Abstract:
Padlockable security collars are disclosed that each include a chain of elongate, in-series, hinge-connected components that are configured to cooperatively wrap and perimetrically shroud relatively movable elements of so-called “connection assemblies” and the like that have relatively movable members which need to be shrouded and protectively enclosed to prevent unauthorized operation. Holes that can be aligned to permit a shackle of a padlock to extend therethrough are formed through opposite end regions of each security collar&#39;s chain of components so the security collar can be locked in place once a compartment-defining component receives, shrouds and protectively encloses the relatively movable members that need to be prevented from being moved or operated while the security collar is locked in place.

Description:
REFERENCE TO TWO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of each of the following TWO provisional applications, namely: 
         [0002]    1) Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/283,696 (Atty&#39;s Dkt. No. 7-085) filed Sep. 8, 2015 by Franklin B. White, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference; and, 
         [0003]    2) Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/387,969 (Atty&#39;s Dkt. No. 7-087) filed Jan. 12, 2016 by Franklin B. White, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     REFERENCE TO TWO RELATED NON-PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS 
       [0004]    This application is also a continuation-in-part of each of two presently pending design applications, namely: 
         [0005]    1) Design application Ser. No. 29/505,301 (Atty&#39;s Dkt. No. 7-086) filed Sep. 8, 2015 by Franklin B. White, the disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference; and 
         [0006]    2) Design application Ser. No. 29/505,712 (Atty&#39;s Dkt. No. 7-088) filed Jan. 12, 2016 by Franklin B. White, the disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to padlockable security collars designed to perimetrically wrap, shroud and protectively enclose various types of sensitive assemblies that have relatively movable members that need to be shrouded and prevented from being moved or operated for relatively lengthy periods of time. 
         [0008]    So-called “connection assemblies” constitute examples of such sensitive assemblies having a compact set of relatively movable members that need to be shrouded, protectively enclosed and prevented from being operated once the relatively movable members have been set so the sensitive assembly can perform its intended function. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0009]    Many types of sensitive assemblies have compact sets of relatively movable members that need to be prevented from being moved or operated for lengthy periods of time, once the relatively movable members have been carefully set. So-called connection assemblies constitute one example of these sensitive assemblies. 
         [0010]    Some of these so-called “connection assemblies” are commercially available. Others are formed from such components as may be readily at hand. The connection assemblies serve not only to reliably couple costly units and devices to upstanding supports and masts, but also provide a compact arrangement of relatively movable elements that can be operated quickly and easily to attach and detach costly units and devices from upstanding supports and masts. 
         [0011]    One well known and widely used commercially available connection assembly is known as a “Tri-Bracket connection assembly” which is depicted in  FIG. 8  of the present document, where the Tri-Bracket assembly is indicated by the letter “C.” The Tri-Bracket assembly is also shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  of utility application Ser. No. 14/544,686 which was published on Aug. 27, 2015 as publication number 2016/0240988. The disclosures of the Tri-Bracket assembly found in the aforementioned application and publication are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0012]    Not all “connection assemblies” are commercially available units—for many are constructed from materials that can be found at hand—an example being a clamping-type of connection assembly that is indicated by the numeral  700  in  FIGS. 22, 23 and 26  of the present document. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention relates to padlockable security collars that each consist of a chain of hinge-connected, generally elongate components arranged end to end in a series that can be installed to perimetrically surround a sensitive assembly, with one of the elongate components defining a compartment that opens and faces toward the sensitive assembly to receive, shroud and protectively enclose relatively movable members of the sensitive assembly to prevent the movable members from being moved or operated. 
         [0014]    When a security collar is installed to shroud and protectively enclose relatively movable members of a particular sensitive assembly, the components of the security collar are said to be in a closed position when they perimetrically surround the sensitive assembly. When the components of the security collar are moved to an open position, the security collar can be removed from perimetrically surrounding the sensitive assembly. 
