A REMOTELY MONITORABLE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.

60/874,028, filed December 7, 2006 and entitled A REMOTELY MONITORABLE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improved locking assemblies generally, and particularly to locking assemblies for tankers.

BACKGROUND OF THE EWENTION

The following U.S. Patents are believed to represent the current state of the art:

3,453,892; 3,544,988; 3,642,036; 3,713,133; 3,714,644; 3,785,261; 3,814,148;

3,913,010; 3,914,996; 4,000,488; 4,101,876; 4,109,686; 4,218,674; 4,233,595; 4,263,945; 4,469,149; 4,488,370; 4,541,191; 4,620,182; 4,656,463; 4,748,668;

4,750,197; 4,766,419; 4,827,395; 4,846,233; 4,920,334; 4,934,419; 4,952,913;

5,033,217; 5,056,837; 5,068,643; 5,072,213; 5,097,253; 5,099,228; 5,119,104;

5,127,687; 5,156,198; 5,166,929; 5,169,188; 5,189,396; 5,189,935; 5,191,314;

5,204.819; 5,237,307; 5,244,017; 5,249,612; 5,266,925; 5,270,681; 5,276,431; 5,291,680; 5,316,057; 5,359,522; 5,396,227; 5,406,263; 5,406,730; 5,408,212;

5,408,213; 5,416,486; 5,421,177; 5,422,627; 5,434,572; 5,437,117; 5,447,344;

5,448,638; 5,471,212; 5,475,367; 5,512,879; 5,525,992; 5,534,847; 5,537,105;

5,537,771; 5,565,858; 5,566,486; 5,570,080; 5,574,977; 5,587,702; ^' 5,594,738;

5,596,501; 5,605,182; 5,612,675; 5,615,247; 5,615,249; 5,630,209; 5,642,355; 5,644,295; 5,646,592; 5,656,996; 5,677, 61 '4; 5,686,902; 5,691,980; 5,700,088;

5,715,623; 5,721,531; 5,722,469; 5,727,608; 5,749,533; 5,751,221; 5,751,256;

5,751,570; 5,754,108; 5,767,772; 5,786,759; 5,821,870; 5,836,002; 5,857,501;

5,861,807; 5,890,520; 5,906,228; 5,910,944; 5,912,623; 5,913,180; 5,917,405;

5,923,572; 5,936,525; 5,940,006; 5,944,069; 5,969,691; 6,055,426; 6,069,563;

6,154,139; 6,166,627; 6,216,003; 6,256,493; 6,288,629; 6,300,903; 6,366,779;

6,369,710; 6,394,150; 6,420,971; 6,420,971; 6,421,540; 6,466,558; 6,507,567; 6,590,886 and 6,593,845.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide improved locking assemblies generally, and particularly improved locking assemblies for tankers. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a remotely monitqrable closure assembly including a closure assembly including a closure body, a closure pin fixedly mounted onto the closure body and including a flange and a wireless communication circuit located in the closure body, and a key socket assembly including a closure pin receiver arranged for mounting on a closure element, the closure pin receiver having at least a pin securing operative orientation and a pin releasing operative orientation and a key-operated lock associated with the closure pin receiver and being operative for selectably locking the closure pin receiver in the pin securing operative orientation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the key socket assembly is mounted onto an enclosure via a mounting element mounted onto a base element forming part of the enclosure. Preferably, the mounting element is welded onto the base element.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure pin includes a forward portion and a rear portion, both having a first circumference, and a neck portion, disposed intermediate the forward portion and the rear portion, and having a second circumference which is smaller than the first circumference. Preferably, the key-operated lock includes a vertically slidable pin and a key receiving slot terminating in the vertically slidable pin, such that rotation of a key in the key receiving slot is operative to cause vertical motion of the vertically slidable pin, thereby enabling transition between the pin securing operative orientation and the pin releasing operative orientation of the closure pin receiver. Additionally, when the key is in a locked position, the vertically slidable pin engages the neck portion of the closure pin, thereby providing the pin securing operative orientation.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure pin receiver includes a monitorable element, operative to sense at least one of presence of the closure pin in the closure pin receiver and displacement of the closure . pin relative to the closure pin receiver. Preferably, the at least one of presence of the

closure pin in the closure pin receiver and displacement of the closure pin relative to the closure pin receiver as sensed by the monitorable element is monitored by the wireless communication circuit. Additionally, the wireless communication circuit is operative to provide an indication of at least one of authorized and unauthorized opening ad closing of the remotely monitorable closure assembly following monitoring the at least one of presence of the closure pin in the closure pin receiver and displacement of the closure pin relative to the closure pin receiver.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication circuitry is operative to communicate with at least one monitoring station to indicate at least one of the closure pin receiver being in the pin securing operative orientation and the closure pin receiver being in the pin releasing operative orientation. Preferably, the at least one monitoring station is operative to monitor the closure pin receiver via the wireless communication circuitry and to notify an operator of the remotely monitorable closure assembly of at least one of an attempt to open, close or tamper with the remotely monitorable closure assembly.

In accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the remotely monitorable closure assembly also includes a socket defining element, rotatably mounted onto the mounting element, which is operative to accommodate at least part of the closure pin and which includes a circumferential protrusion. Preferably, the flange of the closure pin is operative to engage the circumferential protrusion of the socket defining element, thereby to prevent disconnection of the closure assembly from the key socket assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more folly from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figs. IA and IB are respectively a simplified pictorial illustration and a simplified side view illustration of a key operated monitorable locking assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted onto a tanker;

Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a closed orientation;

Fig. 3 is a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partially sectional illustration taken along section lines IV-IV in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a partially open orientation;

Fig. 6 is a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a partially sectional illustration taken along section lines VII-VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a fully open orientation;

Figs. 9A and 9B are simplified side view illustrations of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a partially sectional illustration taken along section lines X-X in Fig.

9B; and

Figs. HA and HB are respectively a simplified pictorial illustration and a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitorable locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB mounted onto a hatch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made Figs. IA and IB ₅ which are, respectively, a simplified pictorial illustration and a simplified side view illustration of a key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted onto a tanker 20. Key operated monitored locking assemblies of the type shown in Figs. IA and IB are suitable for protection of various types of enclosures, such as, for example, tanker hatches and buildings. As seen in Figs. IA and IB, the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 preferably includes a monitorable pin assembly 100, which is typically seated on an element to be locked, such as a hatch 102 of tanker 20, and a socket assembly 106, which is typically mounted by a mounting bracket 108 onto a stable base element, such as the body of tanker 20. The mounting bracket is preferably welded onto the body of the tanker 20, but alternatively, any suitable method of permanently connecting the mounting bracket to the tanker may be used. The key socket assembly 106 includes a key operated lock element 110, which is also mounted onto the mounting bracket 108.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a closed orientation, to Fig. 3, which is a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Fig. 2 and to Fig. 4, which is a partially sectional illustration thereof.

As seen in Figs. 2-4, the monitorable pin assembly 100 preferably comprises a pin assembly enclosure 120 in which is disposed a pin assembly housing 122 including circuitry (not shown). Mounted on pin assembly housing 122 is a pin 124, which preferably has a rear portion 126 and a forward portion 128, both having a first circumference, and a neck portion 130, disposed intermediate the rear portion 126 and forward portion 128, which has a second circumference which is smaller than the first circumference. Socket assembly 106 preferably comprises the mounting bracket 108, onto which is fixedly mounted the key operated lock element 110. Key operated lock element 110 preferably includes an outer sleeve 132, in which is disposed a lock body 134. outer

sleeve 132 and lock body 134 have formed therein a slot 136 which accommodates a conventional key 138. Slot 136 preferably terminates in a vertically slidable pin 140, such that rotation of key 138 in slot 136 causes vertical motion of pin 140.

A pair of hinge defining arms 142 is preferably fixedly mounted onto mounting bracket 108, generally across from key operated lock element 110. Rotatably mounted onto hinge defining arms 142 is a socket-defining element 144, which is operative to be rotated about a horizontal axis 146, which is perpendicular to an axis 148 extending along pin assembly enclosure 120, pin 124, socket defining element 144 and lock body 134. Socket defining element 144 has a pin-accommodating socket 150 formed therein, which extends longitudinally along axis 148, through outer sleeve 132 and into lock body 134. As seen in Figs. 2-4, when the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 is closed, pin 124 is fully accommodated in pin accommodating socket 150. Preferably, when key 138 is in its locked position, pin 140 of lock body 134 engages neck portion 130 of pin 124, thereby preventing movement of pin 124 and opening of key operated monitorable locking assembly 10.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that at an end 152 of pin accommodating socket 150 there is formed a monitorable element 154, such as a reed switch, a magnet or any other suitable indicating element. Monitorable element 154 is operative to sense the presence of pin 124 at a predetermined location within the socket 150 and/or displacement of the pin, which presence and/or displacement can be monitored by the circuitry in pin assembly housing 122. Monitoring of displacement of pin 124 with respect to monitorable element 154 can provide an indication of authorized or unauthorized opening of the locking assembly, as well as of closing thereof. Preferably, when key operated monitorable locking assembly is in its closed orientation as shown in Figs. 2-4, the user prompts the circuitry within pin assembly housing 122 to communicate with one or more monitoring stations (not shown) via a network (not shown) to indicate that the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 is closed and locked. Following the initial communication, the monitoring stations continue to monitor the orientation of the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 and may notify an operator of attempts to open, close or tamper with the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10. The monitoring station may be in a state or

nationwide control center, in the driver's chamber of the tanker 20 or of a shipping container, or in any other suitable location, and may include an electronic reader for directly reading the information on the circuitry.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a partially open orientation, to Fig. 6, which is a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Fig. 5 and to Fig. 7, which is a partially sectional illustration thereof.

