Improvements in securing storage devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device that can secure stored items in a cavity defined by a base, side walls and a top. The cavity can be accessed by moving parts of the device between open and closed positions so that the items can be removed. A locking device is provided to maintain the parts in the closed position, and at least one part of the device is or is provided with at least one sacrificial element, so that if force is applied thereto in an attempt to break the locking device and gain unauthorized access to the cavity, the sacrificial element will break before a sufficient level of force is applied to break the locking device, thereby preventing the at least one part from being used to apply force to break the locking device and gain unauthorized access and steal items from the cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention to which this application relates is an improvement in secure storage devices, and in particular, an improvement in storage devices that provide a secure and safe location for tools, equipment, fuel and other items. Background Art

[0002] Secure storage devices, in particular storage devices that provide a secure and safe location for tools, equipment, fuel and other items, are often used daily, but need to be securely stored to allow them to be used when they are next needed and to prevent theft from the storage device, for example if they are left overnight in the storage device. In addition, the device is particularly suitable for use with a vehicle or storage building such as a warehouse, the storage device can then be arranged to be secured in place with a surface of the vehicle or building, and the purpose is to be able to prevent the device as a whole from being removed from one or more surfaces to which the device is secured, and / or to prevent access to the interior of the device to obtain and remove items therein.

[0003] It will therefore be appreciated that with this type of device there are two main securing issues: moving the device as a whole from the secured position to allow further work to gain remote access to the interior of the device and thereby the contents; and a second issue of preventing access to the interior of the device and items stored therein.

[0004] It is known that there are many forms of this type of device on the market which purport to be secure, and while their security may be questionable in some cases, their level of security may be sufficient to deter relatively impulsive would-be thieves. However, it is often the case that these devices are not secure enough to withstand more determined and / or skilled attempts at breaching. In addition, it is known that sometimes those skilled in gaining access to this type of device will become aware of a particular weakness in the security of the device and are therefore able to exploit this weakness and commit a large number of thefts until the weakness is resolved.

[0005] When one considers that the tools secured in the device may be individually expensive, and when a number of tools are secured together, it can be appreciated that the theft of all of the tools may have a significant financial impact on the owner of the tools, may prevent the owner from operating their business and / or cause insurance premiums due to theft to become expensive or possibly unavailable. Therefore, the use of a true securing device is necessary for many individuals and businesses. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a secure storage device in a form that improves the securement of the device and increases the difficulty and / or time required to gain access to the device storage area. Another object is to improve the securement of the device to prevent and / or increase the difficulty of removing the device as an integral unit from another item or structure to which the device is secured.

[0007] Another object is to incorporate both of the above improvements in the same fastening device, thereby providing the device with an overall improvement in maintaining the security of items stored therein.

[0008] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a storage device comprising a body formed by a base, a top and side walls, defining a storage cavity therein, at least a portion of the device being movable between open and closed positions to allow access to the storage cavity when the at least portion is in the open position to allow items to be placed therein and removed therefrom, a locking device allowing the at least portion to be locked in the closed position and / or to lock the device to a support structure, wherein the device comprises at least one sacrificial element such that upon an attempt to gain access to the cavity and / or remove the device from the fastening structure by applying a force to or via at least one part that serves as or includes the sacrificial element in a locked state of the locking device, the sacrificial element will break or at least partially detach from the device, thereby reducing the likelihood that the force applied to the at least one part will reach a level sufficient to gain access to the cavity and / or remove the device from the fastening structure.

[0009] In one embodiment, the part has a function during use of the device and the sacrificial element is configured to have sufficient strength to allow the part to be used for its said function, but the sacrificial element is configured to be breakable or detachable from the remainder of the device when a higher level of force is applied thereto sufficient to break the locking device or otherwise enter the cavity or cause the device to disengage from the fastening surface.

[0010] In one embodiment, the purpose of the attempted unauthorized entry is to allow access to the cavity, thereby allowing theft of items from the cavity and / or allowing further actions to be taken to remove and separate the device from its securely attached structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the part is a handle, which is arranged to allow the entire device to be moved by grasping the one or more handles, and / or to allow grasping the one or more handles to move one or more parts of the device between open and closed positions.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one sacrificial element comprises a fastening device in the form of a screw having sufficient strength to fasten the part to the surface of the side wall, top and / or base of the device, but not having sufficient strength to enable the handle or other part to remain connected to the side wall, top or base surface when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied thereto in an attempt to gain unauthorized access.

[0013] In one embodiment, the screw has a predetermined upper force limit at which the screw is designed to break, thereby causing the part to break or separate from the device, thereby preventing further force from being applied thereto and allowing the remainder of the device to remain intact and secure.

