Antitheft apparatus for a conduit structure

• US 7,455,277 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byron N. Bishop, Richard J. Bender
• Original Assignee: Byron N. Bishop, Richard J. Bender
• Inventors: Bender, Richard J., Bishop, Byron N.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/511,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20080078218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 248/551, 248/552, 248/49, 248/71, 248/73, 248/87, 248/88, 248/156, 256/DIG.5, 256/65.14, 526/32, 521/691.3, 522/96, 522/95, 521/70, 522/933, 404/6, 404/9, 404/11, 49/35, 49/49, 701/81, 702/27
• US Class Current: 248/552
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5642 Rod

Abstract

A pipe run is secured from theft by an antitheft apparatus providing a pair of straight tubes, coaxially engaged with an inner one of the tubes slidingly engaged within an outer one of the tubes. Each of the tubes provides a closure plate at one end with one or more apertures in it. A cover on an upper end of the inner tube is able to engage the pipe run to prevent it from being disassembled or pulled from its installation. To service the pipe run, the cover may be opened and the inner pipe lowered into the outer pipe. The tubes are secured to a mooring. Two of the apparatuses may be secured in spaced apart locations on the pipe run to secure components of the pipe run that are between the apparatuses.

Claims

1. An antitheft apparatus for a conduit structure comprising:

a pair of straight tubes;

one of the tubes slidingly engaged within the other of the tubes;

each of the tubes providing, distally, a closure plate with at least one aperture therein;

an inner one of the tubes providing, proximally, an integral clamp engagable with the conduit structure in an abutting relationship when the inner one of the tubes is extended from the outer one of the tubes;

a lag bar engaged, proximally, within the at least one aperture of the inner one of the tubes, the lag bar extending through and distally beyond the at least one aperture of an outer one of the tubes, wherein, the inner one of the tubes is free to slide along the lag bar within the outer one of the tubes when the clamp is not engaged with the pipe run.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mooring, the lag bar, distally, fixed therein, the outer one of the tubes, distally, fastened to the mooring.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamp is shaped so as to tightly circumscribe a portion of the pipe run.

4. A combination comprising:

a pipe run and an antitheft apparatus;

the antitheft apparatus having;

a pair of straight tubes;

one of the tubes slidingly engaged within the other of the tubes;

each of the tubes providing, distally, a closure plate with at least one aperture therein;

an inner one of the tubes providing, proximally, an integral clamp removably engaged with the conduit structure in an abutting relationship when the inner one of the tubes is extended from the outer one of the tubes;

a lag bar engaged, proximally, within the at least one aperture of the inner one of the tubes, the lag bar extending through and distally beyond the at least one aperture of an outer one of the tubes, wherein, the inner one of the tubes is free to slide along the lag bar within the outer one of the tubes when the clamp is not engaged with the pipe run.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a mooring, the lag bar, distally, fixed therein, the outer one of the tubes, distally, fastened to the mooring.

6. A combination comprising:

a pipe run and a pair of antitheft apparatuses;

each one of the antitheft apparatuses having;

a pair of straight tubes;

one of the tubes slidingly engaged within the other of the tubes;

each of the tubes providing, distally, a closure plate with at least one aperture therein;

an inner one of the tubes providing, proximally, an integral clamp engagable with the conduit structure in an abutting relationship when the inner one of the tubes is extended from the outer one of the tubes;

a lag bar engaged, proximally, within the at least one aperture of the inner one of the tubes, the lag bar extending through and distally beyond the at least one aperture of an outer one of the tubes, wherein, each of the inner ones of the tubes are free to slide along the respective lag bar within the respective outer one of the tubes when the respective clamp is not engaged with the pipe run;

the pair of antitheft apparatuses placed in spaced apart positions on the pipe run with the respective lag bars engaged with moorings for securing the apparatus.