Method and apparatus for increased container security

• US 7,317,387 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Savi Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Cova, Nicholas D., Weidick, Mark S., LaCorte, Blair B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/984,026
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.26, 340/545.1, 340/551, 340/989, 340/539.31
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/008 Doors for containers, e.g. ISO-containers locking E05B83/12
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/22 Safety features floating covers B65D88/34; arrangements of indicating or measuring devices B65D90/48; fire-fighting A62C

Abstract

One embodiment includes a support configured to resiliently and removably grip a door hinge portion, with circuitry coupled to a wireless communication portion on an exterior side thereof. A different embodiment has a wireless communication portion with two antennas that is supportable on a container by a support so the antennas face in different directions externally of the container. Another embodiment has a detector on a support with a portion configured to extend through a gap between a door frame and a door, and has a blocking portion that can obstruct access to the gap and detector. A further embodiment includes a container with a wall and a movable door, and an antenna in a recess of the wall near the top of the container. Another embodiment includes a container with a door and a vent, and an antenna supported adjacent the vent.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a device that includes:

a support having a selected portion configured to extend through a gap between a door frame and a door;

a blocking portion supported on the support and adapted to obstruct access to the gap; and

a detector supported on said support at a location therealong which is on the same side of said blocking portion as said selected portion.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said blocking portion includes a blocking part stationarily supported on said support and projecting transversely outwardly with respect to said selected portion adjacent one end thereof, said blocking part being configured so that, when said device is supported on a door frame and a door is moving between open and closed positions, a door edge passes closely adjacent said blocking part but without engaging the blocking part.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said blocking part includes, on a side thereof facing said selected portion, a curved surface that is shaped so that, when the device is supported on a door frame, a path of movement of the door edge extends closely adjacent at least a portion of the curved surface.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said blocking portion includes a blocking part supported on said support and projecting transversely outwardly with respect to said blocking portion adjacent one end thereof, said blocking part having a limited degree of flexibility that permits limited movement of an outer end thereof, and being configured so that, when said device is supported on a door frame and a door is moving between open and closed positions, the outer end of the blocking part is engaged and moved by a door edge and then is resiliently returned to its normal position.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said blocking portion includes a blocking part movably supported on said support adjacent one end of said selected portion, said device being configured so that, when said device is supported on a door frame and a door is moving between open and closed positions, the blocking part is engaged and moved by a door edge.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein said blocking part is movable approximately transversely with respect to said selected portion;

and

wherein said blocking portion includes a resilient portion that yieldably urges said blocking part toward a normal position, so that when said device is supported on a door frame and a door is moving between open and closed positions, the blocking part is engaged and moved by a door edge and then is returned to its normal position by the resilient portion.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said blocking part has a recess and is supported on said support for pivotal movement about an axis between first and second positions, so that when said device is supported on a door frame and a door moves from an open position to a closed position, a door edge extending approximately parallel to said axis moves into the recess and pivots said blocking part from said first position to said second position, and so that when the door moves from the closed position to the open position, the door edge pivots the blocking part from the second position to the first position and then moves out of the recess.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the detector is responsive to movement of the blocking part.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support is approximately U-shaped and has spaced first and second portions and a third portion, said first and second portions each projecting outwardly in a selected direction from a respective end of said third portion, said third portion including said selected portion, and said blocking portion being disposed in the region of one of the ends of said third portion.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a wireless communication portion supported on said support on a side of said blocking portion remote from said selected portion.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said wireless communication portion includes an antenna.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a further portion supported on said support, said further portion being on the same side of said blocking portion as said selected portion, and said further portion having circuitry that is coupled to said detector.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detector is one of a switch and a sensor.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detector is responsive to the position of a door.

15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detector is a pressure sensor positioned to be engaged by a door when the device is supported on a door frame and the door is in a closed position.