METHOD AND SECURITY DEVICE FOR SECURING A TRUCK DOOR, AND TRUCK PROVIDED WITH SUCH A SECURITY DEVICE

The invention relates to a method for securing a truck door, wherein the truck door is closed with a lock accommodated in the truck door.

The method attempts to provide a solution for a relatively new problem, wherein criminals break open a cab of a truck while the truck driver is sleeping therein. A gas with a drugging effect is usually sprayed beforehand through a ventilation opening of the cab, whereafter the lock can be forced undisturbed. Valuable possessions are then stolen from the cab. The method is in fact tantamount to barricading a truck door or both truck doors with means which are simple to arrange. Use is advantageously made here of a handgrip which is in fact always present in a truck door and which the driver holds onto when getting in and out. The handgrip is necessarily firmly anchored in the frame of the truck and therefore forms an ideal point of engagement for a security device.

The inventive method therefore has the feature that an interior of the truck is provided with a bracket, which bracket is trained and locked for security purposes around a handgrip running at least substantially parallel to the truck door. Such a security device can be produced for a relatively low price and can be arranged quickly and easily.

In a truck which is secured in the above specified manner the windows can moreover be provided with a suitable sticker stating the presence of the security device. It may be anticipated that this has a preventive effect, so that the often considerable damage to the locks and damage caused by forcible entry can be prevented.

The above described securing method is important for the driver, since he is at considerable risk, but it is also important for the customer, especially if the cargo is a valuable one which must be transported to or through unsafe areas.

The invention also relates to a security means comprising a bracket-like member which can be trained around or over a handgrip of the truck, as well as locking means for locking the bracket-like member relative to the handgrip, and mounting means for mounting the bracket-like member on an inner side of a truck door. Such a security device makes optimal use of the means available in order to barricade a truck door on the inside in simple manner.

A very simple embodiment which can advantageously be utilized in trucks wherein the handgrip sinks into the truck door when the truck door is closed has the feature that the bracket-like member comprises a strip, a first outer end of which is rotatably mounted on the mounting means, and that the locking means comprise a protrusion mounted on the inner side of the truck door. The security device is preferably provided here with a spacing adjustment for adjusting a spacing between the strip and the mounting means, so that the clearance between the strip and the handgrip can be reduced practically to zero. It is discouraging for the criminal that the door cannot be moved after forcing of the lock, and it moreover reduces the chance that a crowbar can for instance be placed between the truck door and the frame of the truck.

A favourable alternative embodiment which can be applied in situations where the handgrip is located some distance from the truck door has the feature that the bracket-like member comprises a U-shaped member and that the locking means comprise a rod-like member which can connect the legs of the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member can then be embodied such that the handgrip comes to lie between the legs of the U- shaped member when the truck door is closed, whereafter it can be locked in simple manner.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the rod-like member is provided with an external screw thread which can co-act with an opening provided with an internal screw thread in one of the legs of the U-shaped

member, so that a fast locking can be obtained by rotating the rod-like member a few times.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the security device is provided with drive means for causing movement of the rod-like member so that the rod-like member can be moved reciprocally, for instance by operating a switch placed in the sleeping part of the cab.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the security device also comprises a remote control adapted to control the drive means. The security device can then also be switched on upon leaving the cab.

A very favourable embodiment has the feature that the U-shaped member is mounted pivotally on the mounting means such that the legs of the U-shaped member hang parallel to the truck door when the U-shaped member is not in use. This limits to a minimum the chance of injury to the driver or a co-driver due to the presence of the security device.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the security device is provided with a spacing adjustment for adjusting a spacing between the U- shaped member and the mounting means, so that the clearance between the rod-like member and the handgrip can be reduced practically to zero. It is discouraging for the criminal that the door cannot be moved after the lock has been forced, and it moreover reduces the chance that a crowbar can for instance be placed between the truck door and the frame of the truck. The security device is moreover preferably provided with a lock for locking the spacing adjustment so that once-only adjustment of this spacing can take place.

