Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1995-05-11
1996-12-24
Hofsass, Jeffery
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
70 38A, 70 38B, 70DIG49, 70439, E05B 4506
Patent
active
055877028
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a padlock, and more particularly, to a padlock which incorporates a tamper alarm.
BACKGROUND ART
Padlocks are typically used for securing possessions, such as bicycles, trailers etc against theft whilst their owners are absent, or for preventing unauthorised access to particular areas or locations.
However, padlocks generally do not present a significant barrier to a person seriously intent on theft or trespass. In this regard, even a moderately well equipped thief or trespasser usually possesses the wherewithal to sever or force the shackle of the padlock.
There are a number of known padlocks which include an integral alarm system adopted to sound or activate when the padlock is violated or tampered with. Representative of such prior art padlocks are those decribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,987, 4,556,872 and 4,811,578.
All of the padlocks disclosed in the above U.S. Patent Specifications include an audible alarm sounding device, a battery for energizing the audible alarm sounding device and an electrical circuit having switches connecting the audible alarm sounding device to the battery for actuation when the padlock is tampered with or violated. A problem associated with all battery operated equipment is that the battery or batteries eventually wear out and, if use of the alarm function is to continue, must be replaced.
The padlocks described in the above noted U.S. Patent Specifications each include provision for access to the battery housed within the padlock body to enable removal and replacement. In each, however, such provision affords an obvious point at which to gain unauthorised access to the battery, remove it and thereby deactivate or disable the alarm.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a padlock incorporating a tamper alarm having features which reduce to at least some extent, as compared with the prior art, the opportunity for unauthorised deactivation of the tamper alarm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a broad aspect this invention provides a padlock comprising a shackle and a body, the shackle having an end releasably securable in the body, the body having a casing, the casing housing a tamper alarm means and a lock means, the tamper alarm means including a power supply means, the casing having an aperture configured and arranged to receive the end of the shackle, the end of the shackle being securable in the aperture by way of the lock means, a portion of the casing being movable to enable access to the power supply means, movement of the portion of the casing being prevented by a retaining means, characterised in that the retaining means is only accessable for insertion or removal via the aperture in the casing configured and arranged to receive the end of the shackle.
Preferably, the casing comprises two or more portions maintained in contiguity by the retaining means.
Desirably, the casing portions can interlock.
Optionally, the shackle is entirely separable from the body. In which situation the interlocking sections of the casing can be maintained in releasable interlocked engagement by way of a first and a second retaining means both locatable interior of the casing, the first retaining means only being accessable when interior of the casing through a first aperture in the casing, the first aperture being configured and arranged to receive a first end of the shackle, and the second retaining means only being accessable when interior of the casing through a second aperture in the casing, the second aperture being configured and arranged to receive a second end of the shackle, both the first end and the second end of the shackle being releasably securable within the casing by way of the lock means.
Alternatively the shackle can have a first end and a second end, the first end being releasably securable in the aperture in the casing, and the second end being captively mounted within or to the body. Expediently the second end can be fixed mounted to the body.
The shackle may be of any known type, including both rigid type and f
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Hofsass Jeffery
Lee Benjamin C.
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