Security cover system for cargo container latch

• US 6,846,024 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2002
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Gabriel Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Palzkill, Raymond G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/066,838
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 292/327, 292/261, 292/307.R, 292318-321, 292/331, 292/281, 292/DIG.2, 292/286, 292/287, 70 32- 34, 70 9- 12, 70 54- 56
• US Class Current: 292/261
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/00 Locks giving indication of authorised or unauthorised unlocking with key identification means E05B35/001; alarm locks E05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/38 Auxiliary or protective devices weather protection E05B17/002; armoured cases E05B67/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/10 Rotary bars
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/18 Combined units comprising both motor and pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/25 Cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/31 Hasps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/51 Seal bolts

Abstract

A security system for a shipping container includes a cover and seal pin, and a special removal tool for removing the pin from the cover. The cover includes a vertical channel with top and bottom plates mounted therein to form a rearwardly opening box. A pair of vertically aligned apertures in the top and bottom plates are aligned with apertures in ears of a hasp on the shipping container, and receive the seal pin to secure the cover to the container. A seal pin includes an elongated shaft with annular grooves in the upper and lower ends. A pair of end caps each includes an annular groove on their interior surfaces that correspond with the shaft grooves to retain a locking ring within the pair of aligned grooves, when the caps are snapped on the ends of the shaft. The locking rings prevent removal of the caps, once snapped into place on the shaft. A removal tool includes a hydraulic pump with a punch secured to a piston of the pump. A punch housing has a gripping structure on the lower end that will grip a seal pin end cap, while the punch is driven through the end cap to push the shaft free of the end cap and release the seal pin.

Claims

1. A security system for a shipping container of the type having doors with a rotatable keeper bar and operating handle to be secured by a hasp having a pair of ears with vertically-aligned apertures, comprising:

a security cover, including;

a vertical channel having upper and lower ends, a front wall and opposing sidewalls extending rearwardly from the front wall;

a top plate mounted in the channel, perpendicular to the front and sidewalls and extending rearwardly the extent of the sidewalls;

a bottom plate mounted in the channel, perpendicular to the front and sidewalls and extending rearwardly the extent of the sidewalls;

a pair of vertically aligned apertures formed in the top and bottom plates, spaced from the front and sidewalls, for receiving a seal pin therethrough; and

a pair of horizontally aligned openings formed in the sidewalls, extending forwardly from rearward edges of the sidewalls, for receiving a shipping container handle therethrough;

a seal pin for use in retaining the security cover on the hasp of the shipping container, including;

a rigid elongated cylindrical shaft, having upper and lower ends;

an upper annular groove formed in the shaft spaced from the upper end and extending around a circumference of the shaft;

a lower annular groove formed in the shaft spaced from the lower end and extending around a circumference of the shaft;

a pair of end caps for securement to each end of the shaft, each cap having an outward end, an inward end and a central bore extending from the inward end towards the outward end to form a generally cylindrical sidewall with inward and outward surfaces;

each end cap including an annular groove formed on the inward surface of the sidewall, parallel to the ends and located a distance from the outward end to lie adjacent one of said annular grooves in the shaft when the cap is secured to an end of the shaft; and

a pair of locking rings for securing each end cap to an end of the shaft, each locking ring having a split toroidal shape, with a diameter such that when the ring is journaled between a pair of associated grooves of an end cap and one end of the shaft it will prevent removal of the end cap from the shaft; and

a removal tool for removing the seal pin from the security comprising;

an operable pump mounted within a housing, the housing having upper and lower ends and a sidewall;

a pump handle connected to the pump and operable to selectively pump up pressure within the pump housing;

an operable release valve for selectively permitting or preventing the build-up of pressure in the pump upon operation of the pump handle;

a piston reciprocatingly mounted within a cylinder attached to the lower end of the pump, the piston operable to move downwardly in response to a build up of pressure within the pump;

a fluid reservoir fluidly connected to the pump, for supplying fluid to be placed under pressure in the pump;

a punch secured to the piston for movement therewith, the punch having a free lower end;

a punch housing secured to the lower end of the pump and enclosing the punch therein, said punch housing having a closed lower end with an aperture through which the punch lower end will slide and project upon operation of the pump to move the piston downwardly; and

means on the lower end of the punch housing for gripping a seal pin end cap and retain the cap in position during operation of the punch to a lower position projecting from the punch housing.