Locks – Hasp
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-29
2001-02-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Hasp
C070S465000, C070S056000, C292S285000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182479
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a security system for use with a junction box, and in particular, to a hinged security override system for use with a junction box in a commercial setting such as, for example, a Building Entrance Protector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Junction boxes have long been used to collect and protect telephone and electrical wires for distribution, splicing, cross connection and other uses. In the telephony arts, such junction boxes are more commonly known as network interface units (NIUs) and/or building entrance protectors (BEPs).
In a telephone network, a network cable from the central office is connected to a BEP located at the customer site, where the individual telephone lines are broken out line by line. The network cable, which consist of a plurality of tip-ring wire pairs that each represent a telephone line, is typically connected to a connector block that is an integral part of the BEP. Such connectors may be, for example, the ubiquitous 66-type punch down connector, or an SC 99 type connector block, such as are available from Lucent Technologies Inc. The customer telephone equipment is coupled through the connector block to a central office (CO) telephone line. The CO line side of the connector is generally the bottom side of the connector block, where the CO line tip-ring wire pairs are connected using a wire-wrapping tool.
The BEP has a lockable outer door to prevent unauthorized access to the components inside. The outer door is generally secured by a keyed padlock, and the building owner retains possession of the only key. Frequently, it is necessary for others besides the building owner to open the BEP for servicing or maintenance, for example, telephone company technicians or contractors acting in their capacity. Such servicing will at times occur during non-business hours or at other times when the building owner cannot be located or is not available. If the building owner is not available the technician wishing to service the BEP would not be able to do so because the building owner has the only key to the padlock. The technician would then have to come back at a later date when the building owner was available, which is both inconvenient to the technician, and costly to the building owner and their customers. Also, if the key to the padlock was lost, it would be necessary to saw off the padlock in order to access the components within the BEP. Accordingly, a mechanism for overriding the padlock is desired, while at the same time maintaining the appearance of a secure, locked utility box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a security override mechanism for accessing the components within a padlocked utility box without having to first unlock the padlock, while at the same time maintaining the appearance of a secure, locked utility box.
The mechanism consists of a generally U-shaped bracket which is hingeably mounted to the outside of the front door of the utility box. The bracket is hingeably mounted at one end of the “U” and comprises a retaining hook at the other end. The bracket is hingeably movable between an open position, wherein the hook is outside the outer door of the utility box, and a closed position, wherein the hook extends through an opening in the outer door of the utility box to a point inside the utility box. A hasp portion is fixedly mounted to a rear wall within the utility box and extends through an opening in the outer door of the utility box to mate with the bracket at a point outside of the outer door when the bracket is in its closed position. The bracket is constructed such that when in its closed position, it mates with the hasp portion to form what appears to be, and what acts as, a conventional padlock hasp with an opening to receive a padlock. When the outer door is closed and the bracket is in its closed position mating with the hasp portion, a padlock is inserted through the hasp opening formed thereby in a conventional manner. The padlock is therefore between the outer door and the mating bracket and hasp portion. When the bracket is in its closed position, the hook engages a retention plate slideably mounted to an inside surface of the outer door. The retention plate is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the retention plate is in its extended position, the hook on the bracket engages the retention plate and maintains the bracket in its closed position. Thus, when the hook is engaged with the retention plate, and the padlock is installed within the opening between the bracket and the hasp portion, the outer door cannot be opened without removing the padlock. However, the security mechanism can be overridden by the technician or building owner knowledgeable in its construction, facilitating removal of the padlock from the hasp without unlocking the padlock.
In a preferred embodiment, the retention plate is connected to the outer door at one end. The other end of the retention plate slides through a guide channel wherein it slideably engages the hook on the bracket. The retention plate is constructed such that it is biased towards its extended position, i.e., towards the hook. The retention plate is moved from its extended position to its retracted position by using a tool inserted through an opening in the outer door that is accessible through an open portion of the bracket. The opening could be the same opening in which the hook extends through the outer door or a different opening. In any event, once the tool is inserted through the outer door the technician can slide the retention plate to its retracted position. Once the retention plate is moved into its retracted position it no longer engages the bracket hook. The bracket can then be hingeably moved to its open position, wherein the padlock can be removed without first unlocking it, and the outer door can be opened. Thus, while the utility box looks as though it cannot be opened without first unlocking the padlock, the technician knowledgeable in its construction can open the utility box without unlocking the padlock. Also, should the key to the padlock become lost, the building owner can open the utility box without having to cut off the padlock.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1806031 (1931-05-01), Vignos
patent: 1961041 (1934-05-01), Gilbert, Jr.
patent: 2825218 (1958-03-01), O'Brien
patent: 3572062 (1971-03-01), Beebe
patent: 3889498 (1975-06-01), Harrell
patent: 3926018 (1975-12-01), Joersz
patent: 3938837 (1976-02-01), Bright
patent: 4085599 (1978-04-01), Fischer et al.
patent: 4229956 (1980-10-01), Thorburn
patent: 4290281 (1981-09-01), Knaack et al.
patent: 4782675 (1988-11-01), Thorburn
patent: 5076078 (1991-12-01), Weger, Jr.
patent: 5092143 (1992-03-01), Rumbles
patent: 5312266 (1994-05-01), Daoud
patent: 5315849 (1994-05-01), Georgopoulos
patent: 5497416 (1996-03-01), Butler, III et al.
patent: 5740685 (1998-04-01), Daoud
patent: 5743116 (1998-04-01), Suster
Browne Lynne H.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Walsh John B.
LandOfFree
Hinged security override system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hinged security override system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hinged security override system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2614826