portion  171  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 10 inches; alternatively, a length of about 4.6 inches. The second portion  172  of the pin  170  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 10 inches; alternatively, a length of about 2.2 inches. The pin  170  can have a diameter in a range of about 0.2 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.5 inch; alternatively, a diameter of about 0.4 inch (e.g., 0.394 inch). The diameter of the pin  170  is generally thicker than a diameter of a padlock and is thus more resistant to being cut by bolt cutters than a typical padlock. 
     The lock  180  is configured to accept an end  173  of the pin  170  having the notch  175  formed therein. The lock  180  can be attached to the main plate  110  and to the side wall  140 . Nonlimiting examples of the lock  180  can include a rotating cam lock, a rim cylinder lock, a Mortise cylinder lock, a wall mounted lock, a bolt style lock, a disk lock, a push lock, or combinations thereof. The lock  180  may have a locking mechanism  181  contained therein that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position so as to lock and unlock the lock  180  when the end  173  of the pin  170  having the notch  175  is received in the lock  180 . The locking mechanism  181  is illustrated in  FIG.  1 A  as a dashed-line circle on the bottom of the lock  180 ; however, it is to be understood that user access to the lock  180  can be via the illustrated area for the locking mechanism  181 , and other portions of the locking mechanism  181  (e.g., internal parts that engage the notch  175  of the pin  170 ) can be contained within the lock  180 , are known in the art with the aid of this disclosure, and are not illustrated for clarity. 
     The lock  180  can have a length in a range of from about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1.2 inches (e.g., 1.181 inches). The lock  180  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.3 inches. The lock  180  can have a height in a range of about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, a height of about 1.7 inches. 
     The main plate  110 , the bottom guard  130 , the side wall  140 , and the partition wall  150  are configured and arranged such that the locking mechanism  181  is accessible and an opening  182  is formed between the bottom of the lock  180  and the top of the bottom guard  130 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , the locking mechanism  181  faces downward toward the opening  182  that is formed by the arrangement of the main plate  110 , the bottom guard  130 , the side wall  140 , and the partition wall  150  of the door guard  100 . The lock  180  can be connected to the main plate  110  and to the side wall  140  such that the locking mechanism  181  is not blocked by the bottom guard  130 ; and the main plate  110 , the bottom guard  130 , the partition wall  150 , and the lock  180  are arranged to block access to a space S 2  in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  can be received when locking the pin  170  in the lock  180 , and in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  is inserted into the holes of the handle and latch of the latching handle assembly when the door guard  100  is placed on the latching handle assembly. The lock  180  can also have an opening  183  formed on a side thereof that is configured to receive the end  173  of the pin  170 . The lock  180  can be configured such that the opening  183  faces towards the partition wall  150  of the door guard  100 . 
     The main plate  110 , the top guard  120 , the side wall  140 , the partition wall  150 , and the lock  180  are configured and arranged to form a space S 3 . The space S 3  formed by the arrangement is configured to receive the handle, the latch, or both the handle and the latch of the latching handle assembly of the door that is to be guarded by the door guard  100 . In the embodiment of the door guard  100  depicted in  FIG.  1 A , the second section  112  of the main plate  110  is taller than the first section  111  to protect the lock  180  and the latch of a latching handle assembly that is received in space S 3 . The top guard  120  can be a separate piece of the same material as the main plate  110  that is then attached to the main plate  110 . The top guard  120  can be attached to a portion of the main plate  110  that covers a portion of the handle of the latching handle assembly. The top guard  120  is configured to extend over the handle to prevent the handle from being lifted vertically while the door guard  100  is positioned over and coupled with the latching handle assembly. 