[0014] In one embodiment, the device is arranged to be directly engaged to a fastening structure, such as the interior space of a vehicle, such as the back of a truck, or a fastening structure in the form of a building, and the device is fastened to a wall or floor or ceiling of the fastening structure. Alternatively, the device may be located on a fastening plate or base, which in turn is fastened to the fastening structure. However, the device may be independent of any fastening structure so as to be movable and away from any such fastening structure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the movable part of the device is provided in the form of a cover, which is movable about a pivot between an open and a closed position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism controlling the pivotal movement is located entirely within the cavity when the lid is in the closed position.

[0017] In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism engages the sidewall and / or cover portion of the device so that the engagement means are not visible or accessible from the exterior surface of the device, thereby preventing unauthorized attempts to operate these devices to move the cover relative to the rest of the device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cover is arranged so that when it is in the closed position, the side walls of the cover portion are substantially flush with the adjacent side walls of the device body, thereby preventing the cover from being used as an anchor or leverage device in an attempt to use a force applying device such as a jack to force the cover to an open position.

[0019] In one embodiment, the part being or comprising the one or more sacrificial elements is attached to the cover.

[0020] Often, the locking device comprises one or more locking members which engage between the cover and the body of the device.

[0021] In another embodiment, the one or more parts of the device are one or more drawers, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position, the former being located within the cavity of the body and the latter being at least partially removed from the cavity of the body to enable access to the drawers and items stored therein.

[0022] Often, in this embodiment, the one or more sacrificial elements are handles or fastening devices connecting the handles to the drawer so as to allow the drawer to move between open and closed positions.

[0023] In this embodiment, the locking device comprises, for each drawer, at least one locking member which, when in the locked position, engages with the body of the device in the locked position.

[0024] In another embodiment, the one or more sacrificial elements and features are attached to the side walls of the device body and are configured to allow the device to be carried and moved as a unit by one or more users.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, one or more portions of the outer surface of the device are formed of a composite metal or metal alloy, and when an attempt is made to cut the one or more portions, the layers or components of the one or more portions separate, thereby resisting the attempt to cut the one or more portions.

[0026] In one embodiment, the composite material is located at or adjacent to a locking device to provide resistance to access to break or cut the locking member. Additionally or alternatively, the composite material is located at or adjacent to an engagement device of a hinge mechanism of a lid of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1a -f shows a first, a second and a third embodiment of the device according to the invention; and

[0029] Figure 2a and Figure 2b A view showing a sacrificial part according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] First reference Figure 1a -c, shows a device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the device comprises a body 4 and a cover 6. The body is formed by side walls 42, 44, 46, 48 and a base 50, which defines a cavity 52, in which items such as tools can be stored directly, or in a drawer or tray located in the cavity.

[0031] In this embodiment, by Figure 1a Shown in closed, locked position and in Figure 1b and Figure 1c The cover 6 is formed as part of the cover 6 for movement between the open and unlocked positions shown, providing access to the cavity 52. ​​As shown by arrow 16, the cover 6 can be moved about the hinge mechanism 14, and when the cover is in the closed position, its front wall 54 is substantially flush with the side wall 42, as shown in FIG. Figure 1a As shown, when the cover is locked to the body via the locking mechanism 8, an attempt to insert a tool, such as a bottle jack, to lift the cover from the body is impeded.

[0032] exist Figure 1d and Figure 1e , an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein again a body 22 is provided, comprising side walls 56, 58, 60, a base 62 and a top wall 64, and a front wall, in which an aperture 66 is provided, which receives therein a portion, in this embodiment in the form of a drawer 20, as indicated by arrow 30, which can be in a closed, locked position and in a closed position in the cavity 52. Figure 1e The drawer itself comprises a space 68 for storing tools therein, and the drawer is also provided with a locking device 26 to lock the drawer to the body.

[0033] exist Figure 1a In the embodiment of -e, locking devices 10 may be provided on the base and / or the side walls of the body 4, 22 to allow it to be fastened and locked to a fastening surface, such as the surface of a building or a vehicle.

[0034] Figure 1f Another embodiment of the present invention is shown, many of its features are similar to Figure 1a -c, but in this case, the cavity 52 in the body 4 is divided into two sections, section 38 for storing items therein and section 40 for placing fuel tanks therein, and includes a ventilation rack 36 and a ventilation member 34 to prevent the accumulation of fuel fumes in the cavity. In addition, a lifting portion 32 is provided to allow the device 2 to be moved by, for example, a forklift.

