Patent Application
20230296199
The invention generally pertains to locks that are placed on a hose bib or faucet, and more particularly to a hose bib lock with keyless removal function that can secure a hose bib from un-authorized use and that can be quickly and easily removed from a hose bib without the use of the lock's key.
Many buildings, both commercial and residential have outside water faucets. It is also common for there to be interior water faucets in locations that are not secure, i.e., can be easily accessed. A problem exists in that the entire faucet, including water on/off knob and the spigot/bib, is completely exposed. This has led to un-authorized people utilizing the faucet to acquire/use water. When there are multiple people using a faucet (or several faucets) the cost can be significant.
As a result, there are specialized locks that are designed to fit onto/over a faucet spigot/bib to secure the faucet from un-authorized use. Typically, a lock will comprise a housing that screws onto the existing spigot/bob threads. An actual lock within the housing will then maintain the housing securely on the spigot/bib. In order to remove the housing, a key can be inserted which interface with and releases the lock, thereby allowing the housing to be removed from the spigot/bib. As far as functionality, these locks are effective at preventing un-authorized use of a faucet.
As long as the key is readily available a faucet or hose bib lock can be used without a problem. Unfortunately, there are instances when it is extremely necessary to access/use a particular faucet/hose bib with a lock, and the key cannot be located, or the person who has the key is not present. Examples of these instances include a simple case of a gardener or workman requiring water, or, the more serious case of a small fire occurring and having the use of water from a faucet could stop a small fire from become a larger fire.
What is needed is a means by which a faucet lock can be used as intended, but also have the ability to be removed in the event of an emergency or other situation when the key is not available. This ability would also be useful for when a key is simply lost.
Optimally, a faucet/hose bib lock release means would allow a lock to function with no interference. This could be accomplished by adding release functionally that is unobtrusive and can be quickly and easily used without the need for any special tools or devices. The inclusion of emergency (or non-emergency) lock release capability to a faucet lock would provide a safer lock and could potentially save lives and/or property.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,014 patent discloses a cap that is placed over the pout of a faucet and forms a watertight connection therebetween. Located through the cap is a hole through which a padlock is located. The exterior threaded connection on the spout prevents disengagement of the cap from the faucet. With the cap installed on the spout of the faucet, flow of water through the faucet is prevented.
The U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,404 patent discloses a security device for engaging a threaded element that includes an inner body that engages the threaded element and an outer body coupled to the inner body. A lock engages the outer body which moves with the inner body when the lock is extended and freely rotates relative to the inner body when the lock is retracted.
The 2009/0025799 publication discloses a locking device fort securing a standard hose bib faucet. The device consists of two interlocking pieces of metal that wrap around a faucet in clamshell fashion. Once affixed, a person can then attach a lock to secure the device. The device prevents unauthorized access to the faucet. Because the device also wraps around the connector between the hose and the faucet, theft of an attached hose is only possible by cutting the hose.
For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.
A hose bib lock with keyless removal function (HBLKRF) that is placed on a hose bib to prevent an unauthorized person from using the hose bib to release water.
The HBLKRF is comprised of three major elements: an outer member, an inner member and a main body into which a lock is inserted. Additionally, the HBLKRF can also include a gasket between the hose bib and the inner member. The gasket prevents particulates and liquid from escaping/exiting the hose bib even when the hose bib is operated. The lock is operated by a key that is inserted into a key interface. The HBLKRF is designed to be free spinning when in place on a hose bib, and when secured onto a hose bib, the HBLKRF provides a block that prevents water from exiting the hose bib.
The HBLKRF is an improvement over previous similar locks/security devices. The inventive improvement is the keyless removal which allows the HBLKRF to be quickly and easily removed from a hose bib without the requirement/use of a key. This is accomplished by the use of a removal rod that is within a bore on the main body. From the bore the removal rod can be pushed into the inner member where the rod functions to operate the HBLKRF, which allows the HBLKRF to be removed from the hose bib. The HBLKRF is preferably cylindrical and made of metal, although other shapes and materials can also be utilized.
The HBLKRF is beneficial when a key is lost or otherwise unavailable, and is particularly needed in an emergency situation when a key is not available and access to water from a hose bib is immediately required. In addition to being used to secure a hose bib, the HBLKRF can be used on many other items that have a threaded element.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a hose bib lock with keyless removal function that can be secured onto a hose bib to prevent the unauthorized access to water from the hose bib and can be quickly and easily removed form a hose bib without requiring the use of a key.