         [0015]    When a security collar embodying features of the present invention is installed so that its chain of components surrounds a sensitive assembly, AND when the one component of the security collar that defines a compartment is positioned to receive the relatively movable members that need to be shrouded and protectively enclosed to prevent being moved or operated, holes that are formed through components that define opposite end regions of the chain of components can be aligned to receive a shackle of a padlock so the security collar can be locked in place in its installed position. 
         [0016]    In preferred practice, the particular component of a security collar&#39;s chain of components that defines the compartment is one of the two components that defines opposite end regions of the chain of components. 
         [0017]    However, in preferred practice, if the security collar is formed by a total of three elongate components, then the particular component that defines the compartment is a component that extends between the two components that define opposite end regions of the chain of elongate components. 
         [0018]    In preferred practice each chain of elongate components that defines a security collar has at least one arcuately curved component that bulges away from an interior region that is surrounded by the security collar when the components are in the closed position perimetrically surrounding the interior region. 
         [0019]    In preferred practice, the arcuately curved component referred to just above is one of the two components that define opposite end regions of a security collar that includes the arcuately curved component. 
         [0020]    In preferred practice, the arcuately curved component defines an arcuate curve that is a segment of an imaginary circle that has a length at least as long as one fourth of the circumference of the imaginary circle. 
         [0021]    In preferred practice, if a security collar includes more than two elongate components, then the components that define opposite end regions of the security collar each include an arcuate curve that bulges away from an interior region that is surrounded by the security collar when in the closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and claims that follow, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a double-hinged embodiment of a padlockable security collar that incorporates features of the present invention, with the hinge-connected components of the security collar pivoted to a closed position that causes opposite end formations of the security collar to extend in overlying relationship, with holes defined by the end formations aligned; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a front view thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a right side view thereof, it being understood that a left side view is identical hereto but a mirror image reversal hereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top view thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is an inverted perspective view of the double-hinged embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with at least one of the hinge-connected components of the collar pivoted to an open position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the double-hinged security collar of  FIGS. 1-7  in an open position being installed to surround and to partially overlie an assembly that needs to be shrouded and prevented from being accessed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view showing the installed double-hinged security collar positioned as is shown in  FIG. 8 , but with opposed elongate components of the security collar closed and padlocked in closed position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a single-hinged embodiment of a security collar that incorporates features of the present invention, with the view showing the two elongate hinge-connected components of the security collar pivoted to a closed position, it being understood that a bottom view thereof is identical thereto but a mirror image reversal thereof; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view as seen from a plane indicated by a line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view as seen from a plane indicated by a line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view as seen from a plane indicated by a line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view thereof as seen from a plane indicated by a line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view looking downwardly, as seen from a plane indicated by a line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 , it being understood that a view looking upwardly from the same plane is identical thereto but a mirror image thereof; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  is a right side elevational view thereof; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  is a left side elevational view thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view looking downwardly as seen from a plane indicated by a line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 20 , with the view also including a line  20 - 20  which indicates a plane from which a front elevational view of  FIG. 20  is seen; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  is a front elevational view with the hinged components of the security collar pivoted to an open position; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  is a rear elevational view of the security collar that corresponds to the rear elevational view of  FIG. 16  except that the security collar is provided with a padlock and a threaded fastener assembly that hold the two components of the security collar in a closed position, and except that other components surrounded by the security collar are shown in disassembly, with a portion of a costly GPS signal receiving and transmitting unit being fixed atop a housing that defines one of the depicted tubular components; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view looking upwardly as seen from a plane indicated by a line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21  showing the two hingedly connected components of the security collar protectively enclosing, surrounding, shrouding and limiting access to relatively movable parts of a clamping device that is provided to adjustably couple the clamping device to a tubular upstanding mast member that is shown in  FIG. 21 , except with a padlock removed; 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  is a side view of the assembled components shown in  FIG. 21  that have been inverted and turned about an axis of the upstanding tubular member shown in  FIG. 21 , but with the security collar removed from the clamping device; 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  is a side view substantially identical to  FIG. 23  but with the security collar installed to protectively enclose, surround, shroud and limit access to the clamping device; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  is a side view showing an assembly of selected ones of the components shown in  FIGS. 21-24 , except that the depicted components have been inverted and turned about a vertical axis shown in  FIGS. 21-24 ; and, 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view as seen from a plane indicated by a line  26 - 26  in  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    Features of one example of a double-hinged security collar  100  that embodies the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , with  FIGS. 8 and 9  showing how the security collar  100  can be installed to perimetrically surround, shroud and protectively enclose a portion of the Tri-Bracket connection assembly mentioned previously, that is indicated by the letter “C” in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0050]    Features of another example of a security collar  300  that embodies the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 10-26 , with  FIGS. 22 and 26  serving to best show how the security collar  300  perimetrically surrounds, shrouds and protectively encloses a connection assembly indicated by the numeral  700 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the double-hinged security collar  100  includes first, second and third elongate components  110 ,  120 ,  130 , respectively, as well as first and second hinges  140 ,  150 , respectively. 
