Patent ID: 12241493

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

As noted, often items are secured via a conventional screw. As used herein a conventional screw refers to a screw, bolt, or the like, which has a customary head. Conventional screws, for example, often had Phillips head or flat head to couple with Phillips or flat head screw drivers. It should be noted that while the term “screw” is used, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. Virtually any solid object which is used to connect to another object via threading or the like can be utilized. Thus, the system and method discussed herein also applies to bolts, screws, etc.

A problem with Phillips or flat head, or other such conventional heads, is that these heads are so conventional that almost everyone has a screwdriver to match the screw. Thus, if a panel, for example, is attached via screws with a Phillips head, anyone with a matching screwdriver can remove the screws and access the panel.

FIG.1is a top view of a cover100in one embodiment. A cover100can be used to cover, house, or secure any item or void. As depicted, the cover100comprises mount holes101through which a screw can be affixed to mount or secure the cover100. The cover100may further include a lock or other device.

In the embodiment depicted, the cover100is an electrical panel. The system and method will be described in reference to an electrical panel, but this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. The system and method can apply to any cover or device which is used to house or secure an item.

Electrical panels are placed in virtually any building or dwelling. When houses, commercial buildings, or apartments are being built, there are many electrical panels on the job site. With ever changing requirements and codes, the circuit breakers are becoming more and more expensive. Thieves can go to a job site for a new apartment building and there can be over one hundred panels and circuit breakers. The thieves can use conventional screwdrivers to remove the cover100of a panel and remove the circuit breakers which are secured behind the cover100. Even if the cover is locked, the panel can be opened and the circuit breakers stolen. These circuit breakers can cost between $50-60. Often there are ten of these circuit breakers in each panel. Accordingly, one panel has about $600 worth of circuit breakers. In some jobsites, there are 300 units with circuit breakers worth about $180,000. Accordingly, finding a job site with potentially over hundreds of circuit breakers can be a significant attraction for thieves.

Turning toFIG.2,FIG.2is a perspective view of a custom connector in one embodiment. A custom connector, as used herein, refers to a screw, bolt, or the like, which has an unconventional head. While some embodiments will describe a screw, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. A custom connector uses threading, or the like, to connect to an object or connect two or more objects. The connector can attach to an object which has threading, for example.

An unconventional head can refer to a head which is either not widely available or a specifically unique shape. A custom connector cannot be coupled via a conventional screwdriver or conventional screwdriver set.

As depicted, the custom connector103comprises a connector body104. A connector body104typically has threads which mate and couple with a housing which can receive and couple with the threads.

The custom connector103also has a connector head105. The connector head105typically has an outer diameter greater than the connector body104. The connector head105extends beyond the mount hole101and prevents the screw103from going beyond the cover100.

The custom connector103also comprises a custom void106. A void is a recess which can receive a head to allow a torque to be applied to the screw. Conventional screws had a conventional void107(FIG.4) which can make with conventional screwdrivers. The operator can then apply a torque upon the conventional screw110with the screwdriver via the conventional void107. A custom void106, as noted, is a void which does not mate with a conventional screwdriver or other conventional tools. In one embodiment, a Phillips head or flat head screwdriver, for example, will not couple or mate with the custom connector103. In one embodiment, a hex wrench will not couple or mate with the custom connector103. Put differently, in some embodiments, conventional tools cannot be used to rotate the custom connector103. The custom void106prevents conventional screwdrivers or other tools with conventional heads to couple with the custom connector103. Instead, the custom void106requires an unconventional head which can mate with the custom void106. The unconventional head can mate with the custom void106and torque the connector103, such as a screw.

The shape for the custom void106can vary. In one embodiment the shape is random such that conventional screwdrivers will not engage the shape of the head. In one embodiment the custom void106comprises a shape which is dissimilar from hex wrenches or other common coupling devices. In this manner, the user must have a tool which matches with the custom void106. In one embodiment the custom void106has a unique shape which is sufficiently distinct from hex wrenches, Phillips screwdrivers, or flat-head screw drivers such that these conventional tools will not sufficiently grip the head of the custom connector103to cause the connector103to rotate. As noted, in one embodiment, a user requires a specialized tool and cannot use a conventional off-the-shelf tool to couple with the custom void106. This prevents theft as the potential thief may have a conventional tool but will not have a tool which couples with the custom void106such that the custom connector103can be removed. By preventing the ability to remove the custom connector103, the contents or item which is secured via the custom connector103, is better protected.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a custom converter in one embodiment. The custom converter111is an unconventional tool which is not widely available. Rather, the custom converter111comprises a custom coupler108which mates with the shape of the custom void106.

The custom converter108can comprise any material including metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. The custom converter108in one embodiment comprises a material rigid enough to impart the required torque.

As depicted the custom converter108is coupled to an adapter109. An adapter109allows the custom converter111to be coupled to other conventional tools. Thus, the adapter109can have a female hex set, as an example. A mating conventional hex tool can mate with the female hex to couple the tool with the custom converter111. The adapter109can be made to couple with virtually any type of tools including wrenches, sockets, hex screws, screw drivers, drills, etc.

While one embodiment has been shown wherein an adapter109couples with a separate tool, in other embodiments the tool is integrally made with the custom converter111. In such embodiments a separate tool is not needed as it is already attached to the custom converter111.

As noted, a custom converter111is required to manipulate the custom connector103. Accordingly, if a panel or cover100is installed with custom connectors103, the panel cannot be removed with conventional tools. Rather, a custom converter111will be required to remove the custom screws103.