     Currently available door guards cover the latching handle assembly of a container after the assembly has been locked with a padlock or other type of primary locking device. These door guards provide limited access to the padlock; however, it is possible for thieves to insert lock cutting devices into the currently available door guards for access to the padlock. The door guard  100  in  FIG.  1 A  has the pin  170  extending through the handle and latch (e.g., a hole in the locking plate of the latch) of the latching handle assembly of a container door instead of a padlock. Moreover, the door guard  100  uses the main plate  110 , partition wall  150 , bottom guard  130 , and side wall  140  to substantially enclose the pin  170  and prevent access to the pin  170 , except for the opening  182  that is formed by the arrangement of the main plate  110 , the partition wall  150 , the bottom guard  130 , and the side wall  140  for access to the locking mechanism  181  of the lock  180 . However, the dimensions of the opening  182  (e.g., a height in a range of from about 0.1 to about 0.3 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch; and a width that matches the width of the bottom guard  130 ) are configured such that bolt cutters or other lock cutting tools do not fit through the opening  182  and into the space S 2  that contains the pin  170 . Moreover, by integrating a securing mechanism (e.g., the pin  170 ) of the door guard  100  for the latching handle assembly into the door guard  100  itself and using portions of the door guard  100  to block access to the pin  170 , the disclosed door guard  100  removes access to the traditionally used padlock (because no padlock is used) and blocks access to the pin  170  from all sides and from the bottom of the door guard  100 . When used on a latching handle assembly, access to the pin  170  from above is blocked by the handle of the latching handle assembly that is received in space S 1  and the latch of the latching handle assembly that is received in space S 2 . In some embodiments, an additional top guard, such as the top guard  220 A described for door guard  200  in  FIG.  2 A , can block access to the pin  170  from the top of the door guard  100 . 
       FIG.  2 A  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the door guard  200 .  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a side view of the surface  218  of the main plate  210  of the door guard of  FIG.  2 A . 
     The door guard  200  has a guard body  201 , a partition wall  250 , the pin  170  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C  (shown in dashed lines), and the lock  180  of  FIG.  1 A . 
     The guard body  201  can include a main plate  210 , two top guards  220 A and  220 B, a bottom guard  230 , and a side wall  240 . Alternative embodiments of the guard body  201  can have more than two top guards  220 A and  220 B, more than one bottom guard  230 , more than one side wall  240 , or combinations thereof. The arrangement and dimensions of the main plate  210 , two top guards  220 A and  220 B, the bottom guard  230 , and the side wall  240  are different than the arrangement and dimensions of the main plate  110 , top guard  120 , bottom guard  130 , and side wall  140  of  FIG.  1 A . 
     The main plate  210  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  2 A , the main plate  210  is a flat piece of metal having a curved bottom  211  that connects with the bottom guard  230 . The main plate  210  can be generally rectangular in shape. 
     The main plate  210  can have a length in a range of from about 1 to about 20 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 10 inches; alternatively, from about 3 to about 8 inches; alternatively, a length of about 6 inches; alternatively, a length of about 6.4 inches. The main plate  210  can have a height in a range of from about 1 to about 10 inches; alternatively, from about 5 to about 6 inches; alternatively, a height of about 5.75 inches. The main plate  110  can have a width in a range of from about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inch; alternatively, a width of about 0.236 inch. 
     The main plate  210  can have two integrally formed sections  216  and  217  arranged such that the first section  216  is above the second section  217 . The first section  216  can generally have a rectangular shape, and the second section  217  can generally have a rectangular shape. The first section  216  can have a length L 2  that is greater than a length L 3  of the second section  217 . The length L 2  of the first section  216  can be greater than the length L 3  of the second section  217  by an amount in a range of from about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1.811 inches. The first section  216  can have a height H 4  in a range of from about 2 to about 10 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 6 inches; alternatively, a height H 4  of about 3 inches. The second section  217  can have a height H 5  in a range of from about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a height H 5  of about 2.165 inches. 
