Supplemental Locking Device for a Cargo Caontainer

Abstract

A supplemental locking device particularly suited for use on a cargo container. The device consists of a three-sided channel, made of heavy-gauge steel that fits over the locking mechanism of a cargo container capable of being slipped over this locking system with the aid of oval cut slots on the sides that accommodate any horizontal members.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a supplemental locking device particularly suited for use on a cargo container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Intermodal containers are used for the intermodal transport of freight. These standardized cargo containers, also known as “Conex” containers, are suitable for multiple transportation methods such as truck, rail, or ship. They also spend a great deal of time stationary such as at a shipping facility or when sitting at a destination being loaded or unloaded. During such times when not in active use, these containers are typically secured and locked with a padlock.

While the locking mechanism is generally robust, the weak link remains the padlock which can be broken or cut in minimal time. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which security for cargo containers can be increased to reduce the occurrence of unauthorized access. The use of a supplemental locking device for a cargo container provides for increased physical protection of cargo containers in a manner which is not only quick, easy and effective, but safe and secure as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for an a supplemental locking device having a bottom wall surface, a top wall surface, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a plurality of side wall notches disposed along the first side wall, the side wall notches extend downward, a plurality of first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first side wall, a plurality of second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second side wall, the first side wall slots and the second side wall slots are aligned with each other, a plurality of upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the bottom wall surface, the upright members extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, an aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the upright members, and at least one handle affixed to the top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

The side wall notches may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The side wall notches may be coextensive with the height of the first side wall. The side wall notches may be shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container. The first side wall slots and the second side wall slots may have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate the bar of the door of the cargo container. The first side wall slots may extend downward and forward. The second side wall slots may extend downward and forward.

A first alternate supplemental locking device has a first alternate bottom wall surface, a first alternate top wall surface, a first alternate first end wall, a first alternate second end wall opposite the first alternate first end wall, a first alternate first side wall, and a first alternate second side wall opposite the first alternate first side wall, a plurality of first alternate side wall notches disposed along the first alternate first side wall, the first alternate side wall notches extend downward, a plurality of first alternate first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first alternate first side wall, the first alternate first side wall slots extend downward and forward, a plurality of first alternate second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first alternate second side wall, the first alternate second side wall slots extend downward and forward, a plurality of first alternate upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the first alternate bottom wall surface and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the first alternate first end wall, the first alternate second end wall, the first alternate first side wall, and the first alternate second side wall, a first alternate aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the first alternate upright member, and at least one first alternate handle affixed to the first alternate top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the first alternate supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

The first alternate side wall notches may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The first alternate side wall notches may be coextensive with the first alternate first side wall. The first alternate side wall notches may be shaped to accommodate a bar of a rear door of a vehicle. The first alternate first side wall slots and the first alternate second side wall slots may be aligned with each other. The first alternate first side wall slots and the first alternate second side wall slots may have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container. A second alternate supplemental locking device has a second alternate bottom wall surface, a second alternate top wall surface, a second alternate first end wall, a second alternate second end wall opposite the second alternate first end wall, a second alternate first side wall, and a second alternate second side wall opposite the second alternate first side wall, a plurality of second alternate side wall notches disposed along the second alternate first side wall, the second alternate side wall notches extend downward, a plurality of second alternate first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second alternate first side wall, the second alternate first side wall slots extend downward and forward, a plurality of second alternate second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second alternate second side wall, the second alternate second side wall slots extend downward and forward, a plurality of second alternate upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the second alternate bottom wall surface and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the second alternate first end wall, the second alternate second end wall, the second alternate first side wall, and the second alternate second side wall, a second alternate aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the second alternate upright members, and at least one second alternate handle affixed to the second alternate top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the second alternate supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

The second alternate side wall notches may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The second alternate side wall notches may be coextensive with the height of the second alternate first side wall. The second alternate side wall notches may be shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container. The second alternate first side wall slots and the second alternate second side wall slots may have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate the bar of the door of the cargo container. The second alternate first side wall slots and the second alternate second side wall slots may be aligned with each other. The second alternate supplemental locking device may be each fabricated out of heavy-gauge folded ten-gauge steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a supplemental locking device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the supplemental locking device, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the supplemental locking device, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a first alternate supplemental locking device, according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the first alternate supplemental locking device, according to the first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first alternate supplemental locking device, according to the first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of a second alternate supplemental locking device, according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the second alternate supplemental locking device, according to the second alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the second alternate supplemental locking device, according to the second alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an environmental view of the device installed on a cargo container.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