The invention also relates to a truck provided with a security device as specified in the foregoing paragraphs.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically an entry opening of a truck; Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a possible embodiment of an inner side of a truck door and a handgrip;

Fig. 2B shows a schematic view of this embodiment provided with the security device according to the invention;

Fig. 2C shows a schematic front view of the security device;

Fig. 3A shows a schematic cross-section of an alternative embodiment of an inner side of a truck door and a handgrip;

Fig. 3B shows a schematic view of this embodiment provided with a security device according to the invention;

Fig. 3C shows a schematic front view of the security device;

Fig. 4A shows a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of an inner side of a truck door and a handgrip;

Fig. 4B shows a schematic top view of an embodiment provided with drive means;

Fig. 4C shows a schematic front view of this embodiment;

Fig. 5A shows a schematic cross-section of an alternative embodiment provided with drive means;

Fig. 5B shows a schematic front view of this embodiment; Fig. 6A shows a schematic cross-section of a further alternative embodiment of an inner side of a truck door and a handgrip provided with a security device according to the invention; Fig. 6B shows a schematic front view of this security device when the handgrip is not in place.

Fig. 1 shows schematically an entry opening 1 of a truck provided with a truck door 2 having therein a lock 3 which can co-act in a known manner with a lock part 4 in an edge 5 of entry opening 1. The object of the present invention is to provide an additional security which a driver can arrange from the inside of the cab before going to sleep, so that truck door 2 cannot be opened, even if lock 3 is forced. Arranged for this purpose on the inside of truck door 2 is a bracket-like member 6 which can be mounted on a handgrip 7 present in some form in every truck to provide the driver with support when getting in and out.

Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a possible embodiment of an inner side 8 of a truck door and a handgrip 7. In this embodiment handgrip 7 is recessed in the truck door when the truck door is closed. Fig. 2B shows schematically this embodiment provided with a security device according to the invention, consisting of a steel strip 9, a first outer end of which is mounted on the truck door for rotation around a shaft 10 and a second end of which can be placed in a block 11 of U-shaped cross-section, whereby the truck door is secured. The second outer end can also be lifted out of block 11 , whereafter which it will hang downward and releases the truck door without itself causing an obstruction. Strip 9 and block 11 are anchored in a frame (not further shown) of the truck door with self-tappers or bolts 12a, 12b, 12c, and the spacing between strip 9 and handgrip 7 can be adjusted with spacer plates 13a, 13b such that in a closed situation strip 9 lies firmly against handgrip 7. Fig. 2C shows a schematic front view of the security device, with handgrip 7, strip 9, block 11 of U-shaped cross-section, and self-tappers or bolts 12a, 12b, 12c.

Fig. 3A shows a schematic cross-section of an alternative embodiment of an inner side 8 of the truck door and a handgrip 7. In this embodiment handgrip 7 lies practically against the truck door when the truck door is closed. Screwed against the inner side with self-tappers or bolts 14a, 14b is a mounting plate 15, to which is welded a U-shaped bracket 16 which encloses handgrip 7 when the truck door is closed. Fig. 3B shows a schematic view of this embodiment provided with a security device according to the invention, consisting of a steel pin 18 which is placed through two holes (not visible in the figure) in U-shaped bracket 16 so that handgrip 7 is anchored in U-shaped bracket 16 and the truck door is secured. If desired, steel pin 18 can be provided with a small handle 19 and can moreover be provided with an external screw thread which can co-act with an internal screw thread in one of the holes in U-shaped bracket 16. The spacing between mounting plate 15 and handgrip 7 can be adjusted with a spacer plate 20 such that strip 9 lies firmly against pin 18 in a closed situation. If desired, a cap can be mounted on inner side 8 of the truck door using self-

tappers or bolts 14a, 14b, this cap almost wholly covering bracket 16 and thus preventing bracket 16 causing injury, for instance when the door is suddenly blown shut. Fig. 3C shows a schematic front view of the security device, with handgrip 7, mounting plate 15, U-shaped bracket 16, pin 18, small handle 19 and self-tappers or bolts 14a, 14b which are anchored in a frame (not further shown) of the truck door.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of an inner side of a truck door 8 and a handgrip 7. Screwed against the inner side with bolts 14a, 14b is a solid U-shaped bracket 16 which encloses handgrip 7 when the truck door is closed. The actual security is obtained by placing a steel pin 18 through two holes (not visible in the figure) in U-shaped bracket 16 so that handgrip 7 is anchored in U-shaped bracket 16 and the truck door is secured. If desired, steel pin 18 can be provided with a small handle 19 and can moreover be provided with an external screw thread which can co- act with an internal screw thread in one of the holes in U-shaped bracket 16. The spacing between bracket 16 and handgrip 7 can be adjusted with a spacer plate 20 such that handgrip 7 lies firmly against pin 18 in a closed situation.

