Semitrailer cargo, door locking system

• US 6,233,984 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Safety Lock Inc.
• Original Assignee: Andrew Blehi III
• Inventors: Blehi, Andrew III
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US09/448,160
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 70/2--14, 70/32--34, 70/54--56, 701/98--02, 702/12, 704/39--41, 292/202, 292/205, 292/DIG.2, 292/32
• US Class Current: 70/34
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/002 locking the handle E05B13/10, E05B47/0657 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/02 with destructible seal closures or paper closures
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/36 Padlocks with closing means other than shackles ; Removable locks, the lock body itself being the locking element; Padlocks consisting of two separable halves or cooperating with a stud
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/10 Rotary bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/30 Hasp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/443 Single stem or shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8243 With seal

Abstract

A semitrailer cargo door locking system is described for use with a semitrailer cargo door having as part of its opening mechanism a rotatable handle which secured within a hasp mechanism comprising a rigid lower hasp and a swivelable upper hasp. The locking system includes a shackleless keyed lock having an internal bolt for engaging aligned holes provided in the upper and lower hasps, thereby preventing unauthorized opening of the cargo doors when in a locked state. The lock housing is provided both with a protective extension to minimize attempts to pry the lock, and with a tapered side wall to prevent removal by the application of a destructive torque applied by a wrench or other like device. The lock is further provided with a anchor line for either permanently or removably securing the lock to the cargo door. To provide the lock with the ability to be used with regulated loads, a means may also be provided to attach a sealing structure to the lock.

Claims

1. A semitrailer cargo door locking system for use with a cargo door of the type having a hasp means, comprising an upper hasp and a lower hasp, for securing a door handle in a closed position, said system comprising, in combination:

(a) a shackleless lock housing having a back surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface;

(b) a first receiving means within said shackleless lock housing for receiving the hasp means; and

(c) a locking means, comprising a locking bolt, disposed within said shackleless lock housing for locking, with said locking bolt, the upper hasp and the lower hasp within said receiving means;

(d) wherein said locking means comprises;

(i) a key-activated tumbler; and

(ii) said locking bolt, coupled to said tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in the upper hasp and an opening in the lower hasp; and

(e) wherein said first receiving means comprises contour means for contouring said back surface of said shackleless lock housing to receive the hasp means into a position of engageability with said locking bolt.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first receiving means comprises a cavity formed in said back surface of said shackleless lock housing.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said cavity comprises semicircular ends structured and arranged to permit entry of a curved hasp.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said semi-circular ends have a diameter of about ¾

inch.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mooring means for securely mooring said shackleless housing to the semitrailer.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to said shackleless housing and permanently attachable to the semitrailer.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said cable has a length of about 14 inches.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to said shackleless housing and removably attachable to the semitrailer.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said cable has a length of about 28 inches.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said contour means comprises a protective portion extending upward from said bottom surface of said shackleless housing for a distance of about ¾

inch.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said protective portion has a thickness extending outwardly from said back surface of said housing for a distance of about ¼

inch.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said shackleless housing is substantially rounded and comprises a side surface having a larger diameter adjacent said back surface than adjacent said front surface.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said shackleless housing comprises a side surface having a tumbler access opening.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a second receiving means for receiving a lockable flat seal of the type having an elongated body.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said second receiving means comprises:

(a) a seal aperture structured and arranged to bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said seal aperture is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said second receiving means comprises:

(a) a circumferential channel formed on said side surface structured and arranged to substantially bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said circumferential channel is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal.

17. A semitrailer cargo door locking system comprising, in combination:

(a) a semitrailer comprising a cargo door;

(b) a handle attached to said cargo door;

(c) a hasp means for securing said handle adjacent said cargo door;

(d) a shackleless lock housing, attachable to said hasp means, having a back surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface;

(e) a first receiving means within said shackleless lock housing for receiving said hasp means; and

(f) a locking means, comprising a locking bolt coupled to a key-activated tumbler, disposed within said shackleless lock housing for locking, with said locking bolt, the upper hasp and the lower hasp within said receiving means;

(g) wherein said locking means comprises;

(i) a key-activated tumbler; and

(ii) said locking bolt, coupled to said tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in the upper hasp and an opening in the lower hasp; and

(h) wherein said first receiving means comprises contour means for contouring said back surface of said shackleless lock housing to receive the hasp means into a position of engageability with said locking bolt.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said first receiving means comprises a cavity formed in said back surface of said housing.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said cavity comprises semi-circular ends structured and arranged to permit entry of a said hasp means where said hasp means is curved.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising a mooring means for securely mooring said shackleless lock housing to said semitrailer.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to said shackleless lock housing and permanently attachable to the semitrailer.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein said mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to said shackleless lock housing and removably attachable to said semitrailer.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein said contour means comprises a protective portion extending upward from said bottom surface of said shackleless lock housing for a distance of about ¾

inch.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said hasp means comprises at least one hasp.