         [0052]    The first component  110  and the second component  120  are located adjacent each other, and are pivotally connected by the first hinge  140 . The second component  120  and the third component  130  are located adjacent each other, and are pivotally connected by the second hinge  150 . 
         [0053]    The second component  120  takes substantially the same form as a so-called “cover  180 ” that is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  of the aforementioned utility application Ser. No. 14/544,686, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The second component  120  defines an inwardly-facing compartment  129  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) that protectively encloses relatively movable members (not shown in the drawings hereof, but disclosed in detail in the utility application referenced just above). 
         [0054]    When the components  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the security collar  100  are in a closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , the arcuate first and third components  110 ,  130  can be said to face radially inwardly toward an imaginary central axis  95  that is shown in several of the drawing views. When the security collar  100  is installed on a columnar structure (not shown), the columnar structure will extend along the imaginary central axis  95 . 
         [0055]    Looked at in a slightly different way, the first and third components  110 ,  130  can be seen to “bulge away from” the interior region that is perimetrically surrounded by the components  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the security collar  100 . 
         [0056]    The components  110 ,  120 ,  130  all extend in a common plane that is indicated generally by a line  105  in  FIG. 3 ; and, the axes of hinges  140 ,  150  all extend perpendicular to the plane  105 —which is true regardless of whether the security collar  100  is in an open position such as is shown by  FIGS. 7 and 8 , or in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 9 . 
         [0057]    Opposite end regions of the first and third components  110 ,  130  carry end formations  170 ,  180 , respectively. The end formations  170 ,  180  extend in overlying side-by-side engagement when the first and third components  110 ,  130  are in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 9 . 
         [0058]    When the first and third components  110 ,  130  are pivoted to an open position such as is shown in  FIGS. 7  and  8 , the first and third components  110 ,  130  are both ordinarily pivot about pivot axes that are defined by the first and second hinges  140 ,  150 , respectively—which is to say that the first and third components  110 ,  130  both ordinarily pivot relative to the second component  120 , in the manner shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0059]    When the first, second and third components  110 ,  120 ,  130  are in the open position shown in  FIG. 7 , the resulting openness of the security collar  100  permits the security collar  100  to be wrapped around the Tri-Bracket connection assembly indicated by the letter “C” in  FIGS. 8 and 9 —with  FIG. 9  showing how the security collar  100  can close around the Tri-Bracket connection assembly “C,” and can then be secured by a padlock  400  that has its shackle inserted through holes  215 ,  235  that can best be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . 
         [0060]    When the Tri-Bracket connection assembly “C” is perimetrically surrounded by the security collar  100  as is shown in  FIG. 9 , portions of the second component  120  define the inwardly-facing compartment that is indicated by the numeral  129  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The compartment  129  is overlaid and partly defined by the inwardly extending member  119  that defines two holes  220  that can receive upstanding formations  221  of the Tri-Bracket assembly “C,” as is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0061]    As can best be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the end formations  170 ,  180  have short legs  171 ,  181  that extend alongside end regions of the first and third components  110 ,  130 , respectively, and are welded or otherwise bonded thereto. 