     The two top guards  220 A and  220 B are generally pieces of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that are flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  2 A , the two top guards  220  are flat pieces of metal with curved ends  221 A and  221 B that connect to the top  212  of the main plate  210 . In embodiments, the two top guards  220  can be generally rectangular in shape. In  FIG.  2 A , the first top guard  220 A can be seen connected to a side  214  of the main plate  210 , and the second top guard  220 B can be seen connected to an opposite side  215  of the main plate  210 . Each of the top guards  220 A and  220 B can be connected to a top surface of the main plate  210  or to the surface  218  of the main plate  210 . Top guard  220 A is configured to prevent access to the lock  180  and to the latch of a latching handle assembly that is placed in space S 7  of the door guard  200 . Top guard  220 B is configured to prevent access to the handle of the latching handle assembly. 
     The door guard  200  can additionally include the securing plate  190 , which is the same as described for door guard  100  in  FIG.  1 A , and said description is not reproduced here. 
     The first top guard  220 A can have a length in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1.535 inches. The first top guard  220 A can have a width in a range of from about 0.5 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 0.984 inch. The first top guard  220 A can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.5 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch. 
     The second top guard  220 B can have a length in a range of from about 0.5 to 4 inches; alternatively, from about 0.5 to 2 inches; alternatively, a length of about 1 inch (e.g., 0.984 inch). The second top guard  220 B can have a width in a range of from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.535 inch. The second top guard  220 B can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.5 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch. 
     The bottom guard  230  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the bottom guard  230  can be made of the same piece of material as the main plate  210  and bent or shaped into position. In  FIG.  2 A , the bottom guard  230  is a flat piece of metal that is connected or integrally formed with the bottom  211  of the main plate  210 . The bottom guard  230  can be generally rectangular in shape. The bottom guard  230  can be connected to the bottom  211  of the main plate  210 . The bottom guard  230  is configured to prevent or restrict access to the partition wall  250 , pin  170 , and lock  180  from below the door guard  200 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  2 A  the bottom guard  230  extends the entire length of the door guard  200 . 
     The bottom guard  230  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 20 inches; alternatively, from about 6 to about 7 inches; alternatively, a length of about 6.85 inches. The bottom guard  230  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a width of about 2.008 inches. The bottom guard  230  can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch. 
     The side wall  240  can be generally rectangular in shape. The side wall  240  can be connected to the main plate  210 . The side wall  240  can be connected to a side surface of the main plate  210  or can be connected to the surface  218  of the main plate  210 . In embodiments, the side wall  240  can be made of the same piece of material as main plate  210  and may be bent or shaped into position. The side wall  240  can be positioned to block access to the lock  180  from the side of the door guard  200 . 
     The side wall  240  can have a length in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inch; alternatively, a length of about 0.236 inch. The side wall  240  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.772 inches. The side wall  240  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 3 to about 4 inches; alternatively, a height of about 3.071 inches. 
     The partition wall  250  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  2 A , the partition wall  250  is a flat piece of metal. The partition wall  250  can have a side  251  connected to the main surface  218  of the main plate  210  and a bottom  252  that is connected to the bottom guard  230 . The opposite side  254  of the partition wall  250  is the side that is placed against a door of the storage container. The partition wall  250  can have a first opening  260 A and a second opening  260 B formed in an upper portion  253  thereof. The first opening  260 A is formed in the upper portion  253  of the partition wall  250  proximate to the side  251  of the partition wall  250  such that a space S 4  is formed between the upper portion  253  of the partition wall  250  and the main plate  210 . The partition wall  250  has a ridge  261  at the bottom of the opening  260 A. A handle of a latching assembly can pass downwardly through the space S 4  so as to rest on the ridge  261  formed on the partition wall  250 . The side  263  of the top  264  of the upper portion  253  of the partition wall  250  has a chamfer  262  formed thereon. The chamfer  262  faces the main surface  218  of the main plate  210 . The second opening  260 B can have any shape, for example, a shape that matches the cross-sectional shape (e.g., circle, square, triangle, other polygonal shape) of the pin  170 . The second opening  260 B is configured to receive the pin  170  of the door guard  200 . 
     The partition wall  250  can have a length in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inches; alternatively, a length of about 0.236 inches. The partition wall  250  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.772 inches. The partition wall  150  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 5 to about 6 inches; alternatively, a height of about 5.276 inches. 
