Pressurized chemical theft deterrent device

• US 9,890,561 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2017
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skunklock Inc.
• Original Assignee: Skunklock Inc.
• Inventors: Perrenoud, Yves, Idzkowski, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Boswell, Christopher J
• Application Number:
  US15/449,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20170254114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/16 characterised by the actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/382 with closures that must be perforated
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/384 comprising an aerosol container disposed in an outer shell or in an external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/42 Filling or charging means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/752 characterised by the use of specific products or propellants
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 7/00 Compositions for gas-attacks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/002 by releasing a liquid, e.g. ill-smelling or dye
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/02 Cases
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/063 Padlocks with removable shackles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/22 Padlocks with sliding shackles, with or without rotary or pivotal movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 71/00 Locks specially adapted for bicycles, other than padlocks locks integral with holders for parking or storing bicycles B62H3/00; locks integral with cycles B62H5/00

Abstract

A pressurized chemical theft deterrent device includes a locking portion and a shackle. The locking portion includes a locking mechanism. The shackle includes a shackle wall. The shackle is configured to house a chemical deterrent within the shackle wall. The chemical deterrent is pressurized while being housed inside the shackle such that a breach in the integrity of the shackle wall causes an aerosolized release of the chemical deterrent.

Claims

1. A U-lock bicycle theft deterrent device comprising:

a U-lock crossbar locking portion, the locking portion including a locking mechanism;

a U-lock shackle including a hardened shackle wall configured to lock directly with the U-lock crossbar locking portion, the shackle configured to house a chemical deterrent within the shackle wall, the chemical deterrent being pressurized while being housed in the shackle such that a breach in the integrity of the shackle wall causes pressurized release of the chemical deterrent; and

one or more sliders located within the U-lock shackle to assist in pressurized release of the chemical deterrent.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the aerosolized release of the chemical deterrent only occurs if the breach to the integrity of the shackle is deep enough to pierce a containment chamber housing the chemical deterrent.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle comprises a hollow tube utilized as a containment chamber for housing the chemical deterrent.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle wall has a strength and thickness sufficient for providing resistance to or delayed cutting by a cutting tool.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle wall comprises hardened medium carbon steel.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle comprises a containment chamber to provide an effective aerosolized release of the chemical deterrent.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle comprises an inner lining surrounding a containment chamber for the chemical deterrent, the inner lining configured to prevent or mitigate corrosive effects of the chemical deterrent.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the inner lining comprises a chemically resistant polymer.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the chemical resistant polymer is selected from the group of epoxy resin, polyolefin, or a fluoropolymer based compound, or the combinations thereof.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking portion is a crossbar.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the shackle is generally U-shaped.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking portion comprises a containment chamber for housing the chemical deterrent.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the chemical deterrent comprises a solution comprising an irritant element or a lachrymatory agent, an odorous element, a dye, and a propellant.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the chemical deterrent further comprises binding elements, solvents, and preservatives.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the irritant element or lachrymatory agent comprises one or more of capsaicinoid (capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nonivamide), 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, dibenzoxazepine, phenacyl chloride, or syn-propanethial-S-oxide.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the odorous element comprises one or more of butyric acid, thiols (1,3-Propanedithiol ethanethiol, methanethiol, propanethiol, butanethiol), propionic acid, putrescine, cadaverine, skatole, hydrogen sulfide, or ammonium sulfide.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the propellant comprises one or more of butane, isobutene, propane, diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, or methyl chloride.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the chemical deterrent is defined by the equilibrium vapor of propellant used in a formula thereof.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the chemical deterrent comprises an amount of propellant sufficient to create a containment pressure inside the shackle between 70 and 100 PSI at 20°

C.

20. A theft deterrent system comprising a locking portion, the locking portion including a locking mechanism;

a shackle including a shackle wall, the shackle configured to house one or more containments containing a chemical deterrent within the shackle wall, the chemical deterrent being pressurized while being housed in the one or more containments such that a breach in the integrity of the shackle wall causes an aerosolized release of the chemical deterrent; and

one or more sliders located within the U-lock shackle to assist in pressurized release of the chemical deterrent, wherein the locking portion is adapted to lock open ends of the shackle upon operation of the locking mechanism, wherein the one or more containments are subdivided into chambers, adjacent chambers connected through a nozzle configured therebetween.