         [0062]    The hinges  140 ,  150  permit the first and third components  110 ,  130  to pivot relative to the second component  120  between the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , and various open positions such as the open position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . When the security collar  100  has its components  110 ,  120 ,  130  in a closed position such as is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 9 , the security collar  100  can be padlocked in place by extending a shackle of the padlock  400  through one of the pairs of aligned holes  215 ,  235  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Also, or alternatively, threaded fasteners can be extended through one or more of the pairs of aligned holes  215 ,  235  as also is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first hinge  140  has pivotally connected legs  141 ,  142  that are connected by being welded or otherwise bonded to the first and second components  110 ,  120 , respectively. Likewise, the second hinge  150  has pivotally connected legs  151 ,  152  that are connected by being welded or otherwise bonded to the third and second components  130 ,  120 , respectively. 
         [0064]    The first and third components  110 ,  130  are of arcuate configuration, and are substantially identically configured. The second component (which extends between and connects the first and third components  110 ,  130 ) has a substantially flat central portion  121  at the rear of the inwardly-facing compartment  129  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0065]    In the paragraphs that follow, the term “radially inwardly” means facing inwardly toward the imaginary central axis  95 , and the term “radially outwardly” means facing outwardly away from the imaginary central axis  95 . 
         [0066]    Optional features of the security collar  100  are best shown in  FIG. 7 , that include: 
         [0067]    1) One of the optional features is to provide one or more radially inwardly extending formations—such as the previously described member  119  that defines the two holes  220  that are shown in  FIG. 8  receiving two upwardly extending formations  221  of the Tri-Bracket connection assembly “C.” 
         [0068]    2) One or more radially outwardly extending formations that can be connected to, or formed as an integral part of, one or more of the hinge-connected components  110 ,  120 ,  130 —namely such formations as are indicated in many of the accompanying drawing views by the numeral  229  that can connect with one or more supports (not shown) located externally of a columnar structure onto which the security collar  100  is installed. Such support connected formation(s)  229  can provide additional support for a columnar structure onto which the security collar  100  is installed. 
         [0069]    3) One or more additional formations that can be connected to, or formed as an integral part of, one or more of the hinge-connected components  110 ,  120 ,  130 —namely such formations as are indicated in  FIG. 7  by the numeral  240  that can form opposite sides of the compartment  129  described previously. 
         [0070]    Continuing in the spirit of the invention disclosed herein, more complexly configured security collar embodiments (not shown in the drawings hereof) can include three or more hinges that connect four or more components—with all of such embodiments conforming to the guideline that the total number of hinges (or pivotal connections) is one less, in number, than the total number of components that are connected by the hinges (or pivotal connections). 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 10, 15 and 20 , the single-hinged security collar  300  includes two elongate components  310  and  320  that are pivotally connected by a single hinge  330 . The components  310 ,  320  extend in a common plane indicated by a line  305  in  FIG. 17 ; and, the axis of the hinge  330  extends perpendicular to the plane  305 . 
         [0072]    A closed position of the hinge-connected components  310 ,  320  is best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 15 . One of many possible open positions of the hinge-connected components  310 ,  320  is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
         [0073]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 15 , the elongate first component  310  has an arcuately curved portion that is a segment of a circle which extends about the central axis  295  when the components  310 ,  320  of the security collar  300  are in the closed position. As can best be seen in  FIG. 15 , the elongate second component  320  has an L-shaped portion  360  that defines connecting interior portions  363 ,  364 . Outer walls  373 ,  374  surround the interior portions  363 ,  364 . 
