WO2005080721A1

WO2005080721A1 - Locking arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2005080721A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Jones
Original assignee: S Jones Container Services Limited
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2005-02-16
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: GB2410978B; WO2005080721B1; GB0403309D0; GB2410978A

Abstract

Figures (2) and (6) show a locking arrangement (1) including a protective, padlock shroud or cover (2) of metal attached to a freight container door (d1) by securing bolts (not shown) passing through appropriately aligned holes in a rear plate of the cover and container door in a known manner. The locking arrangement (1) includes a locking projection or staple (S), generally of known form, fixed to container door (d2) in a generally known manner. The staple (S) is provided with a central, circular, through-hole (S1) of known form which is utilisable with but not limited to use with a known generally U-shaped, metal padlock (P). Figure (6) shows the padlock (P) in a first, unlocked position (P1) but still retained to the shroud (2) and in a second, locked position (P2). The padlock (P) is movable in the shroud (2) between locked and unlocked positions (Pl, P2) by means of a cartridge or carrier (3) having a right-angled hook portion (3a) co-operable with a slide track or rail (4) extending parallel to the top wall (2c) of the shroud (2).

Description

LOCKING ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to locks or security devices and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with a locking arrangement for ISO (International Standards Organisation) freight container doors.

Retro-fitted locking arrangements for container doors often have a staple permanently fixed to one door with a protective padlock cover or shroud being connected on the adjacent door. The shroud consists of a box-like member provided with a generally rectangular aperture in a rear, laterally projecting plate of the shroud. In use, once the container doors are closed, the projecting plate of the shroud will overlap the door having the staple, with the staple projecting through the rectangular aperture, ready for receiving the locking pin of a padlock introduced by hand into the shroud. Such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous in several respects.

Firstly, and most importantly, the padlock has to be removed from the shroud and from the locked container doors in order to open them. Therefore, it is possible that the padlock itself may be misplaced or lost during the time period in which the doors are unlocked. Also, the lock itself may be mishandled and, for example, might be dropped on the floor and broken or dropped into mud or the like, which would be inconvenient when reattaching the padlock to lock or secure the container doors together and which may increase the likelihood of corrosion and weathering of the padlock. Secondly, the design of the shroud is necessarily more bulky than might otherwise be the case, since sufficient space has to be provided inside the shroud to be able to insert the padlock into the shroud (from underneath the shroud through a bottom opening in the shroud) while it is gripped by hand. Sufficient space has to be provided so that the padlock can be manoeuvred into position with a hand gripping the padlock inside the shroud to engage the locking pin so as to extend through the staple into a receiving hole in the padlock, prior to a key of the padlock being operated to retain the locking pin in the locked position. Both locking and unlocking the padlock to retain the container doors securely to one another or to unlock the doors involves an operation which tends not to be user friendly and has to be performed largely by touch, since the padlock itself cannot be viewed easily whilst it is in the shroud. The main body of the padlock may only be viewable through the bottom opening of the shroud although portions of the padlock projecting downwardly beyond the bottom opening, such as the knurled head of the locking pin may be readily visible. Both locking and unlocking operations are more difficult or less desirable to perform in adverse weather conditions such as cold, wet and windy or frosty conditions or in the dark or low light conditions. Manoeuvring the padlock into and out of the locking position within the shroud may also be more difficult, for example, for a person wearing gloves in order to combat such adverse weather conditions.

Additionally, such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous in that the locking pin itself needs to be correctly aligned with the hole in the staple, so that the locking pin can pass therethrough to be received in its receiving hole in the padlock bridging the gap in the padlock. Whilst the hole in the staple may be somewhat larger than the diameter of the locking pin, in some circumstances (allowing for some misalignment of the locking pin axis with the axis of the staple hole) this may not always be the case, and, in any event, the degree of tolerance between the size of the staple hole and the diameter of the pin may not be sufficient for ease of the locking operation.

There may be other disadvantages with such locking arrangements. For example, the padlock itself may be prone to rattling in the shroud and overall access to the padlock in the shroud with a view to breaking the padlock (e.g. with a crowbar, hacksaw or other tool) in order to infiltrate the container may be greater than need necessarily be the case. Also, in some instances, a greater play between the position of the padlock in the locked position may be required to cater for any misalignment of the container doors that could occur, for example, when the container is standing on uneven ground.

