Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing the cover of a thin-walled box to the box frame. The locking mechanism includes a clip bracket adapted to engage a wall of the box frame, a lock body adapted to latch to the clip bracket and engage the box cover, a locking member carried by the clip bracket and adapted to clamp the clip bracket to the box wall when the locking member is in a clamping position, and a pivotable actuating lever adapted to actuate the locking member into the clamping position. The locking member and the actuating lever can be implemented as a two-piece system comprising first and second pivoting members. Alternatively, the locking member and the actuating lever can be integrally formed as a one-piece system. The locking mechanism is capable of multiple mounting positions on the box without drilling, and uses a spring-loaded plunger assembly that allows for a quick, keyless, slam installation.

Abstract: A series of high security fastener constructions feature rotatable anti-theft shrouds mounted on locking wheel nuts and wheel bolts designed for vehicular wheels. Each construction features (1) a fastener body having a first body end adapted to accommodate a key receiving pattern or member, a second body end having thread pattern extending therefrom, and a shroud receiving portion located between the first and second body ends, (2) a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud receiving, and (3) a shroud retaining system for retaining the shroud for rotation relative to the fastener body such that the shroud will rotate under an applied torque prior to the fastener rotating when it is installed at a design installation torque.

Abstract: A series of high security fastener constructions feature rotatable anti-theft shrouds mounted on locking wheel nuts and wheel bolts designed for vehicular wheels. Each construction features (1) a fastener body having a first body end adapted to accommodate a key receiving pattern or member, a second body end having thread pattern extending therefrom, and a shroud receiving portion located between the first and second body ends, (2) a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud receiving, and (3) a shroud retaining system for retaining the shroud for rotation relative to the fastener body such that the shroud will rotate under an applied torque prior to the fastener rotating when it is installed at a design installation torque.

Abstract: A fastener is embodied as a bolt having a shank with a threaded portion for introduction through an aperture in a work piece is disclosed. The fastener is divided into exposed and unexposed portions when used in the work piece. The fastener comprises a first coating formed on the exposed portion and a second coating formed on the unexposed portion. The first and second coatings are mechanically distinct from each other and substantially non-overlapping. The first coating provides a decorative coating on the fastener. The second coating provides a proper torque-tension relationship between the work piece and the unexposed portion. The second coating deposits relatively uniformly to ensure the unexposed portion will not become oversized. An auxiliary coating may further be applied to all or a portion of the unexposed portion, beneath the second coating. The fastener may also be embodied as a nut, a bolt-lock structure, or a lock nut.

Abstract: A ring-type meter lock including a resilient ring, first and second ends on the ring, a lock housing on the first end, a first slot in the lock housing, a latch unit in a threaded bore in the lock housing, the latch unit consisting of a threaded plug and a stem slidably mounting a latch with a spring between the plug and the latch which biases the latch into the first slot, an apertured tongue on the second end of the ring enterable into the first slot, at least one second slot in the tongue for receiving the spring-biased latch, and a key-receiving configuration on the threaded plug.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a separate seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge. The separate seating configuration can be mounted on a knurled surface with which it has an interference fit. A decorative cap can be mounted on the first end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A device having a cover with an edge portion which is placed in adjacent relationship to a flange when the cover is in a closed position, a lock structure for locking the cover to the flange including a nut mounted on the flange for receiving the threaded shank of a bolt which extends through a bore in the end wall of a shroud having a cavity therein which contains the head of the bolt having a curvilinear groove therein for receiving a key. A method of adding a lock structure to a cover of a device including the steps of forming a first hole in a flange of the device, mounting a nut on the flange, forming a second hole in the shroud which aligns with the first hole, mounting a shroud in the second hole, extending the shank of a bolt through a portion of the shroud mounted in the hole, with the head of the bolt being contained within a cavity in the shroud.

Abstract: A noncircular-based undulating key-receiving configuration, opposed undulating side walls in said configuration, a centerline within said side walls, with the centerline of the configuration lying within inner and outer noncircular perimeters. A key-receiving configuration containing a first undulating configuration within a second undulating configuration. A key having a first body insertable within a second body with both bodies having undulating key configurations thereon. A key-receiving groove having chamfered edges.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a separate seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge. The separate seating configuration can be mounted on a knurled surface with which it has an interference fit. A decorative cap can be mounted on the first end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A vehicle spare wheel lock construction including a lock body having a funnel guide mounted on one end thereof and a multi-fingered spring-type retaining washer mounted on the other end thereof for biting engagement with the internal surface of a handle receptacle of the winch. The lock body has a key-receiving groove in the end thereof and a key adapter is mounted on the end of a winch handle and has a curvilinear ridge on the end thereof which is guided into the curvilinear groove of the lock body by the frustoconical funnel guide and an adjacent internal frustoconical surface within the lock body.