         [0074]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 22 and 26 , when the security collar  300  can wrap perimetrically around a connection assembly  700  that has relatively movable members  712  and  714  that can be ratcheted to tighten or loosen the grip of a C-shaped clamping member  706 ,  707  that has opposite end regions  708  that move toward or away from each other, depending on whether the ratchet components  712 ,  714  tighten or loosen the grip of the clamping component portions  708  on an upstanding cylindrical member indicated in  FIGS. 21 and 26  by the numeral  1302  of an upstanding structure  1300 . 
         [0075]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 10, 15, 22 and 26 , opposite end regions of the first and second components  310 ,  320  carry end formations  312 ,  322 , respectively. The end formations  312 ,  322  extend in overlying side-by-side engagement when the first and second components  310 ,  320  are in the closed position that is best shown in  FIGS. 10, 15, 22 and 26 . 
         [0076]    When the first and second components  310 ,  320  pivot to an open position such as is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the first and second components  310 ,  320  pivot about the pivot axis that is defined by the hinge  330 . 
         [0077]    When the first and second components  310 ,  320  open as is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , this openness of the security collar  300  permits the security collar  300  to be wrapped around the aforementioned columnar structure  1300  to encircle a slightly reduced diameter upper end region  1302  of the upstanding support structure  1300  that is shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0078]    The interior, inwardly-facing compartment portions  363 ,  364  are nicely suited to closely receive, shroud, protectively enclose, and limit access to the relatively movable components of the connection assembly  700 . 
         [0079]    The hinge  330  permits the first and second components  310 ,  320  to pivot relative to each other between the closed position (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14-18 ) and various open positions (such as is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ). 
         [0080]    When the security collar  300  has its chain of hinge-connected components  310 ,  320  in the open position (such as is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ), the components  310 ,  320  of the security collar  300  can be removed from, or can be wrapped perimetrically around (and thereby installed onto) a selected region or zone of a columnar structure (in the manner that is best shown in  FIGS. 22 and 26 ). When the security collar  300  has its components  310 ,  320  in a closed position (such as is best shown in  FIGS. 10, 15, 22 and 26 ) the security collar  300  can be padlocked in place on the slightly reduced diameter portion  1302  of the columnar structure  1300  (in the manner shown in  FIG. 21 ) by extending one or more shackles  410  of one or more padlocks  400  through the pairs of aligned holes  372 ,  382  (best shown in  FIGS. 14-16 and 21 ) that are provided through the end formations  312 ,  322  (best shown in  FIGS. 15, 22, 25 and 26 ). 
         [0081]    Threaded fasteners (one being indicated by the numeral  452  in  FIG. 21 ) secured by nuts (one being indicated by the numeral  454  in  FIG. 21 ) can also be extended through one or more of the pairs of aligned holes  372 ,  382  to assist in holding the components  310 ,  320  in closed position—and, more pairs of the aligned holes  372 ,  382  can be provided, if desired. 
         [0082]    The hinge  330  has pivotally connected legs  331 ,  332  that are connected by being welded or otherwise bonded to the first and second components  310 ,  320 , respectively. 
         [0083]    As is best shown in  FIGS. 10, 15, 19, 22 and 26 , the first component  310  is of arcuate, generally semicircular configuration that extends for approximately one-hundred-eighty degrees from a first end region  311  to a second end region  342 ; and, the second component  320  can be seen to be dominated by the generally L-shaped structure  360  that has the relatively longer leg  373 , and the relatively shorter leg  374 . Both of the legs  373 ,  374  have generally U-shaped cross-sections that define portions  363 ,  364  by the numerals  363 ,  364 , respectively, and are shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , respectively. 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 21, 23 and 24  hereof, the numeral  1300  designates a typical component of an upstanding mast—which can represent an uppermost component of such masts as are shown in  FIG. 1  of the Taylor et al U.S. Pat. No. 8,478,492 that is incorporated herein by reference. Also shown in  FIGS. 21, 23 and 24  hereof is a bottom portion  600  of a GPS unit which can represent one of the two costly prior art GPS signal units shown in  FIG. 1  of the above-identified Taylor et al patent that is carried atop masts that extend upwardly from opposite end regions of a blade mounted on a bulldozer shown in  FIG. 1  of the Taylor et al patent. 
