U.S. patent application number 12/745063 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for apparatus for locking gas canisters.
This patent application is currently assigned to HI-G-TEK INC.. Invention is credited to Noach Eizen, Eli Levy.
Application Number | 20110154868 12/745063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40679092 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110154868 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eizen; Noach ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
APPARATUS FOR LOCKING GAS CANISTERS
Abstract
A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly for a
fluid valve assembly of a bottled gas canister or other fluid valve
assembly, the remotely monitorable, selectably removable, lock
assembly including a lockable cover assembly configured for
lockable engagement with a fluid valve assembly, a remote
monitoring unit fixedly mounted to a locking shaft, arranged for
lockable engagement with the lockable cover assembly when the
lockable cover assembly is in a closed operative orientation,
preventing unauthorized access to the fluid valve assembly and a
locking unit which is operative for locking engagement with the
locking shaft for retaining the cover assembly in the closed
operative orientation, the remote monitoring unit having wireless
communication functionality enabling it to communicate with a
remote monitoring station for providing monitorable indications
both of tampering and of authorized unlocking of the locking unit
from the locking shaft.
Inventors: |
Eizen; Noach; (Rishon Le
Zion, IL) ; Levy; Eli; (Nir Zvi, IL) |
Assignee: |
HI-G-TEK INC.
|
Family ID: |
40679092 |
Appl. No.: |
12/745063 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
November 26, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL08/01545 |
371 Date: |
March 16, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60990349 |
Nov 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/164 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2205/0165 20130101;
Y10T 70/5566 20150401; F17C 2250/034 20130101; F17C 2205/0329
20130101; F17C 2201/056 20130101; F17C 2205/0308 20130101; F17C
2250/0478 20130101; F17C 2223/0123 20130101; F17C 2250/0678
20130101; F17C 2205/058 20130101; F17C 2205/0173 20130101; F17C
2250/032 20130101; F17C 2270/0745 20130101; F17C 2260/028 20130101;
F17C 2205/0326 20130101; F17C 2223/036 20130101; F17C 13/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/164 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/14 20060101
B65D055/14 |
Claims
1. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly for a
fluid valve assembly of a bottled gas canister or other fluid valve
assembly, the remotely monitorable, selectably removable, lock
assembly comprising: a lockable cover assembly configured for
lockable engagement with a fluid valve assembly; a remote
monitoring unit fixedly mounted to a locking shaft, arranged for
lockable engagement with said lockable cover assembly when said
lockable cover assembly is in a closed operative orientation,
preventing unauthorized access to said fluid valve assembly; and a
locking unit which is operative for locking engagement with said
locking shaft for retaining said cover assembly in said closed
operative orientation, said remote monitoring unit having wireless
communication functionality enabling it to communicate with a
remote monitoring station for providing monitorable indications
both of tampering and of authorized unlocking of said locking unit
from said locking shaft.
2. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 1 and wherein said lockable cover assembly
comprises first and second generally semi-cylindrical elements.
3. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 2 and wherein said first and second generally
semi-cylindrical elements are mutually pivotably mounted about an
axis.
4. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 2 and wherein each of said first and second
generally semi-cylindrical elements includes a closed top end wall
surface and a bottom end wall surface.
5. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 4 and wherein said bottom end wall surface
includes a semi-circular cut-out portion.
6. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 5 and wherein said semi-circular cut-out
portions engage a neck portion of said valve assembly when said
lockable cover assembly is in a closed operative orientation.
7. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 2 and wherein each of said first and second
generally semi-cylindrical elements includes a generally
cylindrical locking shaft receiving portion.
8. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 7 and wherein said generally cylindrical locking
shaft receiving portions are arranged to be coaxial when said
lockable cover assembly is in a closed operative orientation.
9. A remotely monitorable selectably removable lock assembly
according to claim 7 and wherein said generally cylindrical locking
shaft receiving portions are configured to slidably receive said
locking shaft.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Reference is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/990,349, filed Nov. 27, 2007 and entitled
APPARATUS FOR LOCKING GAS CANISTERS, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby
claimed under 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to locking devices generally
and more particularly to remotely monitorable selectably removable
locking devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of monitorable locking systems are known.
Preferred locking systems of this type are commercially available
from Hi-G-Tek Ltd. of Israel and are described in one or more of
their issued U.S. Patents and published pending U.S. and PCT patent
applications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide monitored selectably
removable locking of the valves of conventional bottled gas
canisters.