US Patent Specification No. 4835996 shows an arrangement including a tapered shackle padlock. The padlock 10 itself includes a tapered shackle 12 for removably engaging lock body 14. Hasp 20 on frame 17 can extend through slotted latch 18 on door 15. Shroud 26 is part of the padlock 10 and once the shroud has been moved upwardly with the shackle to disengage the hasp, the complete padlock is free of latch 18 and free of the door to which the latch 18 is mounted so that the padlock could then be misplaced or lost.

GB Patent Specification No. 2266917 shows an arrangement in which a padlock 30 is fixed in position relative to a box unit or shroud 14 having two keyholes 33, 44. Thus, the padlock has to be unlocked by operating a key in slot 33 to move the padlock arm 31 and by inserting a key in keyhole 44 to move a lever 40 away from the padlock arm 31. It is believed that such an operation to unlock the padlock and lock again (using a reverse operation) is disadvantageous e.g. since it requires a double operation, is time consuming and not an easy, user friendly action.

US Patent Specification No. 4567740 shows a housing or shroud 1 for receiving a padlock 11. The padlock 11 remains in the same position relative to the shroud 1 as the hasp 61 is pivoted between locked and unlocked positions with staple 62. Disadvantageously, the padlock is not fully protected by the shroud e.g.the top is open exposing access to the sliding bolt 73.

An object of the present invention is to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, disadvantages or shortcomings associated with container door locks or other security devices or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a locking arrangement, for example for locking two container doors together in a closed position, said locking arrangement including a shroud attached or attachable to one door, said shroud having an opening for receiving a staple or locking projection provided, in use, on another door or support means e. g. a wall, the arrangement being such that a padlock or the like can be introduced into the shroud and attached to the staple or locking projection to lock the staple/locking projection to the shroud in a first, locking position, said padlock or the like being moveable within the shroud to a second, unlocked position remote from the staple, said padlock or the like being retainable within the shroud in said unlocked position. By embodiments of the present invention, the padlock or the like can be operated to lock the staple or locking projection to the shroud or moved out of the way of the staple/locking projection to allow the door or doors to be opened without removing the padlock or the like from the shroud. Advantageously, the door or doors may be fully closed with the padlock or the like out of the way of the staple, whilst the padlock or the like is still securely held inside the shroud.

Preferably, the locking arrangement includes a cartridge or carrier in which the padlock or the like may, preferably, be releasably inserted. In one embodiment, said cartridge/carrier has an open front for receiving the padlock or the like.

The padlock or the like could be resihently mounted in the cartridge/carrier. The cartridge or carrier may be co-operable with a slide track or rail or pivot means or support to allow the cartridge/carrier to slide therealong or pivot and hence the padlock or the like to be moved (slidden/pivoted) between the first and second positions.

The carriage and slide track/pivot arrangement, preferably, allows for sufficient movement for the locking arrangement to work when the doors (or door and support means) are misaligned. In one embodiment, the cartridge/carrier includes a hook co-operable with the slide track or rail. Alternatively, the carrier could be provided with a slot in which the slide track/rail can be received. Advantageously, the slide track or rail may include end stop means for limiting the extent of slideable movement of the cartridge/carrier and retaining the cartridge/carrier to the shroud, ready to lock the padlock or the like to the staple/locking projection (by operating a locking pin of the padlock or the like).

It is possible that the cartridge/carrier may be spring-loaded or gravity operated on the track/rail with the cartridge/carrier being biased to the second position.

The end stop means may also help the cartridge/carrier from becoming detached from the slide track/rail during normal use.

Containment means may be provided to prevent the padlock or the like being detached from the shroud whilst the locking pin is retained in both receiving holes of the padlock or the like (i.e. bridging a gap between upper and lower parts or limbs of the padlock or the like).

In one embodiment, said containment means may be in the form of a stop which prevents the hook on the cartridge/carrier from being lifted above or manoeuvred around or past the end stop means and disengagement therefrom when the locking pin is in the locking position (i.e. bridging said gap). Said stop may engage the locking pin of the padlock or the like when the locking pin is in the locked position if an attempt is made to remove the padlock or the like from the shroud, thereby preventing removal.