Abstract: A lock including a lock housing, a lock bolt rotatably mounted in the lock housing, an undulating end on the lock housing, a torque plate mounted on the lock bolt for rotation therewith, an undulating face on the torque plate, and a spring mounted on the lock bolt and biasing the torque plate into engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing with the undulating face of the torque plate in meshing engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing. A bracket is mounted on the lock housing, first wings on the bracket, and a key having second wings for engagement with the first wings when the lock is in an unlocked condition.

Abstract: A lock arrangement for blocking the open end of a winch inlet tube of a spare wheel hoist and storage winch mounted on a vehicle frame having a bumper mounted thereon with a hole in the bumper for permitting access to the winch inlet tube, the lock arrangement including an extension tube for mounting between the hole in the bumper and the opening in the winch inlet tube and a closure for selectively blocking the open end of the extension tube including a key-actuated lock on the closure for selectively permitting removal of the closure from the second end of the extension tube to thereby permit an elongated crank member to pass through the extension tube and the winch inlet tube for actuating the winch.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge.

Abstract: A security fastener including a body having a circumferential periphery and an end wall, a curvilinear groove in the end wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressions extending inwardly into said circumferential periphery from said end wall and having a bottom wall and first and second side walls, junctions having radii between the bottom wall and the side walls. One of the side walls extends at a greater angle to the axis of the fastener than the other side wall, which is engaged by the driving tool. A driving tool for driving both the foregoing security fastener and a conventional hexagonal fastener including a body having a bore with a plurality of axially extending splines for selectively engaging either the above-mentioned side wall of the depression of the security fastener or a plurality of sides of the hexagonal fastener.

Abstract: A lock including a lock housing, a lock bolt rotatably mounted in the lock housing, an undulating end on the lock housing, a torque plate mounted on the lock bolt for rotation therewith, an undulating face on the torque plate, and a spring mounted on the lock bolt and biasing the torque plate into engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing with the undulating face of the torque plate in meshing engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing. A bracket is mounted on the lock housing, first wings on the bracket, and a key having second wings for engagement with the first wings when the lock is in an unlocked condition.

Abstract: A multi-tier security fastener in the nature of a nut or bolt having a body with a first tier having a lobed drive surface, and second and third cylindrical tiers on opposite sides of the first tier, with all three tiers having different effective diameters. The second and third cylindrical tiers can have irregularities in the nature of a lobe or a depression.

Abstract: A lock arrangement for blocking the open end of a winch inlet tube of a spare wheel hoist and storage winch mounted on a vehicle frame having a bumper mounted thereon with a hole in the bumper for permitting access to the winch inlet tube, the lock arrangement including an extension tube for mounting between the hole in the bumper and the opening in the winch inlet tube and a closure for selectively blocking the open end of the extension tube including a key-actuated lock on the closure for selectively permitting removal of the closure from the second end of the extension tube to thereby permit an elongated crank member to pass through the extension tube and the winch inlet tube for actuating the winch.

Abstract: A fastener including a fastener body having a drive configuration thereon, and a separate security cap mounted on the drive configuration by an interconnecting structure which can be a snap ring or a flexible spring ring. A security cap which is mountable on a drive configuration of a fastener including a body, a socket in the body, and an interconnecting member such as a snap ring or a spring ring mounted in a groove in the wall of the socket.

Abstract: A lock arrangement for blocking the open end of a winch inlet tube of a spare wheel hoist and storage winch mounted on a vehicle frame having a bumper mounted thereon with a hole in the bumper for permitting access to the winch inlet tube, the lock arrangement including an extension tube for mounting between the hole in the bumper and the opening in the winch inlet tube and a closure for selectively blocking the open end of the extension tube including a key-actuated lock on the closure for selectively permitting removal of the closure from the second end of the extension tube to thereby permit an elongated crank member to pass through the extension tube and the winch inlet tube for actuating the winch.

Abstract: A fastener member in the nature of a nut or bolt which bears against an external member which is softer than the fastener member including a body portion having first and second ends, a spin washer mounted on the first end of the body portion, internal and external surfaces on the spin washer, a first surface on the external surface for bearing the external member with a first frictional force, and a second surface on the internal surface of the spin washer for bearing against the first end of the fastener member with a second frictional force which is less than the first frictional force to thereby permit relative rotation between the first end of the fastener member and the internal surface of the spin washer while the spin washer remains in nonrotatable engagement with the external member.