     In embodiments, the partition wall  250  is configured to absorb shock and vibration to protect the integrity of the pin  170 . For example, in a scenario where a would-be thief attempts to break the door guard  200  by swinging a hammer against the door guard  200 , the partition wall  250  can absorb the shock of the hammer blows to the guard body  201  such that none of the blows are able to bend, break, or damage the pin  170 . 
     The pin  170  and lock  180  can be embodied as the pin  170  and the lock  180  of the door guard  100  in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B , and as such, said descriptions are not reproduced here. 
     The main plate  210 , the bottom guard  230 , the side wall  240 , and the partition wall  250  are configured and arranged such that an opening  282  is formed for access to the locking mechanism  181  of the lock  180 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the locking mechanism  181  faces downward toward the bottom guard  230  that is formed by the arrangement of the main plate  210 , the bottom guard  230 , the side wall  240 , and the partition wall  250  of the door guard  200 . The lock  180  can be connected to the main plate  210  and to the side wall  240  such that the locking mechanism  181  is not blocked by the bottom guard  230 ; and the main plate  210 , the bottom guard  230 , the partition wall  250 , and the lock  180  are arranged to hinder access to a space S 5  in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  can be received when locking the pin  170  in the lock  180 , and in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  is inserted into the latch of the latching handle assembly when the door guard  200  is placed on the latching handle assembly. The lock  180  can also have an opening (e.g., opening  183  in  FIG.  1 A ) formed on a side thereof that is configured to receive the end (e.g., end  173  in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 C ) of the pin  170 . The lock  180  can be configured such that the opening  183  faces towards the partition wall  250  of the door guard  200 . In  FIG.  2 A , it can be seen that access to the locking mechanism  181  of the lock  180  is below the first section  216  on side  214  of the main plate  210 , such that a user inserts a key through the opening  282  and upward through the space S 6  into the locking mechanism  181  of the lock  180 . 
     The dimensions of the opening  282  (e.g., a height in a range of from about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a height of about 2.165 inches; and a width that matches the width of the bottom guard  230 ) are configured such that bolt cutters or other lock cutting tools do not fit through the opening  282  and into the space S 5  that contains the pin  170 . 
     The main plate  210 , the first top guard  220 A, the side wall  240 , the partition wall  250 , and the lock  180  are configured and arranged to form a space S 7 . The space S 7  formed by the arrangement is configured to receive the handle, the latch, or both the handle and the latch of the latching handle assembly of the door that is to be guarded by the door guard  200 . In the embodiment of the door guard  200  depicted in  FIG.  2 A , the first top guard  220 A is configured to protect the lock  180  and the latch of a latching handle assembly that is received in space S 7 . The second top guard  220 B can be configured to cover another portion of the handle of the latching handle assembly. The second top guard  220 A is configured to extend over the handle to prevent the handle from being lifted vertically while the door guard  200  is positioned over and coupled with the latching handle assembly. 
     The door guard  200  in  FIG.  2 A  uses a pin  170  to insert through the latch of the latching handle assembly of a container door instead of a padlock. Moreover, the door guard  200  uses the main plate  210 , partition wall  250 , bottom guard  230 , and side wall  140  to surround and prevent access to the lock  180 , except for the opening  282  that is formed by the arrangement of the main plate  210 , the partition wall  250 , the bottom guard  230 , and the side wall  240  for access to the locking mechanism  181  of the lock  180 . By integrating a securing mechanism for the latching handle assembly (e.g., the pin  170 ) into the door guard  200  itself and using portions of the door guard  200  to block access to the pin  170 , the disclosed door guard  100  removes access to the traditionally used padlock (because no padlock is used) and blocks access to the pin  170  in space S 5  in all directions except for the direction that the user accesses the locking mechanism  181 . 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  depict a perspective view of a door guard  300  and a perspective view of the lock  380 , respectively. The door guard  300  has a guard body  301 , the partition wall  150  of  FIG.  1 A , the pin  170  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , and the lock  380 . 
