Bolt security device and related methods
OwnerBruce Smithinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bolt security device is provided for protecting a bolt from theft, tampering, or unauthorized removal. The device includes a collar that engages with a bolt, an upper body and a lower body that enclose the collar, and a padlock that locks the bodies together. When assembled, the device restricts access to the bolt head, preventing the bolt from being loosened or removed without unlocking the padlock. The design allows for simple installation and enhanced security using standard locking components.
Claims18
A bolt security device, the device comprising:
- a. a collar for receiving a bolt, said collar having a flange and a central opening;
- and
- b. an upper body and a lower body, each comprising:
- i. a shackle channel that extends along a perimeter of said upper and lower body, said shackle channel operable to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock such that the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel;
- and
- ii. a groove having a complementary geometry operable to engage with said flange;
- wherein said upper body and said lower body are coupled to enclose said flange when said padlock is in a locked configuration, and said central opening of said collar is threaded into said bolt.
A method for securing a bolt, the method comprising:
- a. engaging a central opening of a collar with a bolt;
- b. placing an upper body and a lower body around said collar, each body comprising an annular groove and a shackle channel;
- c. engaging said annular groove of said upper and lower body with a flange of said collar to form an annular receiver enclosing a flange of said collar;
- d. aligning said shackle channel of said upper and lower body to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock;
- and
- e. locking said padlock to secure said upper and lower body between said collar, preventing access to a head of said bolt, wherein the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel.
A system for protecting bolts from theft, the system comprising:
- a. a bolt security device having:
- i. a collar having a flange and a central opening engaged with a bolt;
- and
- ii. an upper body and a lower body, each comprising:
- 1. a shackle channel that extends along a perimeter of said upper and lower body said shackle channel operable to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock such that the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel;
- 2. an annular groove operable to engage with said flange;
- b. said bolt secured to a structural surface, said bolt having a bolt head;
- and
- c. said padlock having a shackle operable to align with said shackle channel;
- wherein said upper and lower body are coupled to form an annular receiver to enclose said flange and prevent access to said bolt head when said padlock is in a locked configuration, and said upper body and said lower body each include magnets operable to magnetically couple and retain said bodies in position prior to insertion of said shackle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.