Additional or alternative containment means may be provided to prevent removal of the carrier/cartridge from the shroud e.g. a retaining bolt, keyed lock, or a permanent 'stop' welded into the shroud. Such additional or alternative containment means may possibly prevent removal of the padlock or the like in an 'open' position i.e. with the locking pin/seated in only one part or limb of the padlock or the like so that said gap is opened.

The slide track/rail may be provided with retaining means such as a tapered retaining projection, for holding the cartridge/carrier and padlock or the like in said second position. Usually, the padlock or the like will need to be moved upward relative to the shroud from this position before it can be moved along the slide track/rail. The tapered projection may include a ramp surface operable to smoothly lift the cartridge/carrier hook over the projection into a retaining recess during movement of the padlock or the like between the first and second positions.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a locking arrangement, for example for locking two container doors together in a closed position, said arrangement including a shroud which, in use, can receive a staple or locking projection that can be fastened to the shroud by a padlock or the like in the shroud, means being provided to captivate the padlock or the like in the shroud whilst the padlock is disengaged from the staple/locking projection. Still further according to the present invention there is provided a locking arrangement comprising any one or combination of the following features: -

1) A padlock shroud having means to retain a padlock or the like in or on the shroud when the padlock is disengaged from a staple or locking projection, preferably without the padlock or the like becoming free of the shroud during operation of the padlock or the like, 2) A padlock shroud having means to allow a padlock or the like to be moved or slidden while captivated between a locked position, locking a staple or locking projection to the shroud, and an unlocked position, 3) A cartridge or carrier for a padlock or the like, preferably, co-operable with a track in a shroud, 4) A (compact) shroud having an internal width matching or comparable with the width of a padlock or the like.

It is possible, in some embodiments, that the padlock or the like is permanently or semipermanently retained in the shroud.

Advantageously, the engagement of the cartridge/carrier with the track rail may be lubricant free. Further according to the present invention there is provided a locking arrangement as defined in any one of the preceding statements of invention including a padlock or the like. Preferably, the padlock is of a type having a linear action or linearly moveable locking pin. Preferably, the padlock is of a generally U-shape and the locking pin bridges the gap between the spaced parts or limbs of the padlock in a locked position. Preferably, when the pin is unlocked (e.g. by turning a key in the padlock) it can be pulled linearly out of a receiving hole in one limb of the padlock and across the gap to open the gap. The pin may, advantageously, be retained in the other limb of the padlock.

Further according to the present invention there is provided the combination of two doors, preferably hinged, or one door and a support means, and at least one locking arrangement as defined in any one of the preceding statements of invention. The doors (where provided) may be slideable or hinged about different axes or one door could be fixed. In an alternative embodiment only one door is provided; the staple/locking projection may be provided on a support means such as a wall.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a container or box body including the combination as defined in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of locking two doors together (or one door to a support means) using a padlock or the like substantially covered by a padlock shroud, said method comprising retaining the padlock within the shroud in an unlocked position in which the door or doors can be opened. Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

An embodiment of a locking arrangement in accordance with the present invention for locking two freight container doors relative to one another will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a front and downward perspective view of the locking arrangement attached to two doors of a container in a closed position;

FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 shows an inverted plan view of the locking arrangement looking in the direction of arrow A in FIGURE 2 of the drawings;

FIGURE 4 shows a front view of a cartridge or carrier for a padlock (shown in dashed lines) moveable within a shroud of the locking arrangement;

FIGURE 5 shows an end view of the cartridge or carrier locking in the direction of arrow B on FIGURE 4, and FIGURE 6 shows, somewhat schematically, a view of the shroud with front plate removed and the cartridge and padlock in the locked and unlocked positions.

According to the FIGURES of the drawings a locking arrangement 1 includes a protective, padlock shroud or cover 2 of metal having a rear plate 2a (see FIGURE 3) attached to container door dl by securing bolts (not shown) passing through appropriately aligned holes in the rear plate and container door in a known manner. Any convenient means (e.g. welding or bolting) may be provided for attaching the protective shroud 2 to the container door dl.

