Patent Application
20230313578
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein relate to devices that protect hasp locking mechanisms (e.g., to doors or gates) from tampering or unauthorized use.
Global and regional supply chains include a network of routes that extend between destinations. Various types of vehicles (e.g., ships, trains, trucks, or the like) carry cargo between the destinations of the network. The cargo is typically loaded into and carried within secured compartments, such as an intermodal container. The compartments may be accessed through movable barriers (e.g., doors or panels) that are typically located at an end of the compartment or along a side of the compartment. At various points along the network, the compartments may be opened for inspection or to remove or add cargo. Opening the movable barriers may include swinging the barriers about a hinge, sliding the barriers alongside a wall of the compartment, or separating the barrier entirely from the compartment.
Compartments can be vulnerable to unauthorized access as the compartments travel through the network. For example, intermodal containers that are awaiting to be inspected or awaiting to be loaded/unloaded may be queued in line with other intermodal containers. While waiting, unauthorized individuals may attempt to open the containers and remove at least some of the cargo. To reduce theft or possible tampering, the movable barriers are secured using a locking mechanism.
Hasp locking mechanisms may include two parts that are secured to each other by a seal. For example, a movable hasp may be secured to a fixed staple using a bolt-seal. If the seal is broken before the compartment arrives at its final destination, one can assume at least an attempt was made to open the compartment without authorization. In addition to revealing any suspected trespass, the seals may provide other information, such as a direction of travel of the vehicle, a destination where the compartment was loaded, a final destination of the cargo, or an identification number that identifies the compartment. For example, the seals may be color-coded or include an alphanumeric textual string. To quickly ascertain whether the seal has been broken and/or to quickly identify information represented by the seal, the seals should be at least partially visible to inspectors.
However, for at least one known hasp locking mechanism, thieves have been able to remove the seal without visibly damaging the seal. After accessing the compartment, the hasp locking mechanism and the seal are returned to their original positions and appear to be undamaged. Accordingly, a person inspecting the seals to confirm that the seals are unbroken may not realize that a compartment has been accessed without authorization at some point within the network.
At least some known hasp protector assemblies surround the hasp locking mechanism such that the seal is not readily visible. While providing adequate protection of the hasp locking mechanism, an individual must manually move components of the protector assemblies to view the seal, thereby adding significant time to the inspection process. Accordingly, there is a need for a hasp protector assembly that prevents surreptitious tampering of a seal but that also allows the seal to be readily viewed.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a hasp protector assembly is provided that can include a guard frame extending from a rotatable end to an opposite fastening end. The rotatable end can be configured to be pivotally or rotationally coupled with a door. The door may be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal that may be coupled with a hasp of the door. The hasp protector assembly can also include an anchor bracket that can be configured for coupling with the door in a position where the fastening end of the guard frame can be secured to the anchor bracket by a fastener. The guard frame can be configured to be pivoted or rotated about or around the rotatable end of the guard frame to a protective position. The fastening end of the guard frame can be secured to the anchor bracket by the fastener. The seal and the hasp can be disposed between the guard frame and the door, and the seal and the hasp can be visible from opposite sides of the guard frame while the guard frame is in the protective position.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a hasp protector assembly is provided that can include a rigid elongated body extending from a rotatable end to an opposite fastening end. The rigid elongated body can be configured to rotate or pivot about the rotatable end relative to a door that can be configured to be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal coupled with a hasp of the door. The hasp protector assembly can also include an anchor bracket that can be configured to be coupled with the door. The rigid elongated body may be configured to rotate or pivot about the rotatable end to bring the fastening end into contact with the anchor bracket. The fastening end may be configured to be secured to the anchor bracket by one or more fasteners. The seal and the hasp may be disposed between the rigid elongated body and the door, and the seal and the hasp may be visible from opposite sides of the rigid elongated body while the fastening end of the rigid elongated body is coupled with the anchor bracket.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a method is provided that can include pivotally or rotationally coupling a rotatable end of a guard frame to a door that can be configured to be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal coupled with a hasp of the door. The method may also include coupling an anchor bracket to the door in a position where a fastening end of the guard frame that can be opposite the rotatable end can be secured to the anchor bracket by a fastener. The guard frame may be configured to be pivoted or rotated about or around the rotatable end of the guard frame to a protective position. The fastening end of the guard frame can be secured to the anchor bracket by the fastener. The seal and the hasp may be disposed between the guard frame and the door, and the seal and the hasp may be visible from opposite sides of the guard frame while the guard frame is, for example, in the protective position.
