Bolt security device and related methods
View Patent ↗A bolt security device is provided for protecting a bolt from theft, tampering, or unauthorized removal. The device includes a collar that engages with a bolt, an upper body and a lower body that enclose the collar, and a padlock that locks the bodies together. When assembled, the device restricts access to the bolt head, preventing the bolt from being loosened or removed without unlocking the padlock. The design allows for simple installation and enhanced security using standard locking components.
1 . A bolt security device, the device comprising:
a. a collar for receiving a bolt, said collar having a flange and a central opening; and
b. an upper body and a lower body, each comprising:
i. a shackle channel that extends along a perimeter of said upper and lower body, said shackle channel operable to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock such that the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel; and
ii. a groove having a complementary geometry operable to engage with said flange;
wherein said upper body and said lower body are coupled to enclose said flange when said padlock is in a locked configuration, and said central opening of said collar is threaded into said bolt.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said shackle channel has a geometry complementary to said shackle of said padlock.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said groove is annular and is complementary to said flange.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said groove of said upper and lower body form an annular receiver to enclose said flange when said upper and lower body are coupled together.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said bolt is secured to a structural surface.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein said flange is rotatably coupled and axially locked inside said annular receiver.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said upper body further comprises a pair of lateral flanges extending laterally from said shackle channel.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said pair of lateral flanges are not shaped to conform to the geometry of said shackle.
9 . A method for securing a bolt, the method comprising:
a. engaging a central opening of a collar with a bolt;
b. placing an upper body and a lower body around said collar, each body comprising an annular groove and a shackle channel;
c. engaging said annular groove of said upper and lower body with a flange of said collar to form an annular receiver enclosing a flange of said collar;
d. aligning said shackle channel of said upper and lower body to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock; and
e. locking said padlock to secure said upper and lower body between said collar, preventing access to a head of said bolt, wherein the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said shackle channel is complementary to said shackle.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said central opening engages with a threaded portion on said bolt.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said bolt head is inaccessible unless said upper body and said lower body are disassembled.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said flange of said collar is rotatably coupled and axially locked inside said annular receiver.
14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of locking said padlock by engaging said shackle with a padlock channel in said padlock.
15 . A system for protecting bolts from theft, the system comprising:
a. a bolt security device having:
i. a collar having a flange and a central opening engaged with a bolt; and
ii. an upper body and a lower body, each comprising:
1. a shackle channel that extends along a perimeter of said upper and lower body said shackle channel operable to receive a length of a shackle of a padlock such that the length of said shackle is nested in said shackle channel;
2. an annular groove operable to engage with said flange;
b. said bolt secured to a structural surface, said bolt having a bolt head; and
c. said padlock having a shackle operable to align with said shackle channel;
wherein said upper and lower body are coupled to form an annular receiver to enclose said flange and prevent access to said bolt head when said padlock is in a locked configuration, and said upper body and said lower body each include magnets operable to magnetically couple and retain said bodies in position prior to insertion of said shackle.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said annular groove is complementary to said flange.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said bolt head is inaccessible unless said bolt security device is disassembled.
18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said flange of said collar is rotatably coupled and axially locked inside said annular receiver.