The locking arrangement 1 includes a locking projection or staple S, generally of known form, fixed to the container door d2 in a generally known manner (see FIGURE 3). The doors dl, d2 may be of a freight container (not shown).

As will be evident from FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the shroud 2 is fixed to the container door dl with about half the length of the shroud projecting laterally from the door dl and overlapping door d2. The rear plate 2a of the shroud 2 is provided with a large rectangular aperture 2b (see FIGURE 6) which, in use, in a closed position of the doors dl, d2, receives the staple S (see FIGURE 3 of the drawings).

The staple S is provided with a central, circular, through-hole SI of known form which is utilisable with but not limited to a known generally U-shaped, metal padlock P (shown in broken lines in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6). The staple S may be of any suitable form, variable to suit, and may be square and/or provided with an offset hole which may be of non- circular shape if desired. Since the padlock P is of known form it will not be described in further detail. The padlock P is shown retained to the shroud 2 in an unlocked position remote from staple S in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. It is to be noted that FIGURE 6 shows the padlock P in a first, unlocked position PI and in a second, locked position P2. In the position P2, the linearly moveable locking pin X of the padlock P, in use, extends through the hole SI in staple S and is retained in a receiving hole (not shown) in an upper part P' or limb of the padlock P prior to the padlock being locked by the key K to retain the pin X in the locked position in a known manner. FIGURE 6 is diagrammatic and does not take into account the inclined end wall 2f shown in FIGURE 1, the end wall 2^λf in FIGURE 6 being perpendicular to the front wall or plate 2d of the shroud 2.

As will be evident from the FIGURES of the drawings, the padlock P is moveable within the shroud 2 between the locked and unlocked positions (PI, P2) by means of a cartridge or carrier 3 having a right-angled hook portion 3a co-operable with a slide track or rail 4 extending parallel to the top wall 2c of the shroud 2. The track 4 extends from the back wall 2a at right angles thereto almost all the way across the internal width w of the shroud but spaced from the internal face 2^'d of the front plate 2d of the shroud 2 leaving a gap g, in use, which gap g receives a vertical portion 3^'a of hook portion 3a. Thus, the cartridge 3 is slideably retained to the track 4 by the horizontal portion 3" a of the hooked portion 3a engaging the upper surface of 4a of the track 4. It is to be noted that the slide track 4 includes an upwardly directed end plate portion 4b (stop means - see FIGURE 6) which terminates short of the top plate 2c by a gap gl forming a slot. Plate portion 4b limits the extent of slideable movement of the cartridge 3 to retain the cartridge 3 to the shroud. In this regard, it is to be noted that when the cartridge 3 is in the locking position, with the doors dl, d2 in the closed position, the internal face P"' (see FIGURE 4) of the padlock should abut an edge S^λ of the staple S. Once said internal face P^' " engages edge S' of staple SI the locking pin X should automatically be in line with the staple hole SI (although possibly offset from axis of hole SI), when the doors dl and d2 are closed.

Equally, the degree of play or tolerance of the cartridge 3 and hence of the padlock P to allow the locking pin X to pass through the hole SI in a staple S that may positioned anywhere within the aperture 2b, should be evident from the drawings. Cartridge 3, in the locked position P2, is able to be moved upwardly relative to the track 4 and may also be pivoted to some extent about a vertical axis to accommodate a staple S which may be positioned anywhere within in the aperture 2b.

It is envisaged that the cartridge 3 and padlock P will not normally be removed from the shroud 2, although, if desired, both the cartridge 3 and padlock P may be removed from the shroud as a unit, in a manner to be described later.

Slide track 4 is also provided with a tapered retaining projection 4c that helps to retain the cartridge 3 in the unlocked position PI preventing sliding of the cartridge 3 relative to the track 4, until the cartridge 3 is moved upwardly. If the cartridge 3 is moved upwardly as aforesaid the upper part 3"a of the hook 3a maybe lifted above the projection 4c, thereby allowing the cartridge to be slid to the left of FIGURE 6 down the shallow angled ramp 4'c as far as the end wall 4b. Conversely, ramp 4^Λc acts to smoothly raise the hook 3a above and beyond the projection 4c to drop into the locating recess R at the end of the track, during movement between the first, locked position and the second, unlocked position.

