Object securing sleeve for padlock devices

• US 4,576,022 A
• Filed: 08/29/1984
• Issued: 03/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William E. Gamble
• Original Assignee: William E. Gamble
• Inventors: Gamble, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/645,179
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 70/55, 70/54, 70/56, 70/417, 70/63
• US Class Current: 70/55
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/38 Auxiliary or protective devices weather protection E05B17/002; armoured cases E05B67/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/496 Sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7921 Armoring

Abstract

A security device including a sleeve adapted to fit over the body portion of a padlock and provided with slots or apertures to permit closing or locking of the sleeve with the sleeve enveloping the padlock body. An internally accessible pocket is provided in one internal face of the sleeve to receive a key or other object to be secured. The presence of the padlock body in the sleeve prevents access to the pocket. A window may be provided in one of the sleeve walls to provide access to the padlock release mechanism such as a combination mechanism or keyhole.

Claims

1. An object-securing sleeve means for use with a host padlock of the type having a shank member and a body portion, said sleeve means comprising front, rear, top and bottom walls and being open at least at one end and so sized as to permit sliding thereof into close-fitting covering relation to said padlock body portion when said padlock is open, said sleeve means containing object-retaining means accessible from within said sleeve means when said sleeve means is free of said body portion for releasably holding within it an object to be held secure when said sleeve means is on said body portion and said padlock is closed, said sleeve means also having locking aperture means in said top wall for permitting passage therethrough of said shank member to permit locking of said padlock and simultaneous locking of said sleeve means to said body portion, said sleeve means being so configured that when in locked position on said body portion said object cannot be removed from said object-retaining means, and wherein said sleeve means comprises window means for permitting sufficient access to said body portion to permit unlocking it while said sleeve means is in place.

2. The sleeve means of claim 1, wherein said object retaining means is so arranged that said object is invisible from the exterior of said sleeve means when said sleeve means and said object are mounted on said body portion.

3. The sleeve means of claim 1, wherein said object-retaining means comprises a pocket in a wall of said sleeve means.

4. The sleeve means of claim 3, wherein said pocket is configured to hold one or more keys.

5. The sleeve means of claim 4, wherein said pocket is configured to receive a single key in close-fitting relation.

6. The sleeve means of claim 1, wherein said locking aperture means comprises a locking aperture for receiving and substantially surrounding the movable free-end portion of said shank member, and a slot for partially surrounding the root-end portion of said shank member when said sleeve means is in its installed position on said body portion and permitting said root-end portion of said shank member to slide in and out of said slot as said sleeve member is installed on or removed from said body portion.

7. The sleeve means of claim 2, wherein said pocket is formed in said rear wall.

8. The sleeve means of claim 1, wherein said locking aperture means comprises a pair of slots in said top wall, the open ends of said slots facing oppositely to each other and said slots being aligned along a common axis.