[0035] The locking device 8, 10, 26 may include a locking mechanism with a plurality of levers and elongated members which, when operated by an authorization code or key provided to the owner and / or user of the device, are moved into a locked position to prevent unauthorized movement of the cover and / or drawer in the case where the cover and / or drawer is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the locking device may be a bolt or other fastening member which passes between the fastening structure and the device so that the device is locked to the locking structure, most typically only accessible to allow release of the bolt or fastening member upon authorized access to the cavity of the device.

[0036] In addition, for example, Figure 1a In the embodiment of the present invention, all or part of the wall 70 of the cover or device body may be formed of a composite metal or metal alloy structure, which has greater resistance to cutting and thus serves as a key securing feature to further secure and prevent entry into the device.

[0037] In order to further increase the strength of the securing of items within the cavity and / or to prevent theft of the device by removing items from the securing surface, the device is provided with one or more parts that act as or include sacrificial elements, which are often selected to be those parts that are most commonly used to gain unauthorized access to the device cavity and / or that may be judged to be able to be used to gain unauthorized access.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the part that is or comprises the sacrificial element is one or more of: the handle 12 attached to the lid 6, the handle 24 attached to the drawer 20 and / or the handle 18 attached to the body and used for the integral lifting device.

[0039] Figure 2a and Figure 2b An embodiment of the parts is shown in Figure 2a , the handle 12 is shown in its normal position, a securing device in the form of a screw 72, and the wall 54 of the cover 6 of the device. The screw is a sacrificial element in this embodiment, made of nylon in this embodiment and having sufficient strength to secure the handle 12 in place so that it can be used for normal functions, such as being grasped to lift the cover between the open and closed positions. However, the screw 72 is also deliberately configured to only be used and remain intact within a predetermined upper limit of the applied force (e.g., sufficient to move the cover 6 without any significant resistance). However, when a greater force is applied to the handle, such as in the direction of arrow 74 and a level sufficient to overcome the resistance to the cover movement to open is required, such as when the cover is locked closed by the locking device, the screw will break or shear, as shown in FIG. Figure 2b As shown, the handle part breaks and / or disengages from the cover before sufficient force is applied to the handle to cause the locking mechanism 8 to break. This thus prevents the part from being used as a means of breaking the locking device and unauthorized access to the cavity. Thus, if too much force is applied, the screw 72 that secures the handle to the body will break into fragments 72a, 72b, and the handle 12 will therefore be disengaged from the device and can no longer be used as a means of applying force to obtain unauthorized access.

[0040] The same applies to the application of force to a part such as a handle or other component, for example in an attempt to remove the device from a fastening structure (such as a truck or building), in which case an attempt to, for example, apply a chain around the handle and effectively tear the device off the vehicle or building (this is done by breaking or releasing locking devices in the form of bolts or the like) will fail when the applied force exceeds a predetermined upper limit of the force applied to the part, which will always be less than the predetermined calculated force required to break the locking device fastening the device to the fastening structure or fastening the part to the body.

Claims

1. A storage device for use with a vehicle, the storage device comprising: a body formed by a base, a top and side walls defining a storage cavity therein, a lid of the device being movable between open and closed positions about a hinge mechanism to allow access to the storage cavity when the lid is in the open position to allow items to be placed therein and removed therefrom, the hinge mechanism being positioned so as to be completely within the cavity when the lid is in the closed position, the body including a locking device that allows the lid to be locked with the body and a fastening device in the closed position to allow the device to be fastened to the vehicle, wherein the device further includes a handle that is attached to and separate from the locking device and that is positioned on the lid, wherein the handle is attached to the lid by a sacrificial screw such that upon an attempt to gain access to the cavity and remove the device from the vehicle by applying a force to or via the handle in a locked state, the sacrificial screw will break, thereby de-attaching the handle from the lid and preventing force from being applied to the handle to a level sufficient to break the locking device and fastening device and gain access to the cavity and remove the device from the vehicle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The handle has a function during normal use of the device and the sacrificial screw is provided with sufficient strength to remain intact to allow a force level up to the predetermined level to be applied to the handle to allow the handle to perform the normal function.

3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Attempting to gain access to the cavity when the locking device is locked involves moving the handle and lid to an open position to allow access to the contents of the cavity.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cover has side walls that are substantially flush with adjacent side walls of the body of the device when in the closed position.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: One or more portions of the outer surface of the device are formed of a composite metal or metal alloy, and attempts to cut the one or more portions result in the individual layers or components of the one or more portions separating.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The one or more portions are located at or adjacent the locking device so as to provide resistance to gaining access to the locking member.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The composite metal or metal alloy is located at or adjacent to a joining device for a hinge mechanism for a cover of the device.

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