The inventive subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to hasp protector assemblies and method of using and assembling the same. The hasp protector assemblies may be secured using a seal (e.g., bolt seal). The seal may be designed to provide some information when viewed by an inspector. For example, the seal may have one or more designated colors, alphanumeric texts, or the like that provide the inspector with desired information. Such information may include, for example, the contents of a container or a direction of travel for container (or vehicle carrying the container).
The hasp protector assemblies may resist tampering without obstructing or blocking the seal from view. To this end, the hasp protector assembly may include a rigid guard frame (e.g., shaped metal strip or band) that blocks desired access to the seal. In other guard frame may function as a fence or a shield that only partially surrounds the hasp locking mechanism and seal. For example, the guard frame may block a drill bit from reaching a desired orientation so that a drill cannot drill through the seal or hasp locking mechanism. Moreover, the guard frame may limit space immediately around the seal so that tools may not sufficiently grip the seal for breaking or loosening the seal. Accordingly, the guard frame may function as a fence or wall that prevents some ways of approaching or engaging with the seal and the hasp locking mechanism but still allows the seal to be viewed without removing the guard frame.
For some embodiments, the hasp protector assembly may be assembled with legacy containers that are currently being used in the field. As such, it may not be necessary to replace the containers or even replace the container doors. Instead, the hasp protector assembly may be provided by coupling a guard frame and an anchor (e.g., bracket or plate) to the door at designated positions relative to the hasp locking mechanism.
While one or more embodiments are described in connection with an intermodal container disposed on a rail vehicle system, not all embodiments are limited as such. Unless expressly disclaimed or stated otherwise, the inventive subject matter described herein extends to other types of movable barriers that may be locked. For example, the movable barriers may be doors that slide open or swing open or panels that are removed entirely (e.g., from a wall). The movable barriers may be doors or gates within ships or submarines or within buildings. For embodiments that include shipping containers (e.g., intermodal containers), the containers may be transported on various vehicle systems, such as automobiles, trucks (with or without trailers), buses, marine vessels, aircraft, mining vehicles, agricultural vehicles, or other off-highway vehicles. The vehicle systems described herein (rail vehicle systems or other vehicle systems that do not travel on rails or tracks) can be formed from a single vehicle or multiple vehicles.
For the embodiment illustrated in
The guard frame includes an elongated body 108 that extends between a first arm 106 of the first frame end and a second arm 107 of the second frame end. The first and second arms are transversely oriented with respect to the elongated body. The guard frame includes a first curve 110 and a second curve 112. The elongated body extends between the first and second curves of the guard frame. The first arm is defined between a distal edge 111 of the first arm and the first curve. The second arm is defined between a distal edge 113 of the second arm and the second curve. As shown, the second arm also includes a third curve 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the various segments of the guard frame render the guard frame U-shaped or C-shaped. It should be understood that the guard frame may have other shapes. Moreover, one or more of the segments may have a non-linear shape. For example, the elongated body may have a semi-circular shape.
In other embodiments, the guard frame may include multiple elongated bodies or segments. For example, two elongated segments may be joined by another curve (not shown). Moreover, the arms may include curved portions so that the guard frame may be secured to the movable barrier.
The receiving space is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a locking mechanism and a corresponding seal. The receiving space has a length 120 that is measured between the first and second arms or frame ends, a width 122 that is measured between opposite frame edges 124, 126 of the guard frame, and a depth 128 that is measured between an interior side 129 of the guard frame and a surface of the movable barrier (not shown). The frame edges that define the width of the guard frame may also define respective side windows 125 through which a seal (not shown) may be viewed.