Advantageously, such movement can be affected simply by gripping the knurled end XI of the locking pin X; the main body of the padlock P itself does not need to be handled at all when moved between the unlocked position PI to the locked position P2 or vice- versa. Once the container doors dl, d2 have been closed with the padlock in the unlocked position, in order to lock the padlock P to the staple S the pin X is moved linearly from its receiving hole in limb P to open gap g3. The padlock P is lifted so that hook 3a clears projection 4c allowing the carriage 3 to be slid on track 4. Once face P"' abuts the staple, pin X can be moved linearly to bridge gap g3 extending through staple hole SI into the receiving hole in limb V . The key K can be operated to lock pin X into limb P in order to lock the staple to the shroud 2. Unlocking of the padlock from the staple and moved to the out of the way unlocked position P2 should be self-evident from the drawings.

Importantly, the shroud 2 is provided with containment means in the form of an end stop Y extending inwardly horizontally from the rear wall 2a and end wall 2e. Once the doors dl, d2 are open and staple S is no longer in the way should the top 3"a of hook 3a be lifted above end wall 4b in direction of arrow Zl as shown in FIGURE 6 and slid further along in direction of arrow Z2 so that top 3 "a enters into gap gl, end stop Y blocks pin X, and hence blocks further movement of the whole assembly of padlock and cartridge 3 in direction of arrow Z2 before top 3 ' ^λ a is clear of gap gl , thereby preventing removal of the padlock P and cartridge 3 from the shroud 2. Thus, stop Y prevents the hook 3 a being manoeuvred over the end wall 4b sufficiently so that the top 3" a can pass through and beyond the gap gl in order to release the cartridge and the padlock P from the shroud 2. If it is attempted to remove the cartridge 3 from the shroud 2, the locking pin X will engage the inner end edge Yl of the stop Y preventing the hook 3 a from being disengaged from the track 4.

However, if the key K is turned in the padlock P to release the pin X from its securement to the receiving part P' , vertical downward displacement of the locking pin X may be effected so that the pin X no longer bridges the gap g3 in the padlock (but is retained to the lower part of the padlock in known manner). Once the doors dl, d2 are open and staple S is no longer in the way, the cartridge 3 and the padlock P can be slid further in the direction of arrow Z2 so that the end stop Y enters the gap g3, thereby allowing the hook portion 3a to be disengaged slid entirely through gap gl and disengaged from the track 4 and removed from the shroud 2 in the direction of arrows Z3 and Z4.

It is possible, that, at some stage, the cartridge 3 and padlock P may need to be removed from the shroud 2 for replacement or repair. In the embodiment as described, the padlock P is retained snugly in the cartridge 3 as a simple push fit in the direction of arrow D in FIGURE 5. Thus, the cartridge 3 is conveniently shaped to grip the padlock P and is open at the front and once the cartridge has been removed from the shroud 2 the padlock P can be easily removed therefrom. Whilst the padlock P is in the shroud 2, the front wall 2d retains the padlock P in the cartridge 3. The rear face of the cartridge 3 is cut-away so that it does not overlap the gap g3 which could possibly interfere with the action of staple S and stop Y.

Advantageously, the width w of the shroud 2 may be in the order of approximately 42-47 millimetres, so that, when mounted correctly, does not protrude more than 50mm from the container doors, it can be used more conveniently on shipping containers. Shipping containers have dimension specifications to permit use in shipping as an ISO freight container such that any shroud, for example, should not extend outwardly beyond the vertical locking bars provided externally to the container doors. Therefore, when mounted, any shroud would need to be no more than 50 millimetres from the door skin of the container door on which it is mounted in order to meet such dimension specifications. Known freight containers generally have shrouds which extend outwardly beyond the vertical locking bars and which are of larger width than 50 millimetres to accommodate the padlock and to allow suitable handling in the shroud. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may be much more suitable for use on freight containers for the purpose of shipping within ISO regulations. Advantageously, since the padlock P can simply be slid from an unlocked position remote from the staple S to a locking position near the staple, simply by gripping the knurled head X of the locking pin, the internal width w of the shroud 2 can be made much narrower than if the padlock itself has to be gripped by hand inside the shroud. Thus, it is believed that such a design of locking arrangement 1 is more secure than other designs.