         [0085]    In  FIG. 21  hereof, the mast component  1300  is shown having an upper end region  1302  which has a reduced diameter  1303  that is concentric about the upwardly extending central axis  295  of the mast component  1300 . The reduced diameter upper end region  1302  of the mast component  1300  can extend snugly upwardly into a lower end region of a bracket  1310 , as is best shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . The adjustable coupler assembly  700  shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 ) can be operated to selectively permit and prevent the bracket  1310  to be turned about the central axis  295  that extends centrally through the upwardly extending mast component  1300 . 
         [0086]    In the environmental example that is the subject of  FIGS. 21-26 , the adjustable coupler assembly  700  is used just as adjustable coupler assemblies are commonly used in other prior art applications, to selectively permit and prevent relative movement of two relatively movable components—in this case, the upstanding mast component  1300 , and the bracket  1310 . 
         [0087]    As those who are skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the adjustable coupler assembly  700  can be formed as an assembly that is entirely separate and apart from both of the relatively movable members  1300 ,  1310 . In an alternative, the adjustable coupler assembly  700  can be hung from or otherwise attached to a selected one of the relatively movable members  1300 ,  1310 , and can serve to grip the other of the relatively movable members  1300 ,  1310  in a manner that selectively permits and prevents the members  1300 ,  1310  to move relatively to each other. In this example, the adjustable coupler assembly  700  happens to have one component that is rigidly connected to the bracket  1310  by being formed integrally therewith, as will be explained shortly. 
         [0088]    Nothing about the adjustable coupler assembly  700  is new—rather, adjustable coupler assemblies (such as the one indicated generally by the numeral  700  in  FIGS. 22, 23 and 26 ) are commonly used in many applications in industry where one relatively movable member (such as the bracket  1310 ) needs to be securely but adjustably connected to another relatively movable member (such as the upwardly extending mast component  1300 ). 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIGS. 22, 23 and 26 , the adjustable coupler assembly  700  includes a beefy, nearly annular, U-shaped clamping component  707  that has a nearly circular rear region  706  (best shown in  FIG. 23 ) that is fronted by a pair of spaced, forwardly-extending regions  708  that can be moved toward and away from each other to tighten or loosen the grip of the nearly circular rear region  706  on the reduced diameter portion  1302  of the upstanding mast  1300  (that is best shown in  FIG. 21 —it being understood that the reduced diameter portion  1302  extends upwardly through the circular clamping rear portion  706  of the U-shaped clamping component  707  when the components of  FIG. 21  are assembled as shown in  FIG. 23 , whereafter the clamping component  707  is tightened about the reduced diameter portion  1302 , and the security collar  300  is then installed and padlocked in place (as is shown in  FIG. 21  to prohibit unauthorized access to the clamping component  707 . 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 22, 23 and 26 , the U-shaped clamping component  707  includes the pair of spaced formations  708  that can be moved selectively relatively toward or relatively away from each other by a threaded fastener assembly  714  that can be operated by a ratchet handle  712 . 
         [0091]    When the ratchet handle  712  is turned back and forth about an imaginary axis of the threaded fastener assembly  714  (in a conventional back and forth manner that a ratchet is typically operated) to cause the fastener assembly  714  to move the spaced formations  708  relatively away from each other, the grip of the clamping component  707  on the reduced diameter upper end region  1302  of the upstanding mast component  1300  is loosened. 
         [0092]    When the ratchet handle  712  is turned back and forth (in the conventional manner that a ratchet is operated) to cause the fastener assembly  714  to move the spaced formations  708  relatively toward each other, the grip of the clamping component  707  on the reduced diameter upper end region  1302  of the upstanding mast component  1300  is tightened to prevent the bracket  1310  from turning about the axis  295  relative to the mast component  1310 —and, to prevent the bracket  1310  from being loosened and removed from the mast component  1300 . 