The hasp protector assembly may also include an anchor bracket 130. The anchor bracket may be secured to the movable barrier in a fixed position using, for example, hardware 134. Alternatively, the anchor bracket may be welded to the movable barrier or be an integral portion of the movable barrier. As shown, the first frame end of the guard frame may be secured to the anchor bracket by a fastener 132. The guard frame may be configured to be pivoted or rotated about or around the second frame end (or rotatable end) of the guard frame between an open position and a protective position. In the protective position, the anchor bracket and the first frame end may be secured to one another using the fastener. In the open position, an individual may have more usable space for interacting with the hasp locking mechanism and the seal.
As shown, a hasp locking mechanism 242 and a seal 244 are disposed between the guard frame of the hasp protector assembly and a surface 241 of the movable barrier. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism are visible from a side window 227 defined by a frame edge 226 of the guard frame while the guard frame is in the protective position. The seal and hasp locking mechanism may also be visible from an opposite side window.
An interior side 229 of the guard frame and the surface of the movable barrier define a receiving space 215 therebetween. The receiving space has a length 220 that is measured between the first frame end and a second frame end and parallel to the surface of the movable barrier. The receiving space also has a depth 228 that is measured between the interior side of the guard frame and the movable barrier.
The hasp locking mechanism disposed within the receiving space includes a first hasp component 250 and a second hasp component 252. The first hasp component is movable and the second hasp component is secured to the movable barrier. The first and second hasp components define a slot 260 therebetween that may receive a latch, lever, bar, or other component. The first hasp component is coupled to the movable barrier using hardware 254 (e.g., bolt) that permits the first hasp component to rotate about a hasp axis 256. Optionally, the first hasp component may have a slot (not shown) through which the hardware extends that permits the hasp to slide (e.g., vertically) along a barrier axis 258. The second hasp component may be affixed to the movable barrier using hardware or by welding. Although
The seal includes a head 262 and a body 264 that are secured to one another. To secure the hasp locking mechanism, the body is inserted through a passage 266 of the first hasp component and a passage 268 of the second hasp component. The head is then secured to the body. Accordingly, the seal prevents the first hasp component from inadvertently moving away from the second hasp component. The seal may be certified for high security according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17712 and compliant with Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). In certain embodiments, the head and body of the seal are permanently secured to one another such that the seal must be broken to open the hasp locking mechanism. In other embodiments, the head and body of the seal may be removably coupled to one another such that the head and body may be separated without sustaining damage.
The seal extends lengthwise along a central axis 245 of the seal between two opposite first and second arms 206, 207 of the guard frame. When the hasp locking mechanism is locked and the guard frame is secured in the protective position, as shown in
The receiving space is a function of the width of the guard frame along with other dimensions and the shape of the guard frame. The receiving space may be sized and shaped to receive a hasp locking mechanism 342 and a seal 344 (represented by phantom lines) that are disposed within the receiving space behind the guard frame. The seal includes a head 362 and a body 364 coupled to one another. In particular embodiments, the width of the guard frame permits the receiving space to include an entirety of the hasp locking mechanism and the seal. In other embodiments, however, a portion of the hasp locking mechanism and/or the seal may clear the window planes such that the receiving space does not include an entirety of the hasp locking mechanism and the seal. Nevertheless, the frame edges and the movable barrier may block a tool from entering the receiving space.
As shown by comparing the guard frames of
As shown in
Optionally, the hardware may include anti-theft features. The hardware may include a bolt or screw having a custom-designed head profile and/or drive hole. For example, the fastener may include a bolt or screw having a head with a custom-designed drive hole. The drive hole may have a unique design that receives a complementarily designed bit.
The hasp protector assembly has an axis of rotation 574 that extends parallel to a surface 541 of a movable barrier 540. As shown in
The guard frame includes a fastening end 502 having a frame extension 582. The frame extension includes a thru-hole 583. The hasp protector assembly also includes an anchor 584 that is secured to the movable barrier and has a thru-hole 585. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor is a plate that secured to the movable barrier. In other embodiments, the anchor may be a bracket or other component or may be an integral part of the movable barrier. As the guard frame is rotated toward the protective position, an interior side 529 of the guard frame approaches the hasp locking mechanism. When the guard frame nearly reaches the protective position, the hasp locking mechanism advances into a receiving space 515 defined by the guard frame. The thru-holes of the frame extension and the anchor align with one another when the guard frame is in the protective position.
