Drum security system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6176111
  • Patent Number
    6,176,111
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, September 1, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 23, 2001
    24 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Barrett; Suzanne Dino
    Agents
    • Breaux; Joseph N.
Abstract
A drum security system that includes a drum top and plug assemblies which are inserted and locked in connection with the threaded access openings of the drum top of the system which is secured to a drum to seal the access openings and prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the drum.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




The present invention relates to storage drums and more particularly to a drum security system that includes a drum top having two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on enters a predetermined access opening gap distance; and two identical drum plug assemblies; each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one both of the two threaded drum access apertures of the drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of the threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; the drum plug assembly measuring one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of the drum top of the threaded drum sealing plug and the locking plate.




BACKGROUND ART




It is often necessary to prevent access to chemicals and the like stored in a storage drum. The drums are typically provided with a drum top having two threaded access opening and two screw in plugs. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a drum security system that included plug assemblies which could be inserted and locked within the threaded access openings of a drum top to seal the access openings and prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the drum.




GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION




It is thus an object of the invention to provide a drum security system that includes a drum top having two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance; and two identical drum plug assemblies; each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one of the two threaded drum access apertures of the drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of the threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; the drum plug assembly measuring one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of the drum top of the threaded drum sealing plug and the locking plate.




Accordingly, a drum security system is provided. The drum security system includes a drum top having two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance; and two identical drum plug assemblies; each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one of the two threaded drum access apertures of the drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of the threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; the drum plug assembly measuring one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of the drum top of the threaded drum sealing plug and the locking plate.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS




For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:





FIG. 1

is a partial perspective view of an exemplary drum top of the drum security system of the present invention showing the two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of two identical exemplary embodiments of the drum plug assemblies of the drum security system of the present invention, each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one of the two threaded drum access apertures of the drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of the threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; the drum plug assembly measuring one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of the drum top of the threaded drum sealing plug and the locking plate.





FIG. 3

is an exploded perspective view of one of the drum plug assemblies of

FIG. 3

in isolation.





FIG. 4

is a partial perspective view showing the drum top mounted on a drum container, each of the two spaced threaded drum access openings sealed with one of the two identical drum plug assemblies, and the locking plates of the two identical drum plug assemblies locked together by the bolt of a padlock positioned through the two lock bolt receiving apertures thereof.











EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION





FIG. 1

shows an exemplary drum top of the drum security system of the present invention, generally designated


10


, secured to a representative drum container


12


. Drum top


10


includes two spaced threaded drum access openings


14


spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance “A”. In this embodiment drum top


10


is a convention drum top and is supplied with drum


12


.




Referring to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the drum security system of the present invention also includes two identical drum plug assemblies, each generally designated


18


. Each drum plug assembly


18


includes a threaded drum sealing plug


20


threaded for engaging and sealing one of the two threaded drum access apertures


14


of drum top


10


(FIG.


1


), and a locking bar assembly, generally designated


20


, rigidly secured at one bar end


22


to a top


24


of threaded drum sealing plug


20


and having a locking plate


26


with a lock bolt receiving aperture


28


provided at a second bar


30


end thereof. Drum plug assembly


18


measures a distance “B” equal to one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance “A” (

FIG. 1

) between a center point


36


of drum top


24


of threaded drum sealing plug


20


and locking plate


26


.




Referring generally to FIGS.


1


-


4


, in use drum top


10


is mounted on or provided with a drum container


12


, each of the two spaced threaded drum access openings


14


are then sealed with one of the two identical drum plug assemblies


18


by screwing in a threaded drum sealing plug


20


. The drum plug assemblies


18


are then secured in place sealing the threaded drum access openings


14


by securing the two locking plates


26


of the two identical drum plug assemblies


18


together with the bolt


40


of a padlock


42


positioned through the two lock bolt receiving apertures


28


.




It can be seen from the preceding description that a drum security system has been provided that includes a drum top having two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance; and two identical drum plug assemblies; each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one of the two threaded drum access apertures of the drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of the threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; the drum plug assembly measuring one half of the predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of the drum top of the threaded drum sealing plug and the locking plate.




It is noted that the embodiment of the drum security system described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A drum security system comprising:a drum top having two spaced threaded drum access openings spaced apart on centers a predetermined access opening gap distance; and two identical drum plug assemblies; each drum plug assembly including a threaded drum sealing plug threaded for engaging and sealing one of said two threaded drum access apertures of said drum top, a locking bar assembly rigidly secured at one bar end to a top of said threaded drum sealing plug and having a locking plate with a lock bolt receiving aperture provided at a second bar end thereof; each said drum plug assembly being of a length equal to one half of said predetermined access opening gap distance between a center point of said drum top of said threaded drum sealing plug and said locking plate.
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3752254 Carley et al. Aug 1973
3826115 Davis Jul 1974
4426863 Gillette et al. Jan 1984
4655060 Jakubas Apr 1987
4788840 Wilson, Jr. Dec 1988
4959980 Phillips Oct 1990
5199286 Jakubas Apr 1993
5267688 Benefield Dec 1993
5596892 Edgar et al. Jan 1997
5826447 Campbell Oct 1998