25. The system of claim 17 wherein said shackleless lock housing is substantially round and comprises a side surface having a larger diameter adjacent said back surface than adjacent said front surface.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein said shackleless lock housing comprises a side surface having a tumbler access opening.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising a second receiving means for receiving a lockable flat seal of the type having an elongated body.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said second receiving means comprises:

(a) a seal aperture structured and arranged to bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said seal aperture is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said second receiving means comprises:

(a) a circumferential channel formed on said side surface structured and arranged to substantially bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said circumferential channel is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal.

30. A semitrailer cargo door locking system for use with a cargo door of the type having a hasp means comprising an upper hasp and a lower hasp for securing a door handle in a closed position comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a back surface, a front surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and having a tumbler access opening;

(b) a cavity formed in said back surface of said housing, said cavity having semi-circular ends and being structured and arranged to permit entry into said housing of a curved hasp;

(c) a key activated tumbler disposed within said tumbler access opening;

(d) a bolt, coupled to said tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in the upper hasp and an opening in the lower hasp; and

(e) a protective portion extending upward from said bottom surface of said housing for a distance of about ¾

inch;

(f) wherein said housing is substantially round and comprises a side surface having a larger diameter adjacent said back surface than adjacent said front surface.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said semi-circular ends have a diameter of about ¾

inch.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein said protective portion has a thickness extending outwardly from said back surface of said housing for a distance of about ¼

inch.

33. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

(a) a cable attached to said housing and attachable to the semitrailer.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said cable has a length of about 14 inches and is permanently attached to said housing and permanently attachable to the semitrailer.

35. The system of claim 33 wherein said cable has a length of about 28 inches and is permanently attached to said housing and removably attachable to the semitrailer.

36. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

(a) a seal aperture structured and arranged to bisect said tumbler access opening;

(b) wherein said seal aperture is structured and arranged to receive an elongated portion of a lockable flat seal.

37. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

(a) a circumferential channel formed on said side surface structured and arranged to substantially bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said circumferential channel is structured and arranged to receive an elongated portion of a lockable flat seal.

38. A semitrailer cargo door locking system for use with a cargo door of the type having a hasp means, comprising an upper hasp and a lower hasp, for securing a door handle in a closed position, said system comprising, in combination:

(a) a shackleless lock housing having a back surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface;

(b) a first receiver within said shackleless lock housing arranged to receive the hasp means;

(c) a lock disposed within said shackleless lock housing to lock the upper hasp and the lower hasp within said receiver; and

, wherein said lock comprises;

(i) a key-activated tumbler; and

(ii) a locking bolt coupled to said tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in the upper hasp and an opening in the lower hasp; and

(d) a tamper evident element, coupled to and outside said shackleless lock housing, arranged to provide a visual indication of potential unlocking of said lock.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said back surface comprises a contour portion to contour said shackleless lock housing to the contours of the hasp means.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said contour portion comprises a protective portion extending upward from said bottom surface of said shackleless housing for a distance of about ¾

inch.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein said first receiver comprises cavity formed in said back surface of said shackleless lock housing.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein said cavity comprises semicircular ends structured and arranged to permit entry of a curved hasp.

43. The system of claim 38, further comprising a mooring element to securely moor said shackleless lock housing to the semitrailer.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein said mooring element comprises a cable permanently attached to said shackleless lock housing and attachable to the semitrailer.

45. The system of claim 38 wherein said shackleless housing comprises a side surface having a tumbler access opening.

46. The system of claim 45 further comprising a second receiver arranged to receive said tamper evident element, and wherein said tamper evident element comprises a lockable flat seal of the type having an elongated body.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said second receiver comprises:

(a) a seal aperture structured and arranged to bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said seal aperture is structured and arranged to receive an elongated portion of said lockable flat seal.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein said second receiver comprises:

(a) a circumferential channel formed on said side surface structured and arranged to substantially bisect said tumbler access opening; and

(b) wherein said circumferential channel is structured and arranged to receive said elongated portion of said lockable flat seal.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said circumferential channel is at least as deep as a maximum thickness of said flat seal.

50. The system of claim 48 further comprising a retainer arranged to retain said flat seal within said circumferential channel.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said retainer comprises at least one retainer element, integrally attached to said side surface, said retainer element being structured and arranged to bisect said circumferential channel.