• • 10 supplemental locking device
  • 11 a bottom wall surface
  • 11 b top wall surface
  • 12 a first end wall
  • 12 b second end wall
  • 13 a first side wall
  • 13 b second side wall
  • 15 side wall notch
  • 20 a first side wall slot
  • 20 b second side wall slot
  • 21 upright member
  • 22 aperture
  • 30 handle
  • 40 cargo container
  • 50 door
  • 60 existing locking means
  • 70 bar
  • 100 first alternate locking device
  • 111 a first alternate bottom wall surface
  • 111 b first alternate top wall surface
  • 112 a first alternate first end wall
  • 112 b first alternate second end wall
  • 113 a first alternate first side wall
  • 113 b first alternate second side wall
  • 115 first alternate side wall notch
  • 120 a first alternate first side wall slot
  • 120 b first alternate second side wall slot
  • 121 first alternate upright member
  • 122 first alternate aperture
  • 130 first alternate handle
  • 200 second alternate locking device
  • 211 a second alternate bottom wall surface
  • 211 b second alternate top wall surface
  • 212 a second alternate first end wall
  • 212 b second alternate second end wall
  • 213 a second alternate first side wall
  • 213 b second alternate second side wall
  • 215 second alternate side wall notch
  • 220 a second alternate first side wall slot
  • 220 b second alternate second side wall slot
  • 221 second alternate upright member
  • 222 second alternate aperture
  • 230 second alternate handle

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment 10, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 3, a first alternate embodiment 100 herein depicted within FIGS. 4 through 6, and a second alternate embodiment 200 herein depicted within FIGS. 7 through 9. FIG. 10 illustrates the preferred embodiment 10 as installed on the doors 50 of a cargo container 40. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated herein a supplemental locking device 10 that is particularly suited for providing an additional locking means, in addition to an existing locking means 60, for doors 50 of a cargo container 40 that has four (4) handle locking bars 70 for closing the doors 50 thereof. This can be seen in FIG. 10. The supplemental locking device 10 is generally shaped as a three-sided channel, having a bottom wall surface 11a, a top wall surface 11b, a first end wall 12a, a second end wall 12b opposite the first end wall 12a, a first side wall 13a, and a second side wall 13b opposite the first side wall 13a. A plurality of side wall notches 15 are formed along the first side wall 13a and extend downward and may or may not be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The side wall notches 15 are coextensive with the height of the first side wall 13a. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) side wall notches 15. The side wall notches 15 are shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a door 50 of a cargo container 40.

A plurality of first side wall slots 20a are formed along the top portion of the first side wall 13a, not interfering with any of the side wall notches 15 and extend downward and forward. A plurality of second side wall slots 20b are formed along the top portion of the second side wall 13b and extend downward and forward. The first side wall slots 20a and second side wall slots 20b are aligned with each other and in the exemplary embodiment, number four (4). The plurality of first side wall slots 20a and plurality of second side wall slots 20b typically also have a laterally extending section (i.e., extending toward the first side wall 12a) shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a door 50 of a cargo container 40. A plurality of upright members 21 are formed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the bottom wall surface 11a and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to the top edges of the first end wall 12a, second end wall 12b, first side wall 13a, and second side wall 13b. Located adjacent the upper edge of each upright member 21 is an aperture 22. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) upright members 21.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a front view of the supplemental locking device 10, thereby showing the planar top wall surface 11b. At least one (1) handle 30 can be affixed to the top wall surface 11b to enable manipulating of the supplemental locking device 10 onto the door 50 of the cargo container 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated herein a first alternate supplemental locking device 100 that is particularly suited for providing an additional locking means, in addition to an existing locking means 60, to a cargo container 40 that has three (3) handle locking bars 70 for closing the doors 50 thereof. The first alternate supplemental locking device 100 is generally shaped as a three-sided channel, having a first alternate bottom wall surface 111a, a first alternate top wall surface 111b, a first alternate first end wall 112a, a first alternate second end wall 112b opposite the first alternate first end wall 112a, a first alternate first side wall 113a, and a first alternate second side wall 113b opposite the first alternate first side wall 113a. A plurality of first alternate side wall notches 115 are formed along the first alternate first side wall 113a and extend downward and may or may not be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The first alternate side wall notches 115 are coextensive with the height of the first alternate first side wall 113a. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) first alternate side wall notches 115. The first alternate side wall notches 115 are shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a rear door 50 of a vehicle 40.