     The guard body  301  can include the main plate  110  of  FIG.  1 A , the top guard  120  of  FIG.  1 A , a bottom guard  330 , and a side wall  340   
     The main plate  110  is described for the door guard  100  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1     s  further illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , and said descriptions are not reproduced here. 
     The top guard  120  is described for the door guard  100  of  FIG.  1 A , and said description is not reproduced here. The embodiment of the door guard  300  illustrated can include the securing plate  190  illustrated and described for  FIG.  1 A . 
     The bottom guard  330  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. In  FIG.  3 A , the bottom guard  330  is a flat piece of metal. The bottom guard  330  can be made of the same piece of material as the main plate  110  and bent or shaped into position. The bottom guard  330  can be generally rectangular in shape. The bottom guard  330  can be connected to the second section  112  of the main plate  110 . The bottom guard  330  can be connected to a bottom surface of the second section  112  of the main plate  110  or can be connected to the surface  313  of the main plate  110  on the second section  112 . In embodiments, the bottom guard  330  can extend perpendicular with respect to the from main plate  110  and parallel to the top guard  120 . The bottom guard  330  can be positioned to restrict access to the first portion  171  of the pin  170  and the lock  380 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  3 A , the bottom guard  330  extends between the side wall  340  and the partition wall  150 . Other embodiments of the door guard  300  depicted in  FIG.  3 A  can have additional bottom guard(s) on the first section  111  of the main plate  110  to restrict some access to the second portion  172  of the pin  170 . 
     The bottom guard  330  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a length of about 2.323 inches. The bottom guard  330  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 2 to about 3 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.772 inches. The bottom guard  330  can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.236 inch. 
     The side wall  340  is generally a piece of shaped metal or impact resistant polymer that is flat, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. The side wall  340  can be made of the same piece of material as main plate  110  and can be bent or shaped into position. The side wall  340  can be generally rectangular in shape. The side wall  340  can be connected to the second section  112  of the main plate  110 . The side wall  340  can be connected to a side surface of the second section  112  of the main plate  110  or can be connected to the surface  313  of the main plate  110 . 
     The side wall  340  can have a length in a range of about 0.1 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.2 to about 0.3 inches; alternatively, a length of about 0.236 inches. The side wall  340  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.535 inches. The side wall  340  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 8 inches; alternatively, from about 3 to about 4 inches; alternatively, a height of 3.189 inches. 
     The side wall  340  has an opening  345  formed therein. The opening  345  can be positioned closer to the side of the side wall  340  that is connected to the second section  112  of the main plate  110 . The opening  345  can have a width in a range of about 0.5 to about 4.5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.141 inches. The opening  345  can have a height in a range of about 0.25 to about 7.5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a height of about 1.614 inches. The length of the opening is the same as the length of the side wall  340 , since it is an opening in the side wall  340 . 
     The partition wall  150  is described for the door guard  100  in  FIG.  1 A , and said description is not reproduced here. 
     The pin  170  is described for the door guard  100  in  FIG.  1 A , and further illustrated in  FIG.  1 C , and said descriptions are not reproduced here. 
     The lock  380  is configured to accept an end  173  of the pin  170  having the notch  175  formed therein. The lock  380  can be attached to the main plate  110  and to the side wall  340 . Nonlimiting examples of the lock  380  can include a rotating cam lock, a rim cylinder lock, a Mortise cylinder lock, a wall mounted lock, a bolt style lock, a disk lock, a push lock, or combinations thereof. The lock  380  may have a locking mechanism  381  contained therein that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position so as to lock and unlock the lock  380  when the end  173  of the pin  170  having the notch  175  is received in the lock  380 . The locking mechanism  381  is illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  on the side of the lock  380 . Other portions of the locking mechanism  381  (e.g., internal parts that engage the notch  175  of the pin  170 ) can be contained within the lock  380 , are known in the art with the aid of this disclosure, and are not illustrated for clarity. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  the lock  380  can be connected to side wall  340  such that the locking mechanism  381  is accessible through the opening  345  in the side wall  340 . Similar to the opening  183  of the lock  180  in  FIG.  1 A , the lock  380  in  FIG.  3 A  can have an opening that is configured to receive the end  173  of the pin  170  having the notch  175 . The lock  380  can be configured such that the opening for the pin  170  faces towards the partition wall  150  of the door guard  300 . 