[0005] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention a remotely monitorable
selectably removable lock assembly for a fluid valve assembly of a
bottled gas canister or other fluid valve assembly, the remotely
monitorable, selectably removable, lock assembly including a
lockable cover assembly configured for lockable engagement with a
fluid valve assembly, a remote monitoring unit fixedly mounted to a
locking shaft, arranged for lockable engagement with the lockable
cover assembly when the lockable cover assembly is in a closed
operative orientation, preventing unauthorized access to the fluid
valve assembly and a locking unit which is operative for locking
engagement with the locking shaft for retaining the cover assembly
in the closed operative orientation, the remote monitoring unit
having wireless communication functionality enabling it to
communicate with a remote monitoring station for providing
monitorable indications both of tampering and of authorized
unlocking of the locking unit from the locking shaft.
[0006] Preferably, the lockable cover assembly includes first and
second generally semi-cylindrical elements. In accordance with a
preferred embodiment, the first and second generally
semi-cylindrical elements are mutually pivotably mounted about an
axis.
[0007] Additionally or alternatively, each of the first and second
generally semi-cylindrical elements includes a closed top end wall
surface and a bottom end wall surface. Additionally, the bottom end
wall surface includes a semi-circular cut-out portion. Preferably,
the semi-circular cut-out portions engage a neck portion of the
valve assembly when the lockable cover assembly is in a closed
operative orientation.
[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention each of the first and second generally semi-cylindrical
elements includes a generally cylindrical locking shaft receiving
portion. Preferably, the generally cylindrical locking shaft
receiving portions are arranged to be coaxial when the lockable
cover assembly is in a closed operative orientation. Additionally,
the generally cylindrical locking shaft receiving portions are
configured to slidably receive the locking shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1A is a simplified pictorial illustration of a remotely
monitorable selectably removable lock assembly for a valve of a
bottled gas canister or other fluid faucet or valve, constructed
and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, shown in an unlocked operative orientation;
[0011] FIG. 1B is a simplified pictorial illustration of the lock
assembly of FIG. 1A, shown in a locked operative orientation;
[0012] FIG. 1C is a sectional illustration of a protective cover
assembly forming part of the lock assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B,
taken along lines 1C-1C of FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in an
open operative orientation, following placement thereof over a
valve of a gas canister;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a simplified pictorial illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in a
closed operative orientation, following placement thereof over a
valve of a gas canister;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a simplified sectional illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIG. 3A, taken
along lines IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the lock
assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in remotely monitorable locked engagement
with the valve assembly of the gas canister;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in an
open operative orientation, following placement thereof over a
valve assembly of a fluid container;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a simplified pictorial illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in a
closed operative orientation, following placement thereof over a
valve of a fluid container;
[0019] FIG. 6B is a simplified sectional illustration of the
protective cover assembly of the lock assembly of FIG. 6A, taken
along lines VIB-VIB of FIG. 6A; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the lock
assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C in remotely monitorable locked engagement
with the valve assembly of the fluid container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are
simplified pictorial illustrations of a remotely monitorable
selectably removable lock assembly 100 for a valve assembly of a
bottled gas canister or other fluid valve, shown in an unlocked
operative orientation and locked operative orientation,
respectively, constructed and operative in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 1C,
which is a sectional illustration a selectably-openable hinged
protective cover assembly 102 forming part of the lock assembly 100
of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0022] As seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the remotely monitorable selectably
removable lock assembly 100 includes selectably-openable hinged
protective cover assembly 102, a remote monitoring unit 104 fixedly
mounted to a locking shaft 106, which is arranged for locking
engagement with cover assembly 102 in a closed operative
orientation, and a key-operable locking unit 108 which is operative
for locking engagement with locking shaft 106 for retaining the
cover assembly 102 in the closed operative orientation, as seen in
FIG. 1B.
[0023] Selectably-openable hinged protective cover assembly 102
preferably comprises first and second generally semi-cylindrical
elements 112 and 114 which have closed top end wall surfaces 116
and 118 and bottom end wall surfaces 120 and 122. As seen in FIG.
1C, bottom end wall surfaces 120 and 122 include respective
semi-circular cut-out portions 124 and 126 for placement of hinged
protective cover assembly 102 over a valve assembly of a gas
canister or a fluid container, as described further hereinbelow
with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 6A-6B.
[0024] Elements 112 and 114 are provided with a respective
generally cylindrical locking shaft receiving portions 132 and 134,
which are arranged to be coaxial when the cover assembly 102 is in
its closed operative orientation as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. Elements
112 and 114 are preferably mutually pivotably mounted about an axis
136 by a hinge 138 fixed to top end wall surfaces 116 and 118.
[0025] The remote monitoring unit 104 and the locking shaft 106,
which is fixedly mounted thereto, are commercially available from
Hi-G-Tek Ltd. of Israel, and are designated preferably by one of
the following model designations: IG-LK-40-433 and IG-LK-40-916.
Locking shaft receiving portions 132 and 134 are configured to
slidably receive locking shaft 106.
[0026] Key-operable locking unit 108 may be any suitable
key-operated lock and is preferably a conventional pin lock, which
is commercially available from Mul-T-Lock Ltd. of Yavne,
Israel.