A plurality of first alternate first side wall slots 120a are formed along the top portion of the first alternate first side wall 113a, not interfering with any of the first alternate side wall notches 115 and extend downward and forward. A plurality of first alternate second side wall slots 120b are formed along the top portion of the first alternate second side wall 113b and extend downward and forward. The first alternate first side wall slots 120a and first alternate second side wall slots 120b are aligned with each other and in the exemplary embodiment, number four (4). The plurality of first alternate first side wall slots 120a and plurality of first alternate second side wall slots 120b typically also have a laterally extending section (i.e., extending toward the first alternate first side wall 112a) shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a door 50 of a cargo container 40. A plurality of first alternate upright members 121 are formed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the first alternate bottom wall surface 111a and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to the top edges of the first alternate first end wall 112a, first alternate second end wall 112b, first alternate first side wall 113a, and first alternate second side wall 113b. Located adjacent the upper edge of each first alternate upright member 121 is a first alternate aperture 122. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) first alternate upright members 121.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a front view of the first alternate supplemental locking device 100, thereby showing the planar first alternate top wall surface 111b. At least one (1) first alternate handle 130 can be affixed to the first alternate top wall surface 111b to enable manipulating of the first alternate supplemental locking device 100 onto the door 50 of the cargo container 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated herein a second alternate supplemental locking device 200 that is particularly suited for providing an additional locking means, in addition to an existing locking means 60, to a cargo container 40 that has four (4) handle locking bars 70 in a different position and orientation than that suited for the supplemental locking device 10 (e.g., a cargo container 40 typically capable of loading on a tractor trailer) for closing the doors 50 thereof. The second alternate supplemental locking device 200 is generally shaped as a three-sided channel, having a second alternate bottom wall surface 211a, a second alternate top wall surface 211b, a second alternate first end wall 212a, a second alternate second end wall 212b opposite the second alternate first end wall 212a, a second alternate first side wall 213a, and a second alternate second side wall 213b opposite the second alternate first side wall 213a. A plurality of second alternate side wall notches 215 are formed along the second alternate first side wall 213a and extend downward and may or may not be equidistantly spaced apart from each other. The second alternate side wall notches 215 are coextensive with the height of the second alternate first side wall 213a. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) second alternate notches 215. The second alternate side wall notches 215 are shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a door 50 of a cargo container 40.

A plurality of second alternate first side wall slots 220a are formed along the top portion of the second alternate first side wall 213a, not interfering with any of the second alternate side wall notches 215 and extend downward and forward. A plurality of second alternate second side wall slots 220b are formed along the top portion of the second alternate second side wall 213b and extend downward and forward. The second alternate first side wall slots 220a and second alternate second side wall slots 220b are aligned with each other and in the exemplary embodiment, number four (4). The plurality of second alternate first side wall slots 220a and plurality of second alternate second side wall slots 120b typically also have a laterally extending section (i.e., extending toward the second alternate first side wall 212a) shaped to accommodate the bar 70 (or other features) of a door 50 of a cargo container 40. A plurality of second alternate upright members 221 are formed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the second alternate bottom wall surface 211a and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to the top edges of the second alternate first end wall 212a, second alternate second end wall 212b, second alternate first side wall 213a, and second alternate second side wall 213b. Located adjacent the upper edge of each second alternate upright member 221 is a second alternate aperture 222. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four (4) second alternate upright members 221.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a front view of the second alternate supplemental locking device 100, thereby showing the planar second alternate top wall surface 211b. At least one (1) second alternate handle 230 can be affixed to the second alternate top wall surface 211b to enable manipulating of the second alternate supplemental locking device 200 onto the door 50 of the cargo container 40.

The supplemental locking device 10, first alternate supplemental locking device 100, and second alternate supplemental locking device 200 are each preferably fabricated out of heavy-gauge steel (e.g., folded ten-gauge steel) that fits over the features of a closing and locking mechanism of a cargo container 40 and are intended to act as a second and more secure means to secure the cargo container 40 in addition to the existing locking means 60.

After a cargo container 40 having four (4) locking bars 710 is locked, the supplemental locking device 10 is slipped thereover particularly by positioning the first side wall slots 20a and second side wall slots 20b on the horizontal members. Then, additional padlocks are installed through the apertures 22 of the upright members 21, thus enhancing the security of the doors 50 of the cargo containers 40. The supplemental locking device 10, when installed, will completely cover the handles of the cargo container 40.

After a cargo container 40 having three (3) locking bars 70 is locked, the first alternate supplemental locking device 100 is slipped thereover particularly by positioning the first alternate first side wall slots 120a and first alternate second side wall slots 120b on the horizontal members. Then, additional padlocks are installed through the first alternate apertures 122 of the first alternate upright members 121, thus enhancing the security of the doors 50 of the cargo containers 40. The first alternate supplemental locking device 100, when installed, will completely cover the handles of the cargo container 40.

After a cargo container 40 having four (4) locking bars 70 in a different orientation than that required for the supplemental locking device 10 is locked, the second alternate supplemental locking device 200 is slipped thereover particularly by positioning the second alternate first side wall slots 220a and second alternate second side wall slots 220b on the horizontal members. Then, additional padlocks are installed through the second alternate apertures 222 of the second alternate upright members 221, thus enhancing the security of the doors 50 of the cargo containers 40. The second supplemental locking device 200, when installed, will completely cover the handles of the cargo container 40.