When the thru-holes are aligned, a bolt may be inserted therethrough and engage a nut to secure the frame extension and the movable barrier to one another. Although certain embodiments may utilize a nut and a bolt, other embodiments may use different hardware or different methods for securing the guard frame in the protective position.
Accordingly,
For embodiments in which the guard frame rotates about an axis that extends parallel to the movable barrier, the guard frame rotates toward and away from the movable barrier. The interior side of the guard frame faces the hasp locking mechanism and the seal when the guard frame nearly reaches the protective position. Optionally, an exterior side of the guard frame may face the movable barrier when the guard frame is in a fully opened position. In the fully opened position, the underside may face away from the movable barrier.
In alternative embodiments, the guard frame may be coupled to the movable barrier at each of the first and second ends of the guard frame for the open position and the protective position and while transitioning between the two positions. For example, each of the first and second ends may be coupled to the movable barrier through a respective hinge. The guard frame may be swingable about the hinges. In the protective position, the guard frame may be oriented transverse to the movable barrier (e.g., similar to
For some container configurations, the door may be partially positioned behind a wall 694 of the container. A gap 696 exists between the wall and the door. In some embodiments, the hasp protector assembly and the gap are configured relative to one another such that the hasp protector assembly may fit between the door and the wall without damaging the hasp protector assembly, the door, or the wall. In other embodiments, the hasp protector assembly may not be able to fit behind the wall. For such embodiments, the guard frame may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the wall when the door is held open for loading or unloading. A width of the guard frame may permit a latching mechanism (not shown) for holding the door open.
Optionally, the method may include replacing or repairing, at step 702, at least one of a hasp locking mechanism or a seal. For example, if the hasp locking mechanism was damaged in a recent attempt to break into a container, it may be necessary to first replace the entire hasp locking mechanism or only a portion of the hasp locking mechanism (e.g., a hinge component). After the replacing or repairing, the method may include determining locations or coupling points, at step 704, at which the hasp protector assembly should be attached to the movable barrier. For example, in some embodiments, the hasp locking mechanism will be located directly between an anchor and a rotatable end of the guard frame. Determining a location of such coupling points may include measuring a separation distance between the coupling points and/or a distance with respect to the hasp locking mechanism. In some cases, there may be insufficient space or area along the movable barrier for mounting the hasp protector assembly relative to the current position of the hasp locking mechanism. As such, it may be necessary to move the hasp locking mechanism. Accordingly, the method may include determining whether viable coupling points along the movable barrier exists for securing the hasp protector assembly.
At step 706, the method includes coupling a rotatable end of the guard frame to a movable barrier (e.g., door) at one of the determined coupling points. More specifically, the rotatable end of the guard frame may be pivotally or rotationally coupled to the movable barrier on one side or end of the hasp locking mechanism. The rotatable end may be capable of rotating about an axis that extends transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the movable barrier or an axis that extends parallel to the movable barrier.
The method also includes coupling, at step 708, an anchor (e.g., bracket, plate, or the like) to the movable barrier. The anchor and the rotatable end of the guard frame may be coupled to the movable barrier at predetermined positions relative to one another. More specifically, after the rotatable end is coupled to the door, the guard frame has limited motion. For example, a fastening end of the guard frame may only move through a circular path about the rotatable end. As such, the anchor may be positioned along the circular path and located such that the hasp locking mechanism will be covered by the guard frame when the fastening end is attached to the anchor. As described above, for some embodiments, the anchor and the rotatable end may be located on opposite ends of the hasp locking mechanism.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a hasp protector assembly is provided that includes a guard frame extending from a rotatable end to an opposite fastening end. The rotatable end is configured to be pivotally or rotationally coupled with a door that is configured to be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal that is coupled with a hasp locking mechanism of the door. The hasp protector assembly also includes an anchor bracket configured to be coupled with the door in a position where the fastening end of the guard frame can be secured to the anchor bracket. The guard frame is configured to be pivoted or rotated about or around the rotatable end of the guard frame to a protective position. The fastening end of the guard frame is secured to the anchor bracket by the fastener. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism are disposed between the guard frame and the door. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism are visible from opposite sides of the guard frame while the guard frame is in the protective position.