Whilst the cartridge 3 has been shown having an open front for receiving the padlock 3 in FIGURES 4 and 5, FIGURE 3 shows an arrangement in which the back of the cartridge 3 is open instead of the front. Although both arrangements are acceptable it is believed to be advantageous that the front of the cartridge is open rather than the rear (as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5) for easy disassembly of the padlock P from the cartridge 3.

FIGURE 6 shows in chain dotted lines a further optional modification to the shroud 2. The modification comprises an interior wall or stop M arranged to bias the hook 3a back into recess R should a jolt of the freight container during transit cause the cartridge 3 to be lifted or moved in an erratic manner that could result in the hook 3a inadvertently 'jumping' projection 4c.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the padlock P itself may be introduced and retained in the cartridge through an opening in the bottom of the cartridge (rather than through an opening in the front or rear) and retained thereto possibly by spring loading. In such an arrangement, it is possible that the padlock may be removable from the cartridge 3, whilst the cartridge is still retained in the shroud.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention offers many improvements, at least some of which might be patentable individually or in combination. Any individual feature as aforementioned or as shown or implicit herein or combinations thereof, or functions or methods appertaining thereto, may be patentably inventive and any specific term as used herein should not be construed as unnecessarily or unduly limiting; the scope of such a term should extend to, or may be replaced or supplemented by, any equivalent or generic expression. For example the term 'padlock' could be replaced by 'locking means' or the term 'shroud' could be replaced by 'casing' or 'cover'. The phrase 'locking arrangement' could be replaced by 'locking component' or 'locking means'. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. The locking arrangement could be for container doors or any other type of doors or panels.

Claims

1. A locking arrangement, for example for locking two container doors together in a closed position, said locking arrangement including a shroud attached or attachable to one door, said shroud having an opening for receiving a staple or locking projection provided, in use, on another door or support means e. g. a wall, the arrangement being such that a padlock or the like can be introduced into the shroud and attached to the staple or locking projection to lock the staple/locking projection to the shroud in a first, locking position, said padlock or the like being moveable within the shroud to a second, unlocked position remote from the staple, said padlock or the like being retainable within the shroud in said unlocked position whilst the shroud is attached to said one door.

2. An arrangement as claim 1 in which, in use, the padlock or the like can be operated to lock the staple or locking projection to the shroud or moved out of the way of the staple/locking projection to allow the said one door (or doors where provided) to be opened without removing the padlock or the like from the shroud and, preferably, in which the said one door (or doors) can be fully closed with the padlock or the like out of the way of the staple, whilst the padlock or the like is still securely held inside the shroud.

3. An arrangement as claim in claim 1 or claim 2 including a cartridge or carrier in which the padlock or the like can be inserted and, preferably, in which the padlock on the like can be releasably inserted in the cartridge or carrier and, preferably, in which the cartridge/carrier has an open front for receiving the padlock or the like and, preferably, in which the padlock or the like can be resihently mounted in the cartridge/carrier and, preferably, in which the cartridge or carrier is co-operable with a slide track or rail or pivot means or support to allow the cartridge/carrier to slide therealong or pivot to be moved (slidden/pi voted) between the first and second positions and, preferably, in which the carriage and slide track/pivot arrangement allows for sufficient movement for the locking arrangement to work when the doors (or door and support means) are misaligned and, preferably in which the engagement of the cartridge/ carrier with the track/rail is lubricant free, and preferably in which the cartridge/carrier includes a hook co-operable with the slide track or rail, or in which the carrier is provided with a slot in which the slide track/rail can be received, and preferably in which the slide track or rail includes end stop means for limiting the extent of slideable movement of the cartridge/carrier and retaining the cartridge/carrier to the shroud, ready to lock the padlock or the like to the staple/locking projection, or in which the cartridge/carrier is spring-loaded or gravity operated on the track/rail with the cartridge/carrier being biased to the second position, and preferably in which the end stop means helps the cartridge/carrier from becoming detached from the slide track rail during normal use.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding means having containment means provided to prevent the padlock or the like being detached from the shroud whilst a locking pin is retained in receiving holes of the padlock or the like (eg bridging a gap between upper and lower parts or limbs of the padlock or the like) and preferably in which said containment means is in the form of a stop which prevents a, or the hook, on the cartridge/carrier from being lifted above or manoeuvred around or past the end stop means and disengagement therefrom when the locking pin is in a locking position (e.g. bridging said gap) and, preferably in which said stop engages the locking pin of the padlock or the like when the locking pin is in the locked position if an attempt is made to remove the padlock or the like from the shroud, thereby preventing removal.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having containment means provided to prevent removal of the carrier/cartridge from the shroud, and preferably, in which said second mentioned containment means is a retaining bolt, keyed lock, or a permanent 'stop' welded into the shroud, and preferably, in which said second mentioned containment means prevents removal of the padlock or the like in an 'open' position eg. with the locking pin/seated in only one part or limb of the padlock or the like so that said gap is opened.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 in which the slide track/rail is provided with retaining means for holding the cartridge/carrier and padlock or the like in said second position and, preferably, in which the retaining means is a tapered retaining projection and, preferably, in which the padlock or the like needs to be moved upward relative to the shroud from the second position before it can be moved along the slide track/rail and, preferably, in which the tapered projection includes a ramp surface operable to smoothly lift a, or the, cartridge/carrier hook over a, or the projection, into a retaining recess during movement of the padlock or the like between the first and second positions.