It is appreciated the amount of side wall notches 15 in the preferred embodiment of the supplemental locking device 10, the amount of first alternate side wall notches 115 in the first alternate embodiment of the supplemental locking device 100, or the amount of second alternate side wall notches 215 in the second alternate embodiment of the supplemental locking device 200 may match or exceed the amount of bars 70 present on the rear doors 50 of the vehicle 40. These notches 15, 115, 215, are also located on the respective supplemental locking device 10, 100, 200 to be used on the vehicle 40, such that the notches 15, 115, 215 align with the bars 40. In certain embodiments, the size, location, and amount of notches 15, 115, 215, of any of the embodiments of the supplemental locking device 10, 100, 200, are governed by the amount and size of the bars 40, and may be sized to cover only a single rear door 50 if necessary.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A supplemental locking device, comprising: a bottom wall surface, a top wall surface, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall;a plurality of side wall notches disposed along the first side wall, the side wall notches extend downward;a plurality of first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first side wall;a plurality of second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second side wall, the first side wall slots and the second side wall slots are aligned with each other;a plurality of upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the bottom wall surface, the upright members extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall;an aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the upright members; andat least one handle affixed to the top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

2. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 1, wherein the side wall notches are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

3. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 1, wherein the side wall notches are coextensive with the height of the first side wall.

4. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 1, wherein the side wall notches are shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container.

5. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 4, wherein the first side wall slots and the second side wall slots have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate the bar of the door of the cargo container.

6. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 1, wherein the first side wall slots extend downward and forward.

7. The supplemental locking device, according to claim 1, wherein the second side wall slots extend downward and forward.

8. A first alternate supplemental locking device, comprising: a first alternate bottom wall surface, a first alternate top wall surface, a first alternate first end wall, a first alternate second end wall opposite the first alternate first end wall, a first alternate first side wall, and a first alternate second side wall opposite the first alternate first side wall;a plurality of first alternate side wall notches disposed along the first alternate first side wall, the first alternate side wall notches extend downward;a plurality of first alternate first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first alternate first side wall, the first alternate first side wall slots extend downward and forward;a plurality of first alternate second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the first alternate second side wall, the first alternate second side wall slots extend downward and forward;a plurality of first alternate upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the first alternate bottom wall surface and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the first alternate first end wall, the first alternate second end wall, the first alternate first side wall, and the first alternate second side wall;a first alternate aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the first alternate upright member; andat least one first alternate handle affixed to the first alternate top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the first alternate supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

9. The first alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 8, wherein the first alternate side wall notches are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

10. The first alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 8, wherein the first alternate side wall notches are coextensive with the first alternate first side wall.

11. The first alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 8, wherein the first alternate side wall notches are shaped to accommodate a bar of a rear door of a vehicle.

12. The first alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 8, wherein the first alternate first side wall slots and the first alternate second side wall slots are aligned with each other.

13. The first alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 8, wherein the first alternate first side wall slots and the first alternate second side wall slots have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container.

14. A second alternate supplemental locking device, comprising: a second alternate bottom wall surface, a second alternate top wall surface, a second alternate first end wall, a second alternate second end wall opposite the second alternate first end wall, a second alternate first side wall, and a second alternate second side wall opposite the second alternate first side wall;a plurality of second alternate side wall notches disposed along the second alternate first side wall, the second alternate side wall notches extend downward;a plurality of second alternate first side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second alternate first side wall, the second alternate first side wall slots extend downward and forward;a plurality of second alternate second side wall slots disposed along the top portion of the second alternate second side wall, the second alternate second side wall slots extend downward and forward;a plurality of second alternate upright members disposed along a bisecting longitudinal axial centerline of the second alternate bottom wall surface and extend upward therefrom a terminate prior to a plurality of top edges of the second alternate first end wall, the second alternate second end wall, the second alternate first side wall, and the second alternate second side wall;a second alternate aperture disposed adjacent an upper edge of each of the second alternate upright members; andat least one second alternate handle affixed to the second alternate top wall surface adapted to enable manipulating of the second alternate supplemental locking device onto a door of a cargo container.

15. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 14, wherein the second alternate side wall notches are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

16. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 14, wherein the second alternate side wall notches are coextensive with the height of the second alternate first side wall.

17. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 14, wherein the second alternate side wall notches are shaped to accommodate a bar of the door of the cargo container.

18. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 17, wherein the second alternate first side wall slots and the second alternate second side wall slots have a laterally extending section shaped to accommodate the bar of the door of the cargo container.

19. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 14, wherein the second alternate first side wall slots and the second alternate second side wall slots are aligned with each other.

20. The second alternate supplemental locking device, according to claim 14, wherein the second alternate supplemental locking device are each fabricated out of heavy-gauge folded ten-gauge steel.