         [0093]    Because the clamping member  707  of the adjustable coupler assembly  700  is used to selectively permit and prevent relative movement between the two relatively movable members  1300 ,  1310  from taking place, the adjustable coupler assembly  700  can be seen to be a clamping type of adjustable coupler assembly  700 —hence, the adjustable coupler assembly  700  is occasionally referred to herein as the clamping assembly  700 . 
         [0094]    As is shown in  FIGS. 21, 23 and 24 , cap screws  610  are used to securely attach the GPS unit  600  to the bracket  1310 . The bracket  1310  has four arms  1314  that extend radially outwardly with respect to a central axis  295  (shown in  FIGS. 21-26 ). Holes  1312  (shown only in  FIG. 26 ) are provided through the arms  1314  of the bracket  1310  so the cap screws  610  can extend through the holes  1312 , and can be tightened in place to securely couple the GPS unit  600  to the bracket  1310 . 
         [0095]    Once the bracket  1310  (with the GPS unit  600  attached thereto) has been installed on the reduced diameter upper end region  1302  of the mast component  1300 , the GPS unit  600  and the bracket  1310  can be turned (if this is needed to permit the GPS unit to properly communicate with other signalling units that may be located miles away from the GPS unit  600 ), whereafter the adjustable connector or clamping assembly  700  is tightened to rigidly secure the GPS unit  600  and the bracket  1310  to the mast component  1300 . The mast component  1310  can then be raised as may be needed to permit the GPS unit  600  to properly communicate with GPS signalling satellites situated above the Earth. 
         [0096]    A problem with the adjustable connector assembly  700  is that it has presented an attractive target to those who would steal the costly GPS unit  600  and sell it to others who will gladly put it to use on other construction equipment. The thieves covertly enter a construction site when a bulldozer or other equipment on which the GPS unit  600  is mounted is temporarily down for refueling or repair or maintenance. Thieves operate the ratchet handle  712  to loosen and remove the bracket  1310  from the mast component  1300  so the GPS unit  600  and attached bracket  1310  can be spirited away, often nearly under the noses of operators who may be taking a break for lunch. 
         [0097]    When the ratchet handle  712  is turned to the position shown in  FIGS. 22, 23 and 26 , the ratchet handle  712  is in a so-called storage orientation where it is releasably retained by the operation of the threaded fastener assembly  714 , so the ratchet handle  712  will not vibrate or rattle during operation of a bulldozer or other construction equipment on which the GPS unit  600  is carried. When in the storage position, the ratchet handle  712 , the threaded fastener assembly  714 , the spaced formations  708 , and all other regions of the clamping component  707  can be perimetrically surrounded and protectively enclosed by the security collar  300 , in a manner depicted in  FIGS. 21, 22 and 24-26 —and, a padlock  400  can be installed on the security collar  300  in the manner shown in  FIG. 21  to prevent removal of the security collar  300 . 
         [0098]    The installed presence of the padlocked security collar  300  shrouds, limits access to, and prevents loosening of the adjustable coupler or clamping assembly  700 —and thereby prevents theft of the costly GPS unit  600  because the bracket  1310  is prevented from being removed from the upstanding mast component  1300 . The padlocked security collar  300  prevents operation of, and loosening of the adjustable coupler or clamping assembly  700  which, in turn, prevents removal of the bracket  1310  and attached GPS unit  600  from the mast component  1300 . 
         [0099]    As has been explained, to prevent theft of a costly device such as the costly GPS unit  600 , the present invention provides the security collar  300  to protectively enclose, surround, shroud and limit access to the adjustable coupler or clamping assembly  700  so the coupler or clamping assembly  700  cannot be loosened thereby permitting the costly GPS unit  600  to be stolen together with the bracket  1310  to which the GPS unit is quite securely connected by the bolts  610 . By using the security collar  300  to prevent operation of the adjustable coupler  700 , disassembly of the relatively movable components  1300 ,  1310  is prevented—yet, when the security collar  300  is removed, the adjustable coupler or clamping assembly  700  can be loosened to permit movement of the bracket  1310  and the mast component  1300 . 