[0027] Locking shaft 106 is configured to extend through locking
shaft receiving portions 132 and 134 and through an aperture 139 in
key-operable locking unit 108 into lockable engagement with
key-operable locking unit 108. Remote monitoring unit 104 is
operative such that unlocking of key-operable locking unit 108 from
locking shaft 106 or unauthorized disengagement of cover assembly
102, such as in an unauthorized attempt to remove cover assembly
102 from the locking system or otherwise tamper with the locking
system, will be monitored and wirelessly notified to a monitoring
center (not shown).
[0028] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified
pictorial illustration of protective cover assembly 102 of lock
assembly 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C in an open operative orientation,
following placement thereof over a valve of a gas canister, and to
FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are, respectively, a simplified pictorial
illustration and a sectional illustration of protective cover
assembly 102 of lock assembly 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C in a closed
operative orientation, following placement thereof over a valve of
a gas canister.
[0029] The initial engagement of cover assembly 102 with a valve
assembly 140 of a gas canister 142 is seen in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3A and
3B show cover assembly 102 in a closed operative orientation such
that semi-circular cut-out portions 124 and 126 of bottom end wall
surfaces 120 and 122 engage a neck portion 144 of valve assembly
140 and prevent unauthorized lifting and removal of cover assembly
102 from valve assembly 140.
[0030] Preferably, when in a closed orientation as seen in FIGS. 3A
& 3B, cover assembly 102 is operative to cover a flow control
knob 146 and a threaded connection portion 148 of the valve
assembly 140 and thus to prevent unauthorized access thereto and
removal thereof and to monitor authorized access thereto.
[0031] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows lock assembly
100 of FIGS. 1A-1C in remotely monitorable locked engagement with
valve assembly 140 of gas canister 142. Locking shaft 106 extends
through coaxial locking shaft receiving portions 132 and 134, fixed
to elements 112 and 114 of cover assembly 102, which are in a
closed operative location. Locking unit 108 prevents disengagement
of locking shaft 106 from receiving portions 132 and 134 and thus
prevents opening of cover assembly 102 and disengagement thereof
from the valve assembly 140.
[0032] Remote monitoring unit 104 communicates, preferably via a
wireless communication link, such as by RF communication or any
other suitable communication, with a remote communication device
150, for providing monitorable indications both of tampering and of
authorized unlocking of locking unit 108 from locking shaft 106.
Remote communication device 150 is preferably operative to
communicate with a computer 152 or other remotely located device,
typically via a network, such as the Internet.
[0033] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified
pictorial illustration of protective cover assembly 102 of lock
assembly 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C in an open operative orientation,
following placement thereof over a valve assembly of a fluid
container, and to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are, respectively, a
simplified pictorial illustration and a sectional illustration of
lock assembly 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C in remotely monitorable locked
engagement with the valve assembly of the fluid container.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the initial engagement of cover assembly 102
with a valve assembly 160 of a fluid container 162. FIGS. 6A and 6B
show the cover assembly 102 in a closed and locked operative
orientation such that semi-circular cut-out portions 124 and 126 of
bottom end wall surfaces 120 and 122 engage a neck portion 164 of
valve assembly 160 and prevent unauthorized lifting and removal of
cover assembly 102 from valve assembly 160.
[0035] Preferably, when in a closed orientation as seen in FIGS. 6A
& 6B, cover assembly 102 is operative to cover a flow control
knob 166 and a threaded connection portion 168 of the valve
assembly 160 and thus to prevent unauthorized access thereto and
removal thereof and to monitor authorized access thereto.
[0036] As seen in FIG. 6B, protective cover assembly 102 is
operative to cover the entire valve assembly 160 of fluid container
162, to prevent unauthorized removal thereof.
[0037] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which shows lock assembly
of FIGS. 1A-1C in remotely monitorable locked engagement with the
valve assembly 160 of the fluid container 162. Locking shaft 106
extends through coaxial locking shaft receiving portions 132 and
134, fixed to elements 112 and 114 of cover assembly 102, which are
in a closed operative location. Locking unit 108 prevents
disengagement of locking shaft 106 from receiving portions 132 and
134 and thus prevents opening of cover assembly 102 and
disengagement thereof from the valve assembly 160.
[0038] Remote monitoring unit 104 communicates, preferably via a
wireless communication link, such as by RF communication or any
other suitable communication, with a remote communication device
170, for providing monitorable indications both of tampering and of
authorized unlocking of locking unit 108 from locking shaft 106.
Remote communication device 170 is preferably operative to
communicate with a computer 172 or other remotely located, device,
typically via a network, such as the Internet.
[0039] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of
various feature of the invention and modifications thereof which
may occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing
description and which are not in the prior art.
* * * * *