Tamper indicating padlock assembly

• US 8,482,411 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monty M. Brown
• Original Assignee: Monty M. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Monty M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK-CHILDRESS, RAJSHEED O
• Application Number:
  US12/759,810
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681-5684, 340/542, 340/543, 340/571, 340/539.1, 340/339.11, 70 20- 56, 70/571, 70/77
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/413 Padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control

Abstract

A tamper indicating padlock assembly for providing remote indication of tampering with the lock mechanism of the padlock includes a padlock having a padlock housing, an arm extending from the padlock housing, and a locking mechanism selectively engaging the arm. A sensor is positioned in the padlock housing for sensing movement of the arm within the padlock housing. The sensor is operationally coupled to a processor. A transmitter is operationally coupled to the processor for transmitting a tamper signal upon the sensor detecting movement of the arm relative to the housing. A key is provided to release the arm from the locking mechanism. A remote alarm assembly has a remote receiver for receiving the tamper signal. The remote alarm assembly includes a remote tamper indicator operationally coupled to the remote receiver for providing an indication of tampering to a user when the remote receiver receives the tamper signal.

Claims

1. A tamper indicating padlock assembly comprising:

a padlock having a padlock housing, an arm extending from said padlock housing, a locking mechanism positioned in said padlock housing and selectively engaging said arm;

a processor positioned in said padlock housing;

a sensor positioned in said padlock housing for sensing movement of said arm within said padlock housing, said sensor being operationally coupled to said processor;

a transmitter positioned in said housing, said transmitter being operationally coupled to said processor for transmitting a tamper signal upon said sensor detecting movement of said arm relative to said housing;

a key for manipulating said locking mechanism to release said arm from said locking mechanism;

a remote alarm assembly having a remote receiver for receiving said tamper signal;

said remote alarm assembly including a remote tamper indicator operationally coupled to said remote receiver for providing an indication of tampering to a user when said remote receiver receives said tamper signal;

an alarm indicator light coupled to said processor for illuminating said alarm indicator light upon said locking mechanism being manipulated into a locked position;

wherein said sensor is activated by said processor only when said locking mechanism is in a locked position;

a timer coupled to said processor for delaying transmission of said tamper signal until said sensor detects movement of said arm in excess of a pre-determined length of time;

wherein said timer is adjustable to set a desired delay time;

wherein said remote alarm assembly is positioned in a key fob;

wherein said remote alarm assembly includes an antenna coupled to said remote receiver;

wherein said remote alarm assembly includes a vibrator operationally coupled to said remote receiver for vibrating said remote alarm assembly upon said remote receiver receiving said tamper signal;

a sensor assembly battery electrically coupled to said processor for providing power to said processor;

wherein said sensor is a two-way open circuit trip sensor for detecting movement of said arm in opposing directions into and out of said housing;

wherein said remote alarm assembly includes a remote battery, a power button, and a remote activation light;

wherein said power button is operationally coupled to said remote battery and said remote receiver for selectively activating said remote receiver;

wherein said remote activation light is operationally coupled to said power button such that said remote activation light illuminates when said remote receiver is activated;

a belt clip coupled to said key fob;

a sensor assembly low battery indicator operationally coupled to said sensor assembly battery; and

a remote assembly low battery indicator operationally coupled to said remote battery.