Security system for cargo loading doors

• US 5,755,126 A
• Filed: 09/19/1997
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald F. Chalko Jr, Peter W. Mirabella, William P. Lanigan
• Original Assignee: Gerald F. Chalko Jr, Peter W. Mirabella, William P. Lanigan
• Inventors: Mirabella, Peter W., Chalko, Gerald F. Jr., Lanigan, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): JAYNE, DARNELL M
• Application Number:
  US08/934,087
• Time in Patent Office: 249 Days
• Field of Search: 70/257, 70/256, 70/278, 292/144, 292/96, 292/97, 292/201, 292/341.16, 292/DIG. 49
• US Class Current: 70/257
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0086 Toggle levers toggle fasteners E05C19/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/023 the bolt moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0607 the detent moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/12 for back doors of vans E05B83/04, E05B83/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A retrofitable or factory installable security system (50) for cargo loading doors is disclosed. The system (50) has: a remote transmitter (52) for transmitting a radio signal; a receiver (54) for receiving the radio signal from the remote transmitter (52); an electro-mechanical actuator (56) coupled to the receiver (54) for moving a latching device (66) between a locked position and an unlocked position; and the lock assembly (58) has a housing (64) for holding the electro-mechanical actuator (56), the latching device (66) is pivotably connected to the housing (64), and a linkage mechanism (68) coupling the electro-mechanical actuator (56) and the latching device (66). The latching device (66) can be moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

Claims

1. A security system for cargo loading doors, comprising:

a remote transmitter for transmitting a radio signal; and

a substantially portable and independently powered receiver for receiving the radio signal from the remote transmitter, comprising;

an electro-mechanical actuator comprising a solenoid coupled to the receiver which moves a latching device between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

a lock assembly including a substantially rectangular housing which contains the electro-mechanical actuator and is adapted for connection to an interior surface of a loading door, the latching device is moveably connected to the housing, and a linkage mechanism coupling the electro-mechanical actuator and the latching device, said linkage mechanism moves the latching device to and from the locked position and the unlocked position and is adapted to latch to a header of a container when the latching device is in the locked position and to unlatch from the header when the latching device is in the unlocked position to allow opening of the loading door,

the linkage mechanism defining a simulated rigid link when the latching device is in the locked position and the linkage mechanism includes an elongated distal section and an L-shaped proximal section, the distal section coupled to the latching device and a short leg of the L-shaped proximal section is couplable with the electro-mechanical actuator,

the elongated distal section and the L-shaped proximal section pivoting substantially upwardly and inwardly toward the narrow profile housing when the solenoid is in an extended condition defining the unlocked position and providing the simulated rigid link wherein the elongated distal section and a long leg of the L-shaped proximal section are substantially aligned when the solenoid is in a retracted condition defining the locked position, and

the linkage mechanism includes a stop tab to substantially align the elongated distal section and the long leg of the L-shaped proximal section beyond center to define the simulated rigid link.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the latching device is adapted to latch to a header of an ISO container, domestic container or semi-trailer, when the latching device is in the locked position and unlatched from the header when the latching device is in the unlocked position.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein the latching device is mounted at a predetermined angle and is adapted to be coupled with a complementarily configured block connected to a header of a container, to provide a self-engaging connection.

4. The security system of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped proximal section is pivotably connected to anchor members of the housing via a stationary pivot pin.

5. The security system of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic sensor for sensing whether the latching device is in the locked or unlocked position, whereby predetermined feedback signal provides positioning data as to the internal location of the latching device.

6. The security system of claim 1, wherein the latching device includes:

an electronic control, operatively coupled to the receiver and the electro-mechanical actuator, including a trigger circuit, capacitors and power semiconductors to actuate the latching device; and

at least one of the transmitter and receiver includes a transceiver.

7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the latching device includes an electronic control operatively coupled to the receiver and the electro-mechanical actuator, an antenna and a power supply.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the latching device includes an electronic control operatively coupled to the receiver and the electro-mechanical actuator, having at least one capacitor having a predetermined capacitance.

9. The security system of claim 1, wherein the housing has an input for at least one of receiving an electric charge and electronic key and includes at least one of a solenoid cover and a latch guard.

10. The security system of claim 1, wherein the elongated distal section includes a stop tab substantially aligning the linkage mechanism with respect to the proximal section, to provide the simulated rigid link securing the latch device in the locked position.

11. The security system of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly includes an electronic control operatively coupled to the receiver and the electro-mechanical actuator, the electronic control includes a sensor which allows the electro-mechanical actuator to be actuated only when it provides a predetermined feedback signal.

12. A security system for cargo loading doors, comprising:

at least one of a remote transmitter and electronic key for transmitting a signal; and

a substantially portable and independently powered receiver for receiving the signal from at least one of the remote transmitter and the electronic key, comprising;

an electro-mechanical actuator comprising a solenoid coupled to the receiver which moves a latching device between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

the latching device attached to a substantially rectangular housing connectable on an interior surface of a cargo loading door for holding the electro-mechanical actuator;

said latching device being pivotably connected to the housing, and having a linkage mechanism coupling the electro-mechanical actuator and the latching device for moving the latching device to and from the locked position and the unlocked position, the linkage mechanism defining a simulated rigid link when the latching device is in the locked position and the linkage mechanism includes an elongated distal section and an L-shaped proximal section, the distal section is coupled to the latching device and a short leg of the L-shaped proximal section is couplable with the electro-mechanical actuator,

the elongated distal section and the L-shaped proximal section pivoting substantially upwardly and inwardly toward the narrow profile housing when the solenoid is in an extended condition defining the unlocked position and providing the simulated rigid link wherein the elongated distal section and a long leg of the L-shaped proximal section are substantially aligned when the solenoid is in a retracted condition defining the locked position, and

the linkage mechanism includes a stop tab to substantially align the elongated distal section and the long leg of the L-shaped proximal section to define the simulated rigid link.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the latching device includes an electronic control operatively coupled to the receiver and the electro-mechanical actuator, the electronic control includes a sensor which allows the electro-mechanical actuator to be actuated only when it provides a predetermined feedback signal.