Lock box for sealed latch assembly
OwnerRobert L. Jamesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lock box assembly for enclosing and protecting a plastic security seal on the latch assembly of the door on a cargo container or trailer. The lock box includes first and second box members that together form an enclosure for the hasp assembly that holds the seal. Cooperating latch arm slots in the sides of the box members capture the latch arm, thereby securing the lock box to the latch assembly and preventing access to the seal. Aligned holes in the sides of the box members receive a lock pin. This configuration provides a lock box that is simple in design and easy to attach and remove using any conventional lock pin. The box is secured to the latch assembly by capturing the latch arm in the slots, eliminating the need for any structure to pass through the hasps, leaving the seal undisturbed.
Claims13
A lock box assembly for a latch assembly comprising a latch arm engageable with a hasp assembly, wherein the hasp assembly comprises first and second hasps with aligned apertures therein to receive a security seal, the hasp assembly being adapted to restrain the latch arm therein, wherein the lock box assembly comprises a lock box including:
- a first box member having a closed end, an open end, a closed top, open bottom, and two closed sides, the first box member sized and shaped to enclose a first portion of the hasp assembly, wherein the sides include latch slots with open ends, the latch slots sized to receive a first portion of the latch arm, and wherein the sides have aligned locking holes therethrough;
- a second box member having an open end, a closed end, a closed top, and two closed sides, the second box member sized and shaped to enclose a second portion of the closed hasp assembly, wherein the sides of the second box member include latch slots with open ends, the latch slots sized to receive a second portion of the latch arm, and wherein the sides of the second box member have aligned locking holes therethrough;
- wherein the open end of the first box member is telescopically receivable in the open end of the second box member to form a continuous enclosure for the hasp assembly;
- wherein, when the first box member is received in the second box member, the latch slots in the first and second box members overlap to form an enclosed slot on each side of the lock box sized to receive the latch arm extending therethrough, and the locking holes in the first and second box members are aligned to receive a locking pin therethrough;
- wherein, when a locking pin is engaged in the locking holes in the lock box, the first box member is secured to the second box member with the latch arm in the enclosed latch slots so that the lock box is secured to the hasp assembly over the aligned hasps and any seal therethrough, thereby obstructing access to the seal and the hasp assembly.
A lock box assembly for a latch assembly comprising a latch arm engageable with a hasp assembly, wherein the hasp assembly comprises first and second hasps with aligned apertures therein to receive a security seal, the hasp assembly being adapted to restrain the latch arm therein, wherein the lock box assembly comprises a lock box for use with a lock, the lock box including:
- a first box member shaped and sized to enclose a first portion of the hasp assembly and comprising a latch-receiving recess sized to receive at least a first portion of the latch arm and a lock-receiving recess adapted to engage the lock;
- a second box member shaped and sized to enclose a second portion of the hasp assembly and comprising a latch-receiving recess sized to receive at least a portion of the latch arm and a lock-receiving recess adapted to engage the lock;
- wherein the first box member is engageable with the second box member to form an enclosure for the hasp assembly and security seal;
- wherein the lock-receiving recesses in the first and second box members are positioned to cooperate when the first and second box members are engaged so that when a lock is received therein, the first and second box members are locked together and around the latch arm;
- and
- wherein the assembled lock box encloses but does not engage the aligned apertures in the hasp assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.