Locks – Portable – Padlocks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-05-22
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Portable
Padlocks
C070S002000, C070S056000, C070S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233984
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a semitrailer cargo door locking system. More particularly, this invention concerns a semitrailer cargo door locking system for mechanically locking the cargo doors of the semitrailer in a manner intended to make more difficult the unauthorized entry and theft of the semitrailer contents. In addition, this invention concerns the provision of semitrailer cargo door locking system which may be used in conjunction with a sealing structure to provide a visual indication of possible tampering of regulated loads such as, for example, alcohol, produce, and firearms.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, semitrailers (herein referred to as trailers) are used to transport goods over the open roads by attaching the trailer to a semi truck (herein referred to as tractor). The cargo contained in the trailers often consists of valuable items which provides an inviting target to would-be thieves who will go to any lengths to access the trailer and obtain the cargo contained therein. Due to the fact that it is often inconvenient, impracticable, or even impossible to provide security in the form of a human presence when the trailer is not in transit, numerous other methods are often employed for safeguarding the contents of the trailers.
Typically, the trailer contents are locked by using a padlock passing through the trailer hasps holding the door handle. However, this protection method often fails, for example, by thieves using a bolt cutter to quickly cut through the shackle of the padlock. Thus, there exists an unmet need for a better system for locking such trailers.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the above-mentioned need by the provision of a semitrailer cargo door locking system. A further primary object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is efficient, inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to manufacture. In addition, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide such a system in which a locking means is available either as a permanent attachment to a trailer cargo door, or may be removed by the user from the door when not in use. Furthermore, it is also a primary object of the present invention to provide such a system which may be used in conjunction with regulated loads such as alcohol, firearms, and produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention provides a semitrailer cargo door locking system for use with a cargo door of the type having a hasp means, comprising an upper hasp and a lower hasp, for securing a door handle in a closed position, such system comprising, in combination: a housing having a back surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface; a receiving means within such housing for receiving the hasp means; and a locking means disposed within such housing for locking the upper hasp and the lower hasp within such receiving means; wherein such back surface comprises contour means for contouring such housing to the contours of the hasp means. It further provides such a system wherein such receiving means comprises a cavity formed in such back surface of such housing; and, further, wherein such cavity comprises semi-circular ends structured and arranged to permit entry of a curved hasp; and, further, wherein such semi-circular ends have a diameter of about ¾ inch.
Additionally, the present invention provides such a system wherein such locking means comprises: a key-activated tumbler; and a bolt, coupled to such tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in the upper hasp and an opening in the lower hasp. And it provides such a system further comprising a mooring means for securely mooring such housing to the semitrailer; and, further, wherein such mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to such housing and permanently attachable to the semitrailer; and, further, wherein such cable has a length of about 14 inches. It also provides such a system wherein such mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to such housing and removably attachable to the semitrailer; and, further, wherein such cable has a length of about 28 inches.
Moreover, this invention provides such a system wherein such contour means comprises a protective portion extending upward from such bottom surface of such housing for a distance of about ¾ inch; and, further, wherein such protective portion has a thickness extending outwardly from such back surface of such housing for a distance of about ¼ inch. Even further, this invention provides such a system wherein such housing is substantially round and comprises a side surface having a larger diameter adjacent such back surface than adjacent such front surface. And, yet further, it provides for such a system wherein such housing comprises a side surface having a tumbler access opening. Also, this invention provides for such a system further comprising a receiving means for receiving a lockable flat seal of the type having an elongated body; and, wherein such receiving means comprises: a seal aperture structured and arranged to bisect such tumbler access opening; and wherein such seal aperture is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal. Yet further still, this invention provides for such a system wherein such receiving means comprises: a circumferential channel formed on such side surface structured and arranged to substantially bisect such tumbler access opening; and wherein such circumferential channel is structured and arranged to receive the elongated portion of the lockable flat seal.
Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention provides a semitrailer cargo door locking system comprising, in combination: a cargo door; a handle attached to such cargo door; a hasp means for securing such handle adjacent such cargo door; a housing, attachable to such hasp means, having a back surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface; a receiving means within such housing for receiving such hasp means; and a locking means disposed within such housing for locking such hasp means within such receiving means; wherein such back surface comprises contour means for contouring such housing to align with such hasp means. And it provides such a system wherein such receiving means comprises a cavity formed in such back surface of such housing; and, further, wherein such cavity comprises semi-circular ends structured and arranged to permit entry of a curved hasp means; and, further, wherein such locking means comprises a key activated tumbler, and a bolt, coupled to such tumbler and structured and arranged to be simultaneously engageable with an opening in such hasp means.
Yet further, this invention provides such a system further comprising a mooring means for securely mooring such housing to the semitrailer; and, further, wherein such mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to such housing and permanently attachable to the semitrailer. Also, it provides such a system wherein such mooring means comprises a cable permanently attached to such housing and removably attachable to the semitrailer. And it provides such a system wherein such contour means comprises a protective portion extending upward from such bottom surface of such housing for a distance of about ¾ inch. It also provides such a system wherein such hasp means comprises at least one hasp; and, further, wherein such housing is substantially round and comprises a side surface having a larger diameter adjacent such back surface than adjacent such front surface.
Yet further still, this invention provides for such a system wherein such housing comprises a side surface having a tumbler access opening. And it provides for such a system further comprising a receiving means for receiving a lockable flat seal of the type having an elongated body; and, wherein such receiving means comprises: a seal aperture structured an
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Stoneman Martin L.
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