As seen in Figs. 5-7, a user has rotated key 138 within slot 136, thereby causing pin 140 to slide vertically downwardly and to disengage from neck portion 130 of pin 124. Following the disengagement of pin 140 from neck portion 130 of pin 124, the user may rearwardly displace monitorable pin assembly 100 along axis 148 with respect to key socket assembly 106, thereby rearwardly displacing pin 124.

Fig. 7 clearly shows that the pin 124 is no longer in contact with monitorable element 154 and is no longer accommodated in the portion of socket 150 which is within lock body 134. However, the pin 124 is still accommodated within the portion of socket 150 defined in socket defining portion 144.

When key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 is in the partially open orientation shown in Figs. 5 - 7, a signal is sent from the circuitry to the monitoring stations, indicating that the monitorable element 154 is no longer in contact with pin 124, and therefore the key operated monitorable locking assembly is not closed or sealed.

As seen with particular clarity in the enlarged portion of Fig. 7, socket-defining element 144 includes an inwardly facing circumferential protrusion 170 defining a shoulder 172, and pin 124 includes an outwardly facing circumferential flange 174. When monitorable pin assembly 100 is rearwardly displaced along axis 148 with respect to key socket assembly 106, flange 174 of pin 124 engages shoulder 172 of socket defining element 144, thereby preventing the disconnection of monitorable pin assembly 100 from key socket assembly 106. Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB in a fully open orientation, to Figs. 9A and 9B, which are simplified side view illustrations of the key

operated monitored locking assembly of Fig. 8, and to Fig. 10, which is a partially sectional illustration thereof.

As seen in Figs. 8-10, the user has fully opened the key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 by rotating socket defining element 144 together with monitorable pin assembly 100 about axis 146 by approximately 90 degrees, thereby enabling the user to access hatch 102. Preferably, once the socket-defining element 144 has been

. rotated, the monitorable pin assembly 100 and the pin 124 are forwardly displaced such that the pin 124 extends through and out of socket defining element 144.

When key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 is in the fully open orientation shown in Figs. 8 - 10, a signal is sent from the circuitry to the monitoring stations, indicating that the monitorable element 154 is no longer in contact with pin 124, and therefore the key operated monitorable locking assembly is not closed or sealed.

Reference is now made to Figs. HA and HB, which are, respectively, a simplified pictorial illustration and a simplified side view illustration of the key operated monitored locking assembly of Figs. IA and IB mounted onto a hatch. As seen in Figs. 1 IA and 1 IB, a key operated monitorable locking assembly 200, similar to key operated monitorable locking assembly 10 described hereinabove with reference to Figs. IA-10, may be employed to lock various enclosures, such as a fuel storage tank ^' 202.

As seen in Figs. 1 IA and 1 IB, the key operated monitorable locking assembly 200 preferably includes a monitorable pin assembly 204, which is typically seated on an element to be locked, such as a cover 205 of fuel storage tank 202, and a socket assembly 206, which is typically mounted by a mounting bracket 208 onto a stable base element, such as the body of fuel storage tank 202. The mounting bracket is preferably welded onto the body of the fuel storage tank 202, but alternatively, any suitable method of permanently connecting the mounting bracket to the fuel storage tank may be used. The key socket assembly 206 includes a key operated lock element 210, which is also mounted onto the mounting bracket 208. In a similar manner to that described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 2 -

10, the key operated monitorable locking assembly is operative to be in one of locked, partially open and fully open orientation, the transition between which is achieved by

turning of a key in the key operated lock element 210. A monitorable element (not shown) formed in monitorable pin assembly 204 is operative to sense the presence of a pin (not shown) at a predetermined location within the monitorable pin assembly 210 and/or displacement of the pin, which presence and/or displacement can be monitored by circuitry (not shown) included in the monitorable pin assembly. Monitoring of displacement of the pin can provide an indication of authorized or unauthorized opening of the locking assembly, as well as of closing thereof.

Preferably, when key operated monitorable locking assembly is in its closed orientation, the user prompts the circuitry to communicate with one or more monitoring stations (not shown) via a network (not shown) to indicate that the key operated monitorable locking assembly 200 is closed and locked. Following the initial communication, the monitoring stations continue to monitor the orientation of the key operated monitorable locking assembly 200 and may notify an operator of attempts to open, close or tamper with the key operated monitorable locking assembly 200. The monitoring station may be in a state or nationwide control center or in any other suitable location, and may include an electronic reader for directly reading the information on the circuitry.

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 subcombinations of various features described and shown in the foregoing description as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of ordinary skill in. the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.