7. A locking arrangement, for example for locking two container doors together in a closed position, said arrangement including a shroud which, in use, can receive a staple or locking projection that can be fastened to the shroud by a padlock or the like in the shroud, means being provided to captivate the padlock or the like in the shroud whilst the padlock is disengaged from the staple/locking projection and, preferably, whilst the shroud is attached to one door and, preferably, in which the padlock or the like is attachable to the staple or locking projection in a first, locking position, said padlock or the like being movable/ pivotable within the shroud to a second, unlocked position detached from the staple ( said movement preferably being generally translational and preferably in a direction parallel to the plane of the door on which it is attached and possibly towards a hinge axis of the door) or in which the shroud remains fixed relative to a, or the, door to which it is attached between a position in which the padlock engages the staple/locking projection and a position in which the staple/locking projection is disengaged from the staple/locking projection, and preferably, in which the padlock or the like is permanently or semi-permanently retained in the shroud, and preferably in which a cartridge or carrier is provided for the padlock or the like, and preferably in which the cartridge/carrier can be engaged on a track or rail and, preferably, in which the engagement of the cartridge/carrier with the track/rail is lubricant free.

8. A locking arrangement comprising any one or combination of the following features:-

1) A padlock shroud having means to retain a padlock or the like in or on the shroud when the padlock is disengaged from a staple or locking projection, preferably without the padlock or the like becoming free of the shroud during operation of the padlock or the like, 2) A padlock shroud having means to allow a padlock or the like to be moved or slidden while captivated between a locked position, locking a staple or locking projection to the shroud, and an unlocked position, 3) A cartridge or carrier for a padlock or the like, preferably, co-operable with a track in a shroud, 4) A (compact) shroud having an internal width matching or comparable with the width of a padlock or the like 5) And, preferably, in which the padlock or the like is permanently or semipermanently retained in the shroud and, preferably, in which the engagement of the cartridge/carrier with the track/rail is lubricant free.

9. A locking arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a padlock or the like and, preferably, in which the padlock is of a type having a linear action or linearly moveable locking pin and, preferably, in which the padlock is of a generally U-shape and the locking pin bridges the gap between the spaced parts or limbs of the padlock in a locked position and, preferably, in which, when the pin is unlocked it can be pulled linearly out of a receiving hole in one limb of the padlock and across the gap to open the gap and, preferably, in which the pin can be retained in the other limb of the padlock.

10. A combination of two doors, preferably hinged, or one door and a support means, and at least one locking arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and, preferably, in which the doors are slideable or hinged about different axes or in which one door is fixed and, preferably, in which only one door is provided; the staple/locking projection being provided on a support means such as a wall.

11. A container or box body including the combination as defined in claim 10.

12. A method of locking two doors together (or one door to a support means) using a padlock or the like substantially covered by, and movable relative to, a padlock shroud, said method comprising retaining the padlock within the shroud in an unlocked position in which the door or doors can be opened, whilst the shroud is attached to one door.