In this fashion, the electrical panels previously discussed can be installed with one or more custom connectors103, such as screws. As shown inFIG.1there are six mount holes101. The user can install one, two, or more custom connectors103in the cover100.

Sticking with the jobsite scenario, when the buildings are still being constructed, the user can install the panels with the custom connectors103. This is due, in part, to the accessibility of a building under construction. Often the building does not have locking doors, and anyone can go to the jobsite and have access to the internals of the yet-to-be completed building. If a thief goes to the electrical panel and tries to use a conventional screw to remove the cover100they will be unable to do so. Accordingly, the contents behind the cover100remain safe. Only those who have access to the rare and unconventional custom converter111have access to the panel.

However, when the building has been completed, the building now has a locking door, and the owner takes possession, there is less likelihood that the panels or its contents will be stolen. Accordingly, at that point, in one embodiment, the custom connectors103can be replaced with conventional screws110, as shown inFIG.4.FIG.4is a perspective view of a conventional screw in one embodiment.

Because a conventional screw110has been used on the cover101, the owner, who likely only has access to conventional tools, has the tools necessary to open and remove the cover101.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the cover100is coupled with custom connectors103for a period when the cover100is vulnerable, such as during construction. However, when construction is complete, the custom connectors103are replaced with conventional connectors, such as screws. At that point the cover100is less vulnerable. Additionally, the end user is free to enjoy the versatility of conventional screws110which can be removed by owners with conventional tools. Thus, the method and system discussed herein provide an opportunity to secure items when vulnerable, but go back to a more conventional securement means when the vulnerability has ended.

Sticking with the electrical panel example, the user will employ one or more custom connectors103to install the cover100. First the user will obtain at least one or a plurality of custom connectors103having at least one head, and wherein the head has a custom void106. The user then obtains a custom converter which mates with the custom void. In some embodiments the custom converter is sold with the custom connectors103. The custom converter is then rotated to impart torque to the connector103. Once attached, the custom connectors103secure the item in place. After the construction is complete, the custom connectors103are removed and conventional screws110are used to replace the custom screws103. In other embodiments, however, the custom connectors103remain in place.

While an electrical panel has been described, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. The system and method discussed herein can be used to replace virtually any conventional connector, such as screws, to make it more secure and less prone to theft or manipulation. As but one further example, if a manufacturer of a grill, for example, does not want the end user to open a panel, the panel can be secured via custom connectors103. There are a host of reasons why the manufacturer may want to deny access to a specific panel. By utilizing custom connectors, end user is denied access to that specific panel. Accordingly, the panel is secured. The manufacturer may or may not provide the matching custom converter. In this way, the manufacturer prevents undesired access into a panel. The user would not be able to open the panel. If conventional screws were utilized, the user could simply use any conventional screwdriver to gain access. Thus, while one benefit is theft prevention, another benefit is controlling access.

In the grill embodiment, as an example, this provides a method for the manufacturer to monitor and verify if the panel has been opened. As an example, opening the panel can void the warranty. If the custom connectors are removed, or replaced, this serves as proof that the user voided the warranty by opening the panel.

On another spin of the grill example, consider a thermostat in a public building. Often these are locked. However, if they are locked with conventional screws, for example, anyone with a screwdriver can simply remove the screw and adjust the thermostat. If a custom connector is utilized, only those with the corresponding custom converter can open the thermostat. Accordingly, the custom connectors can be utilized to prevent unauthorized access.

As another example, consider a shed with a pad lock. While the pad lock might be difficult to break, the pad lock is secured via a hinge. Or, the shed doors are connected via hinges. If either of these hinges comprise conventional screws, a potential thief can simply remove either hinge and bypass the pad lock without requiring breaking of the pad lock. If, however, the hinges use custom connectors, the hinges cannot be used except by a person who has a custom converter. Thus, the potential thief is deterred.

The custom connectors103can be custom to a job, a house, a jobsite, or a company. For example, an electrician can have a custom converter111and a plurality of matching custom connectors103. Every time the electrician installs a new panel, the electrician uses the same custom connectors103. Only that electrician can remove the custom connectors103and replace them with conventional screws. The electrician can use and reuse the same custom connectors103and corresponding custom converter111for several years. Because the custom connectors103, in some embodiments, are removed at job completion, the electrician can continue to use the custom connectors103for many subsequent jobs. If connectors103become lost or stripped, the electrician can reorder custom connectors103which fit the existing custom converter111.

Thus, in one embodiment, the installer keeps the custom connector103. In other embodiments, however, the end user keeps the custom connectors103. As an example, rather than the electrician keeping the custom connectors103, the homeowner keeps the custom connectors103. The homeowner can decide if they want to replace the custom connectors103with conventional screws or not.

In still another embodiment the custom connectors103are sold with the cover100, panel, or other item to be protected from theft or unauthorized access. As an example, in the embodiment depicted inFIG.1, when a user, either homeowner or electrician, purchases the electrical panel, the panel comes with a set of custom connectors103for construction as well a matching custom converter. The panel can also come with a set of conventional screws110for post construction.

While an embodiment has described using electrical panels, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. The system and method discussed herein can be used to secure virtually any item. As an example, televisions and outdoor furniture are often stored outside where they are easily stolen. They can be secured with the custom connectors103described herein. As noted, the custom connectors103have application in grills, thermostats, cabinets, and any other area where the user desires to deter theft or deter and limit access.

Additionally, items which are shipped can be shipped with the custom connectors103so as to prevent disassembling of the item. However, upon delivery, the final owner can convert to conventional screws110.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.