In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a hose bib lock with keyless removal function that:
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a hose bib lock with keyless removal function (HBLKRF 10). Note: this patent application should be viewed as an improvement upon the applicant's previously issued U.S. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,404B2). The improvement consists of the keyless removal function which, as the name implies, allows the lock to be removed from a hose bib or other threaded element, without being obvious and not requiring the use of a key. This keyless removal significantly increases and improves the functionality of the previous lock which required a key for removal or dismembering the faucet lock from the hose bid or other threaded element.
The HBLKRF 10, as shown in
The outer member 12, as shown in
The main body 50, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Both the outer member 12 and the inner member 26 are maintained together with the main body 50. When the HBLKRF 10 is placed on a hose bib 90 in a secured configuration, the lock 70, by means of the engagement member 74, is in an unsecured configuration. The lock 70 engagement member 72 is in an outward extended position, with the engagement member 72 extending from a side of the lock 70 through the outer body 12 and then engaging the inner body 26. In the unsecured configuration, the outer member 12, as a result of the extended engagement member 72 engaging, also causes rotation of the inner body 26. In the secure configuration, the engagement member 72 is retracted inside the lock 70 and out of engagement with the inner member 26. Therefore, the outer member 12 can rotate freely relative to the inner member 26, but rotation of the outer member 12 will not cause the inner member 26 to rotate. To prevent access to the inner member 26 when the HBLKRF 10 is in the secure configuration, the main body 50 is freely rotatably mounted to the inner member 26. The main body 50 can rotate relative to the inner member 26, whether the lock 70 is in the extended position or the retracted position.
The HBLKRF 10 prevents unauthorized use of a hose bib 90 by preventing water from exiting the hose bib 90. To lock a hose bib 90 with the HBLKRF 10, a person will place the HBLKRF 10 on a hose bib 90 in the unsecured configuration. The HBLKRF 10 is then screwed onto the hose bib 90 by having the inner member threaded inner surface 28 interface with a threaded section of the hose bib 90.
There is no requirement that the engagement member 72 be aligned prior to actuation of the lock 70 because the HBLKRF 10 automatically aligns itself. Once the engagement member 72 has been actuated by the key 80 to the extended position, a person only needs to rotate the outer member 12 relative to the inner member 26 and the engagement member 72 will automatically engage.
Once the inner member 26 is connected to the hose bib 90 the HBLKRF 10 is not necessarily in the secured configuration. When the lock 70 is in the unsecured configuration the engagement member 72 extends outward from the lock 70 to engage the inner body 26. Any rotation of the outer body 12 causes rotation of the inner body 26, allowing the HBLKRF 10 to be unsecured from the hose bib 90. To place the HBLKRF 10 in the secured configuration, a person can turn the key 80 so that the engagement member 72 retracts inside the lock 70. The outer member 12 can then rotate relative to the inner body 26 if an unauthorized user attempts to remove the HBLKRF 10 by simply unscrewing the HBLKRF 10 from the hose bib. When this occurs, both the outer member 12 and the main body 50 freely spin relative to the inner member 26. Therefore, the rotation of the outer member 12 and/or the main body 50 will not cause the inner member 26 to rotate relative to the hose bib 90 which would not allow the HBLKRF 10 to be unscrewed from the hose bib 90.
When the HBLKRF10 is placed on a hose bib 90 in the secured configuration, any attempt by an unauthorized person to operate the hose bib 90 will cause the rotation of the outer member 12 and the main body 50 about the hose bib 90, therefore preventing water from exiting the hose bib 90.
The inventive improvement of the HBLKRF 10 over the previous lock/security device, is the ability to use the removal rod 84, as shown in
While the operation of the keyless removal may seem simple, the ability significantly improves the functionality of the HBLKRF10. The ability to remove the HBLKRF 10 without a key also improves safety. For example, if a small fire occurs and water is needed to extinguish the fire. If there is a hose bib in the vicinity with a lock/securely device on it, as long as the key is readily available there is no problem. But if the key is lost or otherwise not available, the ability to quickly and easily remove the HBLKRF 10 can result in a small fire not being extinguished, or potentially a small fire turning into a large conflagration.
In order to hide and protect the removal rod bore 66, the cover 88, as shown in
In should be noted that while the HBLKRF 10 is primarily designed to be used on a conventional hose bib 90, the HBLKRF 10 can be attached to any type of apparatus, device, assembly or other structure with a threaded element. For example, the HBLKRF 10 can be attached onto a beverage container, a chemical container, or residential/commercial piping. Also, the removal rod 84 can be any shape/size as long as the bore 66 is dimensioned to accept the rod 84.
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.
