Device for securing a combination dial lock

A device for securing a combination locking mechanism, said locking mechanism having a rotatable dial, said device comprising:

• securing means for engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the unauthorized operation thereof;
• means for disengaging said securing means from said locking mechanism to allow said locking mechanism to be operated upon the occurrence of a predetermined access condition;
• and
• means for generating an alarm signal when said locking mechanism is in an unsecured state for more than a predetermined period of time, said locking mechanism being in an unsecured state when it is in an unlocked state and until the dial has been rotated a prescribed number of revolutions in a predetermined direction after the locking mechanism has been returned to a locked state.

A device for securing a combination locking mechanism having a combination dial with an opening therein, said device comprising:

• securing means for engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the unauthorized operation thereof, said securing means having a pin member projecting therefrom for being received within said opening to secure said dial against rotation;
• means for disengaging said securing means from said locking mechanism to allow said locking mechanism to be operated upon the occurrence of a predetermined access condition;
• and
• means for generating an alarm signal when said locking mechanism is in an unsecured state for more than a predetermined period of time.

A device for securing a combination locking mechanism, comprising:

• securing means for engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the unauthorized operation thereof;
• means for disengaging said securing means from said locking mechanism to allow said locking mechanism to be operated upon the occurrence of a predetermined access condition;
• means for controlling access to said locking mechanism until said access condition occurs, said access condition being met when said control means identifies an individual who is authorized access to said locking mechanism;
• and
• means for generating an alarm signal when said locking mechanism is in an unsecured state for more than a predetermined period to time.

A method of securing a combination locking mechanism, said locking mechanism having a rotatable dial, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device for securing the locking mechanism;
• positioning said device relative to said locking mechanism so that said device engages the locking mechanism to prevent the unauthorized operation thereof;
• providing means for disengaging said device from said locking mechanism and selectively controlling said disengaging means to allow said locking mechanism to be operated in response to a predetermined access condition;
• and
• generating an alarm signal when said locking mechanism is in an unsecured state for more than a predetermined period of time, said locking mechanism being in an unsecured state when said device is disengaged from said locking mechanism, when said locking mechanism is in an unlocked state and until the dial has been rotated a prescribed number of revolutions in a predetermined direction after the locking mechanism has been returned to a locked state.

A device for securing a combination locking mechanism having a rotatable dial, said device comprising:

• securing means for engaging the locking mechanism to secure the dial against rotation;
• means for positioning said securing means relative to said locking mechanism to allow said securing means to engage the locking mechanism;
• and
• means coupled to said positioning means for disengaging said securing means from said locking mechanism to allow said dial to be rotated upon the occurrence of a predetermined access condition, said positioning means being comprised of a housing for being mounted in a fixed position relative to said locking mechanism and said securing means being comprised of a bridge member which is pivotally attached at one end thereof to said housing, said bridge member having a pin member projecting from an opposite end thereof from said one end at which said bridge member is pivotally attached to said housing, said pin member for being received within a complementary opening in said dial to secure said dial against rotation.