US 8,446,278 B2 · Security monitor for doors

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring the security of closures of the type used on large trucks, and shipping or other containers wherein one or more doors are provided on an end and/or the sides of the container and are secured by vertical rods having cam-like latches at their ends that are rotatable from a first disposition in which they engage keepers to lock the doors in a closed position, and a second disposition in which they disengage the keepers to unlock the doors and allow them to swing into an open position. More specifically, the present invention relates to a monitoring assembly that attaches between the locking rod handles of the containers, senses any movement of the locking handles or the opening of the doors, and provides visual signals and/or transmitted signals as an indication of tampering.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A security monitor for container doors of the type including locking mechanisms in the form of elongated door locking rods having laterally extending handles for facilitating movement of the locking rods and/or handles between a locking disposition and an unlocking disposition, comprising:

a housing;
securing means associated with said housing for securely affixing said housing to a locking rod and/or handle, said securing means including a clip assembly pivotally affixed to said housing and rotatable between an open position for receiving a locking rod and/or handle, and a closed position clampingly engaging the locking rod and/or handle between the clip assembly and said housing;
sensing means associated with said housing for sensing movement of the clampingly engaged locking rod and/or handle relative to said housing, and in response thereto being operative to generate at least one sense signal;
and
annunciator means responsive to said sense signal and operative to provide a communicative indication of the locking rod and/or handle movement.

2 more elements

A security monitor for container doors of the type including locking mechanisms in the form of elongated locking rods having laterally extending handles for facilitating rotation of the locking rods between a locking disposition and an unlocking disposition, comprising:

a housing including a first part and a second part pivotally attached to said first part for containing tamper detection and signaling apparatus;
securing means associated with said first and second parts for securely affixing said housing to a locking rod and/or handle when said locking rod and/or handle is in its locking disposition, said securing means including a clip assembly pivotally affixed to said housing and rotatable between an open position for receiving a locking rod and/or handle, and a closed position clampingly engaging the locking rod and/or handle between the clip assembly and said housing;
said tamper detection and signaling apparatus including
sensing means disposed within said housing for sensing rotation of the clampingly engaged locking rod and/or handle, and in response thereto generating a sense signal;
and
annunciator means disposed within said housing and responsive to said sense signal and operative to provide a communicative indication of the rotation of the locking rod and/or handle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Security monitor for doors

Life of this patent

Security monitor for doors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20