Cargo lock and monitoring apparatus and process

• US 7,038,585 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Government Environmental Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Washington Government Environmental Services Company LLC (Aecom Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hall, Larry L., Schmoker, Duane S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/784,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.22, 340/988, 340/541, 340/431, 340/539.13, 340/539.26, 340/5.2, 340/5.33, 340/10.1, 340/10.5, 235/385, 235/375, 235/376, 700/225, 220/261, 220/1.5, 220/200, 220/203.22, 220/259.2, 220/810, 229/4.5, 229/5.7, 411/381, 411/116, 411/167, 411/548
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means relating to aerosol containers B65D83/224
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/00 Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing, or tearing of wall portions B65D17/00; pallets B65D19/00; tanks for domestic water storage heaters F24H1/181
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A security apparatus is disclosed which provides for a cargo asset monitoring and tracking capability. The security apparatus may contain a physical locking function which provides a physical deterrent to an attached item such as a shipping drum. A microcontroller is provided within the security apparatus which monitors and coordinates locking/unlocking functions of the security apparatus, monitors an associated sensor to detect alarm conditions, monitors information from an RF transceiver with respect to proximity alerts and monitors information from one or more sensors incorporated within the security apparatus, the sensors providing information which may indicate tampering or damage to the cargo. The security apparatus is able to provide an audible alarm as well as communicate with a remote monitoring station upon detection of an alarm condition. A tracking system and process of monitoring and controlling the security apparatus from a remote location are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A drum lock apparatus comprising:

a base member;

a cover member secured to said base member, said base member and said cover member defining a housing therebetween;

a first engagement member defined by one of said base member or said cover member and adapted for securing to a rim of a drum;

a second engagement member defined by one of said base member or said cover member and adapted for securing to a rim of a drum, at least one of said first and said second engagement members being reversibly positionable to an unlocked position distal from said housing; and

,

at least one solenoid carried in said housing, said solenoid operatively engaging at least one of said first and said second engagement members when said respective engagement member is in a locked position, thereby maintaining said first or said second engagement member in a locked position.

2. The drum lock apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a third engagement member defined by one of said base members or said cover members and is adapted for securing to a rim of a drum.

3. The drum lock apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing contains therein a power source in communication with said at least one solenoid;

and,

a microprocessor in communication with said power source and said solenoid.

4. The drum lock apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said housing further defines therein a sensor for monitoring an environmental parameter in proximity to said drum lock apparatus.

5. A security apparatus for attachment to a transported item comprising:

an upper panel;

a lower panel positioned beneath said upper panel;

a housing defined between said upper and said lower panels;

a first arm and a second arm extending radially from said housing, the free end of each said arm defining a lip extending below a plane of said base member, each said lip adapted for engaging an edge portion of a transported item;

a global positioning satellite transceiver positioned within said housing;

a microcontroller positioned within said housing;

a radio frequency transceiver positioned within said housing;

at least one sensor contained within said housing; and

,

an audible alarm device;

wherein, said security apparatus signals through said audible alarm device when said sensor signals an alarm condition.

6. The security apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said sensor is selected from the group of sensors consisting of a radiation sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke sensor, and a chemical sensor.

7. The security apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said security apparatus contains within said housing a two-way communication device adapted for providing communication with a remote monitoring station.

8. The security apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said radio frequency transceiver provides a proximity monitoring capability, said RF transceiver signaling said audible alarm device when said security apparatus is removed from a defined location.

9. A security apparatus for a cargo drum comprising:

a panel adapted for placement onto an upper surface of a cargo drum lid, the panel defining an outer perimeter having a plurality of attachment surfaces;

a plurality of brackets, each one of said brackets secured to a corresponding one of said plurality of attachment surfaces, each of said plurality of brackets defining a lip positioned below said panel and adapted for engaging an upper rim of a cargo drum;

wherein, when said security apparatus is positioned over a surface of a cargo drum lid, said security apparatus prevents removal of a lid from a cargo drum.

10. The security apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a lower surface of said panel supports a switch responsive to removal of the security apparatus from a cargo drum lid.

11. The security apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said tamper switch is in operative communication with an audible alarm, said alarm carried within a housing supported by said panel.

12. The security apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said housing further defines a global positioning satellite transceiver positioned within said housing;

a microcontroller positioned within said housing;

a radio frequency transceiver positioned within said housing; and

,

at least one sensor contained within said housing;

wherein said security apparatus signals through said audible alarm device when said sensor signals an alarm condition.

13. The security apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said housing additionally contains a two-way communication device adapted for providing communication with a remote monitoring station.

14. The security apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said sensor is selected from the group of sensors consisting of a radiation sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke sensor, and a chemical sensor.

15. A drum security apparatus comprising:

a base member;

a cover member secured to said base member, said base member and said cover member defining the housing therebetween;

a first engagement arm defined by one of said base member or said cover member adapted for securing to a rim of a drum;

a second engagement arm defined by one of said base member or said cover member and adapted for securing to a rim of a drum;

wherein, when said first engagement arm and said second engagement arm operatively engage a respective rim of a drum, said security apparatus prevents removal of the drum lid from a body of the drum.

16. The drum security apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said first engagement arm and said second engagement arm each define a respective resilient arcuate edge terminus for engaging the rim of a drum;

wherein, when said first engagement arm and said second engagement arm are secured to a rim of a drum, said drum security apparatus prevents the removal of a drum lid from a drum.

17. The drum security apparatus according to claim 16 wherein when said first engagement arm and said respective resilient arcuate edge terminus is placed against an edge of a drum rim, said arcuate edge terminus of said second engagement arm may be forced over a corresponding portion of a rim of a drum, thereby engaging said rim of said drum.

18. The drum security apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said drum security apparatus defines a third engagement arm defined by one of said base member or said cover member and adapted for securing to a rim of a drum.

19. The drum security apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said drum security apparatus defines further defines a tamper switch.

20. The drum security apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said housing contains therein a microcontroller which is in further communication with at least one sensor contained within said housing.