     Alternative embodiments of the door guard  300  can include a second top guard, for example, positioned similarly to the top guard  220 A of the door guard  200  in  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrates an isolated perspective view of the lock  380  in  FIG.  3 A . 
     The lock  380  can have a base unit  385  and a side panel  382 , a top panel  383 , and a bottom panel  384  connected to the base unit  385 . 
     The base unit  385  of the lock  380  can have length in a range of about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 0.5 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a length of about 0.708 inch. The base unit  385  of the lock  380  can have a width in a range of about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.654 inches. The base unit  385  of the lock  380  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a height of about 1.614 inches. The base unit  385  can have a hollow interior configured to house internal parts of the locking mechanism  381 . 
     The side panel  382  is connected to a side of the base unit  385 . The side panel  382  can run the entire height of the base unit  385  of the lock  380 . The side panel  382  can have a length in a range of about 0.5 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a length of about 0.0.591 inch. The side panel  382  can have a width in a range of about 0.1 to about 0.2 inch; alternatively, a width of about 0.118 inch. The side panel  382  can have a height in a range of about 0.5 to about 5 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a height of about 1.614 inches. The side panel  382  can be attached to the main plate  110  and can extend past the main portion of lock  380  to help absorb any shock or force directed by outside forces at the lock  380 . The side panel  382  can also help stabilize the lock  380 . 
     The top panel  383  is connected to a top  386  of the base unit  385  of the lock  380 . The top panel  383  can have a length in a range of about 0.2 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.4 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a length of 0.473 inch. The top panel  383  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 3 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.536 inches. The top panel  383  can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 0.5 inch; alternatively, from about 0.1 to about 0.2 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.157 inch. 
     The bottom panel  384  is connected to a bottom  387  of the base unit  385  of the lock  380 . The bottom panel  384  can have a length in a range of about 0.2 to about 1 inch; alternatively, from about 0.4 to about 1 inch; alternatively, a length of 0.473 inch. The bottom panel  384  can have a width in a range of about 1 to about 3 inches; alternatively, from about 1 to about 2 inches; alternatively, a width of about 1.536 inches. The bottom panel  384  can have a height in a range of about 0.1 to about 0.5 inch; alternatively, from about 0.1 to about 0.2 inch; alternatively, a height of about 0.157 inch. 
     The main plate  110 , the top guard  120 , the side wall  340 , the partition wall  150 , and the lock  380  are configured and arranged to form a space S 8 . The space S 8  formed by the arrangement is configured to receive the handle, the latch, or both the handle and the latch of the latching handle assembly of the door that is to be guarded by the door guard  300 . The top guard  120  can be configured to cover a portion of the handle of the latching handle assembly and configured to extend over the handle to prevent the handle from being lifted vertically while the door guard  300  is positioned over and coupled with the latching handle assembly. 
     The main plate  110 , the bottom guard  330 , the side wall  340 , and the partition wall  150  of the door guard  300  are configured and arranged such that there is no opening for access to the interior space S 9  of the door guard  300  in order to reach the pin  170 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , the locking mechanism  381  faces outward from the side of the door guard  300 , and the arrangement of the main plate  110 , the bottom guard  330 , the side wall  340 , the partition wall  150 , and the handle of the latching handle assembly that is received in space S 8  substantially enclose the space S 9  in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  can be received when locking the pin  170  in the lock  380 , and in which the portion  171  of the pin  170  is inserted into the latch of the latching handle assembly when the door guard  300  is placed on the latching handle assembly. Because the space S 9  is enclosed, access to the space S 9  for destruction of the pin  170  is hindered and can be prevented. 
