Cargo door seal protector with GPS tracker

Abstract

The protector includes a box-like metal enclosure formed of first and second parts connected for movement between an open position, wherein a seal associated with the vehicle cargo compartment door handle is accessible, and a closed position, in which the seal is surrounded and cannot be accessed. A light-actuated GPS tracking device associated with the enclosure transmits an alarm signal to a remote server when light is detected due to opening of the enclosure parts. The alarm signal includes information as to the time and location of the vehicle when the enclosure was opened.

Claims

1. A security device for protecting cargo in the cargo compartment of a vehicle having a cargo compartment access door associated with a seal, the device comprising a protector for the seal in the form of an enclosure which surrounds the seal when closed and can be opened to access the seal, a light-actuated GPS tracking device capable of transmitting an alarm signal, said GPS tracking device being actuated by light entering said enclosure when said enclosure is opened to transmit said alarm signal to a remote server, said alarm signal indicating the time and location of the vehicle when the enclosure was opened.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cargo compartment door comprises a handle moveable between a first position, wherein the cargo compartment door can be opened to access the cargo compartment, and a second position, wherein the cargo door cannot be opened, wherein the seal is broken if the handle is moved from its second position, and wherein said enclosure surrounds a portion of said handle when said handle is in said second position and said enclosure is closed.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a hollow metal box-like enclosure, said enclosure comprising first and second parts movable between an open position, wherein an interior of said box is exposed to light, and a closed position, wherein said seal cannot be accessed.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein at least one of said enclosure parts is configured to accommodate a portion of the handle when said parts are in the closed position.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for locking said parts in said closed position.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said locking means comprises a padlock.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said enclosure comprises a base part and a cover part, wherein said base part may be situated adjacent the surface of the door, under a portion of the handle.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the door has hardware for mounting the seal and said base part comprises a recess adapted to accommodate the seal mounting hardware of the door.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said GPS tracking device is situated within said enclosure.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said GPS tracking device is situated outside of said enclosure.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising a housing for containing said GPS tracking device and for mounting said GPS tracking device to the exterior surface of said enclosure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

(1) To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a cargo seal protector with GPS tracking as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seal protector mounted on the handle of a side mounted cargo compartment access doer with the parts open to show the seal and an internally mounted GPS tracker unit;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seal detector mounted on the handle of a roll-up cargo compartment access door with the parts open to show the seal and an internally mounted GSP tracker unit;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a seal protector and an externally mounted GPS tracker unit; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seal protector and GPS Tracker unknit of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) The seal protector includes a strong box-like metal enclosure formed of first and second enclosure parts connected by a spring-loaded hinge. The enclosure parts are moveable between an open position, in which a seal associated with the vehicle cargo compartment access door handle is exposed, and a closed position, in which the seal cannot be accessed. At least one of the housing parts is hollow and configured to accommodate a portion of the door handle such that when the enclosure parts are in the closed position, the seal is fully surrounded. A padlock may be used to lock the enclosure parts in the closed position. When closed, the protector completely isolates the seal from the environment.

(7) There are two different types of cargo compartment access doors which are in common use. Side mounted doors pivot outwards from the sides of the cargo compartment access opening. Roll-up type doors are mounted at the top of the cargo compartment access opening and are moved up to open the door and down to close the door. Because these types of cargo doors move in different ways, different types of locks with handles that move differently are required.

(8) As a result, seal protectors of a different shape are required for each door type. FIG. 1 shows a seal protector designed for use on a side mounted cargo compartment access door. FIG. 2 shows a seal protector design for use with a roll-up type cargo compartment access door.

(9) In each type, the seal protector is hollow and shaped to accommodate the seal and a portion of the door handle, so the seal protector completely surrounds the seal, and a portion of the door handle, when closed. At the same time, the seal protector is completely portable and can easily moved between cargo compartment access doors on different vehicles.

(10) FIG. 1 shows the seal protector 10. The seal protector includes a base 12 and a hollow cover 14 connected by a spring-loaded hinge 16. The seal protector is designed to be mounted on a portion of the handle 18 of a side mounted cargo compartment assess door. The handle is moveable between a position where the cargo compartment access door can be opened and a position, shown in the figure, where the cargo compartment door cannot be opened.

(11) The door has seal mounting hardware 20 affixed to the exterior surface. Hardware 20 includes spaced, oppositely oriented brackets 22 with aligned openings. The openings are adapted to receive the shaft of a bolt-type metal seal 24. The seal is mounted on the brackets after the door is closed and the handle is in the position of FIG. 1.

(12) Once the seal 24 is in place, the base 12 of the seal protector can slide behind the handle and the seal, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The cover 14 of the seal protector can then be closed to enclose the seal and a portion of the door handle.

(13) Mounted inside of the cover 14 of the seal protector is a GPS tracker unit 26. Although other GPS trackers may be used, one unit that has worked well is the model GL500 Series available from Queclink Wireless Solutions, 3F, 717 Yishan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200233. That unit includes a built-in light sensor and an internal battery power source. The GL500 unit will generate and transmit an alarm signal upon the detection of light. The alarm signal is transmitted to a remote server.

(14) The GPS tracker unit is attached to the interior surface of the seal protector cover by magnets, fasteners, a bracket or other means. Once the GPS tracker unit is set and the seal protector parts are closed, the GPS tracker unit will monitor the light level in the seal protector. If the seal protector cover is opened for any reason, the GPS tracker unit will detect the incoming light and generate and transmit the alarm signal which includes the time and the location of the vehicle when the light was detected.

(15) FIG. 2 shows the seal protector 110. The seal protector includes a base 112 and a hollow cover 114 connected by a spring-loaded hinge 116. The seal protector is designed to be mounted on a portion of the handle 118 of a roll-up type cargo compartment assess door. The handle is rotatable between a position where the cargo compartment access door can be opened and a position, shown in the figure, where the cargo compartment door cannot be opened.

(16) The door has seal mounting hardware 120 affixed to the exterior surface. Hardware 120 includes spaced, oppositely oriented brackets 122 with aligned openings. The openings are adapted to receive the shaft of a bolt-type seal 124. The seal is mounted on the brackets after the door is closed and the handle is in the position of FIG. 2.

(17) Once the seal 124 is in place, the base 112 of the seal protector can slide behind the handle and seal, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The cover 114 of the seal protector can then be closed to enclose the seal and a portion of the door handle.

(18) Mounted to the interior surface of cover 114 is a GPS tracker unit 26, preferably the model GL500 Series available Queclink Wireless Solutions. The GPS tracker unit is attached to the seal protector cover by magnets, fasteners, a bracket or other means. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, once the GPS tracker unit is set and the seal protector is closed, the GPS tracker unit will monitor the light level in the seal protector. If the seal protector cover is opened for any reason, the GPS tracker unit will generate and transmit the alarm signal with the time and location information.

(19) FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of seal protector 10 of FIG. 1 in which the GPS tracker unit is mounted externally to the seal protector. In this embodiment, an opening is made in the rear surface of the seal protector cover. The GPS tracker unit is situated in a housing 30 which is then fixed to the surface of the seal protector by a mount 32 with the lens 34 of the GPS tracker unit aligned with an opening 36 in the mount and the opening in the rear of the seal protector. A rubber O-ring 38 may be used between the housing and the mount for a water-tight seal.

(20) FIG. 4 shows the seal protector of FIG. 3 with the externally mounted GPS tracker unit.

(21) While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.