         [0100]    As is best shown in  FIGS. 10, 15 and 20 , the security collar  300  principally includes two elongate components  310 ,  320  that have adjacent end regions  311 ,  321 , respectively, that are pivotally connected by the hinge  330 . Opposite halves  331 ,  332  of the hinge  330  are pivotally connected by a non-removable hinge pin (of the hinge  330 ) that defines an imaginary axis about which the elongate components  310 ,  320  can pivot between the closed position best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 15 , and an open position such as is shown in  FIG. 20 . When the security collar  300  is in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 10  and  15 , the adjacent end regions  312 ,  322  of the elongate components  310 ,  320 , respectively, extend in side-by-side engagement in a direction leading generally away from the location of the hinge  330 . 
         [0101]    The elongate component  310  of the security collar  300  includes a generally C-shaped portion  340  that has a substantially uniform radius “R” about the central axis  295  that is shown in  FIGS. 10, 15 and 22  by a dot (inasmuch as the central axis  295  is shown end-on in these views of the drawings). One end region  311  of the C-shaped portion  340  is connected to the hinge component  331 . An opposite end region of the C-shaped portion  340  is indicated by the numeral  342 . 
         [0102]    The uniform curvature of the C-shaped portion  340  extends substantially the full distance between the end regions  311  and  342  of the C-shaped portion  340 . The uniform curvature of the C-shaped portion  340  defines substantially a one-hundred-eighty degree arc having a uniform radius “R” (shown in  FIGS. 10, 15, 22 and 26 ) that substantially equals the radius of curvature of the exterior surface of the curved rear portion  706  of the clamping component  707 . By this arrangement, when the security collar  300  is installed to protectively enclose the adjustable clamping assembly  700 , the tall, C-shaped portion  340  of the elongate component  310  resides quite closely alongside much of the exterior surface of the rear portion of the clamping component  707 , as is shown in  FIGS. 22 and 26 . 
         [0103]    The elongate arcuate component  310  also includes a generally L-shaped member  350  formed by the relatively long and short legs  352  and  354 . The short leg  352  includes the end region  312  through which are formed the holes  372  that are best seen in  FIGS. 15 and 19 . The slightly longer leg  354  curves slightly to match the exterior curved surface of the C-shaped portion  340  of the arcuate component  310 , and is welded or otherwise bonded to the exterior surface of the C-shaped portion  340  of the arcuate component  310 . 
         [0104]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 15 and 19 , the elongate end region  322  of the component  320  includes a bend  362  that brings the end region  322  into parallel alignment with the end region  352  of the component  310  when the security collar  300  is closed, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 19 . Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 19 , holes  382  are formed through the end region  322  to align with the holes  372  so that one or more shackles  410  ( FIG. 21 ) of one or more padlock  400  ( FIG. 21 ) can extend through the aligned holes  372 ,  382  to lock the security collar  300  in place when installed as shown in  FIGS. 21-22 and 24-26 . 
         [0105]      FIGS. 11, 12 and 17  show a common center plane  305  that cuts midheight through the entire security collar  100 . The entire top half of the security collar  300  is symmetrical relative to the entire bottom half of the security collar  300 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , top and bottom walls of the L-shaped compartment have internal portions  363 ,  364  that face inwardly toward the center axis  295  of the padlockable security collar  300 . 
         [0107]    Although the security collar  300  is not shown as being provided with a radially outwardly extending member such as the radially outwardly extending member  230  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-7 ), such a radially outwardly extending member  830  (shown by broken lines in  FIG. 15 ) can easily be added to the security collar  300  so the security collar  300  can serve to support such structure as is perimetrically surrounded by the security collar  300 . In  FIG. 15 , the radially outwardly extending member  830  depicted by broken lines is depicted as being substantially identical to the radially outwardly extending member  230  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0108]    Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.