     The door guard  300  in  FIG.  3 A  has the pin  170  extending through the handle and the latch (e.g., a hole in the handle and a hole in the locking plate of the latch) of the latching handle assembly of a container door instead of a padlock. Moreover, the door guard  300  uses the main plate  110 , partition wall  150 , bottom guard  330 , and side wall  340  to substantially enclose the pin  170  and prevent access to the pin  170 . No opening is formed between a bottom of the lock  380  and a top of the bottom guard  330 . Moreover, by integrating the securing mechanism (e.g., the pin  170 ) for the latching handle assembly into the door guard  300  itself and using portions of the door guard  300  to block access to the pin  170 , the disclosed door guard  300  removes access to the traditionally used padlock (because no padlock is used) and blocks access to the pin  170  from all sides and from the bottom of the door guard  300 . When used on a latching handle assembly, access to the pin  170  from above is blocked by the handle of the latching handle assembly that is received in space S 8  and the latch of the latching handle assembly that is received in space S 9 . In some embodiments, an additional top guard, such as the top guard  220 A described for door guard  200  in  FIG.  2 A , can block access to the pin  170  from the top of the door guard  300 . 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates a perspective view of a door guard system  400  according to the disclosure, and  FIG.  4 B  illustrates a side view of the door guard system  400  on a roll-up door  500 . 
     The door guard system  400  can include a door guard (e.g., door guard  100  of  FIG.  1 A ) and a latching handle assembly  410 . Door guard  100  is used in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  for exemplary purposes, and it is contemplated that any embodiment of door guard  100 / 200 / 300  (or other embodiment) can be used as part of a door guard system  400 . 
     The latching assembly  410  can comprise a handle  420  and a locking plate  430 . The latching handle assembly  410  also include, as illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , a hook  460  (e.g., also known as a J-hook). The locking plate  430  can be attached to the door (e.g., roll-up door  500  in  FIG.  4 B ) of the storage container (e.g., box truck), or can be part of a pivoting latch having another portion pivotally attached to the door as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,314. The end  421  of the handle  420  and the locking plate  430  have holes formed therein that align together when the handle  420  is in the closed or locked position. The pin  170  of the door guard  100  can be seen extending through the holes of the end  421  of the handle  420  and the locking plate  430  in  FIG.  4 A . As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the handle  420  can have an opposite end  422  that is pivotally attached to the door  500 , and which is attached to the hook  460 . 
     The door guard  100  can be secured around the end  421  of the handle  420  and the locking plate  430  of the latching handle assembly  410 . The end  421  of the handle  420  and the locking plate  430  of the latching handle assembly  410  are both located between the lock  180  and the partition wall  250  of the door guard  100 . As can be seen, the handle  420  is positioned between the partition wall  150  and the main plate  110  in space S 1  (e.g., space S 1  is labeled in  FIG.  1 A ). The top guard  120  can extend over the handle  420  to prevent the handle  420  from being pivoted while the door guard  100  is attached. As can be seen in  FIG.  4 A , the handle  420  extends between the main plate  110  and the securing plate  190  of the door guard  100 . 
     It can be seen that the locking plate  430  and end  421  of the handle  420  block access to the pin  170  from above the pin  170 ; and the main plate  110 , bottom guard  130 , side wall  140 , partition wall  150 , and door  500  (in  FIG.  4 B ) block access to the pin  170  from all sides and from below the door guard  100 . When the pin  170  is in the lock  180 , the handle  420  cannot be lifted even if the latch  450  were to be pivoted into the open position because the pin  170  extends through the holes of the end  421  of the handle  420  and the locking plate  430 . 
     In  FIG.  4 B , the hook  460  can rotate when the second end  422  of the handle  420  is pivoted between the closed or locked position and the open or unlocked position. In the closed position or locked position, the hook  460  can be closed down around a member to prevent the door  500  from being raised. When the handle  420  is pivoted into the open position or unlocked position, the hook  460  may pivot to allow the hook  460  past the member, allowing the door to be raised. 
     Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.