The guard frame may be generally U-shaped from the rotatable end to the fastening end. The guard frame may have an elongated body connected with the rotatable end and the fastening end by transversely oriented arms. The elongated body of the guard frame may have a width that permits visibility of the seal from the opposite sides of the guard frame. The guard frame may be open along directions that extend from one of the opposite sides to another of the opposite sides. The rotatable end of the guard frame may rotate around or about an axis transversely oriented with respect to a surface of the door that faces and is connected with the guard frame and the anchor bracket.
The guard frame may rotate around or about the rotatable end from the protective position, where the seal and the hasp locking mechanism may be disposed between the guard frame and the door, to an open position, where the guard frame is below the seal and the hasp locking mechanism. In the open position, the seal and the hasp locking mechanism may not be between the guard frame and the door.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a hasp protector assembly is provided that includes a rigid elongated body extending from a rotatable end to an opposite fastening end. The rigid elongated body may rotate or pivot about the rotatable end relative to a door that is configured to be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal coupled with a hasp locking mechanism of the door. The hasp protector assembly also includes an anchor bracket that may be coupled with the door. The rigid elongated body may rotate or pivot about the rotatable end to bring the fastening end into contact with the anchor bracket. The fastening end may be secured to the anchor bracket by one or more fasteners. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism may be disposed between the rigid elongated body and the door. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism may be visible from opposite sides of the rigid elongated body while the fastening end of the rigid elongated body is coupled with the anchor bracket.
The rigid elongated body may be generally U-shaped from the rotatable end to the fastening end. The rigid elongated body may be connected with the rotatable end and the fastening end by transversely oriented arms. The rigid elongated body may have a width that permits visibility of the seal from the opposite sides of the rigid elongated body. The rigid elongated body may be open along directions that extend from one of the opposite sides to another of the opposite sides. The rotatable end of the rigid elongated body may rotate around or about an axis transversely oriented with respect to a surface of the door that faces and is connected with the rigid elongated body and the anchor bracket.
The rigid elongated body may rotate around or about the rotatable end from a first position, where the seal and the hasp locking mechanism are disposed between the guard frame and the door, to a different, second position where the rigid elongated body is below the seal and the hasp locking mechanism. In the second position, the seal and the hasp locking mechanism are not between the rigid elongated body and the door.
In accordance with one example or aspect, a method is provided that includes pivotally or rotationally coupling a rotatable end of a guard frame to a door that is configured to be secured in a closed, locked state with a seal coupled with a hasp locking mechanism of the door. The method also includes coupling an anchor bracket to the door in a position where a fastening end of the guard frame that is opposite the rotatable end can be secured to the anchor bracket by a fastener. The guard frame may pivot or rotate about or around the rotatable end of the guard frame to a protective position. The fastening end of the guard frame may be secured to the anchor bracket by the fastener. The seal and the hasp locking mechanism may be disposed between the guard frame and the door, and the seal and the hasp locking mechanism may be visible from opposite sides of the guard frame while the guard frame is in the protective position.
The rotatable end of the guard frame may be pivotally or rotationally coupled to the door and the anchor bracket is coupled with the door such that the seal is accessible from the opposite sides of the guard frame. The rotatable end of the guard frame may be pivotally or rotationally coupled to the door such that the guard frame rotate around or about an axis transversely oriented with respect to a surface of the door that faces and is connected with the guard frame and the anchor bracket.
The rotatable end of the guard frame may be pivotally or rotationally coupled to the door such that the guard frame rotates around or about the rotatable end from the protective position where the seal and the hasp locking mechanism are disposed between the guard frame and the door to an open position where the guard frame is below the seal and the hasp locking mechanism. In the open position, the seal and the hasp locking mechanism are not between the guard frame and the door.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” do not exclude the plural of said elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the invention do not exclude the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “comprises,” “including,” “includes,” “having,” or “has” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and do not impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function devoid of further structure.
The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the inventive subject matter without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein define the parameters of the inventive subject matter, they are exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventive subject matter should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the inventive subject matter, including the best mode, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of inventive subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
A reference herein to a patent document or any other matter identified as prior art, is not to be taken as an admission that the document or other matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/314,515, filed on 28-February-2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63314515 | Feb 2022 | US |