Fig. 4B shows a schematic top view of a further alternative embodiment. Screwed against the inner side of truck door 8 with bolts 14a, 14b is a housing 21 provided with a recess 22 which encloses handgrip 7 when the truck door is closed. The actual security is obtained by a metal pin 23 which can be moved reciprocally in housing 21 using a drive consisting of a motor 24 and a rubber wheel or a toothed wheel 25. Received in housing 21 is a control 26 for motor 24, provided with a battery, so that the operation of the security device can take place using a suitably placed switch. If desired, a per se known receiver for a remote control 27 can be accommodated in control 26 so that the security device can also be switched on and off outside the cab. Fig. 4C shows a schematic front view of this embodiment, with housing 21 and recess 22 which encloses handgrip 7 when truck door 8 is closed, as well as metal pin 23, motor 24, rubber wheel or toothed wheel 25 and control 26.

Fig. 5A shows a schematic cross-section of an alternative embodiment. Accommodated in truck door 8 is a housing 20 provided with two openings 29a, 29b, which can receive two ends of a U-shaped bracket 30 which is welded to handgrip 7. The actual security is obtained with a metal pin 23 which can be moved reciprocally in housing 28 using a drive consisting of a motor 24 and a rubber wheel or a toothed wheel 25, wherein in the position furthest to the left in Fig. 5B metal pin 23 slides into two openings 31 a, 31 b in the legs of U-shaped bracket 30. Housing 20 accommodates a control 26 for motor 24, provided with a battery, so that the operation of the security device can take place using a suitably placed switch. If desired, a per se known receiver for a remote control 27 can be accommodated in control 26 so that the security device can also be switched on and off outside the cab. In the figure housing 28 is shown embedded in the truck door, but it is of course also possible to mount housing 28 on the truck door. Fig. 5B shows a schematic front view of this embodiment with handgrip 7, housing 28, bracket 30, metal pin 23, motor 24, rubber wheel or toothed wheel 25 and control 26.

Fig. 6A shows a schematic cross-section of a further alternative embodiment of an inner side 8 of a truck door and a handgrip 7. In this embodiment handgrip 7 lies some distance from the truck door when the truck door is closed. Screwed against the inner side with a central bolt 32 is a mounting plate 15 to which are welded two tubular members 33a, 33b in which is placed a shaft 34 which can rotate around a longitudinal axis. An opening provided with an internal screw thread is arranged centrally in shaft 34. Screwed therein is a shaft 35, to the end of which a U-shaped bracket 36 is welded or screwed which encloses handgrip 7 when the truck door is closed. U-shaped bracket 36 is provided with two holes (not visible in the figure) in which a steel pin 37 is inserted so that handgrip 7 is anchored in U-shaped bracket 25 and the truck door is secured. If desired, steel pin 37 can be provided with a small handle 38 and can moreover be provided with an external screw thread which can co-act with an internal screw thread in one of the holes in U-shaped bracket 36. The position of mounting plate 15

relative to handgrip 7 can be adjusted in simple manner by rotating mounting plate 15 a little together with central bolt 32. The spacing between mounting plate 15 and handgrip 7 can be adjusted by rotating shaft 35, wherein it is screwed further or less far into shaft 34. If desired, a piece of the screw thread can of course also be sawn off. Once the correct spacing is adjusted, shaft 35 can be locked using a lock nut 39. Fig. 6B shows a schematic front view of the security device when the handgrip is not in place, with mounting plate 15, tubular members 33a, 33b, shaft 35 and U-shaped bracket 36, which now hang downward so that they do not form an obstruction or safety risk.