Shipping container theft prevention device

Abstract

A theft prevention device for a shipping container includes a channel and a plurality of magnets. The channel is defined by a base plate, a first plate, and a second plate. The base plate has a first side and a second side. The first plate extends from a first edge of the base plate in a longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate. The second plate extends from a second edge of the base plate opposite the first edge of the base plate in the longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate. The first plate extends away from the base plate farther than the second plate. The plurality of magnets is coupled to the first plate on a channel side of the first plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A theft prevention device for a shipping container, the device comprising:
 a channel defined by
 a base plate having a first side and a second side; 
 a first plate extending from a first edge of the base plate in a longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate; and 
 a second plate extending from a second edge of the base plate opposite the first edge of the base plate in the longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate, the first plate extending away from the base plate farther than the second plate; and 
   a plurality of magnets coupled to the first plate on a channel side of the first plate.   
     
     
         2 . The theft prevention device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an angle bracket having two perpendicular bracket plates connected along a seam, one of the bracket plates having an elongate slot disposed therethrough, the elongate slot having a long dimension oriented transverse to the seam;   a threaded member extending from a side of the first plate opposite the channel, the threaded member disposed through the elongate slot of the angle bracket, and   an internally threaded sleeve disposed around the threaded member, the internally threaded sleeve configured to be tightened against the angle bracket to secure the angle bracket against the first plate so that the other of the bracket plates extends parallel to the base plate.   
     
     
         3 . The theft prevention device of  claim 2 , wherein the internally threaded sleeve includes an arm extending from an exterior of the sleeve to provide a moment arm for rotating the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The theft prevention device of  claim 2 , wherein the long dimension of the elongate slot is about 2 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The theft prevention device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hook extension disposed at an end of the first plate opposite from the base plate, the hook extension including a third plate extending transversely beyond the first plate and oriented at an angle toward the second plate, a fourth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the third plate and away from the second plate, and a fifth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the fourth plate.   
     
     
         6 . The theft prevention device of  claim 5 , wherein the hook extension is sized to accommodate a clamping bar of the shipping container. 
     
     
         7 . The theft prevention device of  claim 5 , wherein the third plate extends transversely beyond the first plate and is oriented toward the second plate at an angle of about 14 degrees relative to a plane of the first plate. 
     
     
         8 . The theft prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate further comprises a handle disposed on the side of the first plate opposite the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The theft prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first plate is made from AR500 steel. 
     
     
         10 . The theft prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of magnets is a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
         11 . A theft prevention device for a shipping container, the device comprising:
 a channel defined by
 a base plate having a first side and a second side; 
 a first plate extending from a first edge of the base plate in a longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate; and 
 a second plate extending from a second edge of the base plate opposite the first edge of the base plate in the longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate, the first plate extending away from the base plate farther than the second plate; and 
   a plurality of magnets coupled to the first plate on a channel side of the first plate;   an angle bracket having two perpendicular bracket plates connected along a seam, one of the bracket plates having an elongate slot disposed therethrough, the elongate slot having a long dimension oriented transverse to the seam;   a threaded member extending from a side of the first plate opposite the channel, the threaded member disposed through the elongate slot of the angle bracket, and   an internally threaded sleeve disposed around the threaded member, the internally threaded sleeve configured to be tightened against the angle bracket to secure the angle bracket against the first plate so that the other of the bracket plates extends parallel to the base plate.   
     
     
         12 . The theft prevention device of  claim 11 , wherein the internally threaded sleeve includes an arm extending from an exterior of the sleeve to provide a moment arm for rotating the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The theft prevention device of  claim 11 , wherein the long dimension of the elongate slot is about 2 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The theft prevention device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a hook extension disposed at an end of the first plate opposite from the base plate, the hook extension including a third plate extending transversely beyond the first plate and oriented at an angle toward the second plate, a fourth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the third plate and away from the second plate, and a fifth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the fourth plate.   
     
     
         15 . The theft prevention device of  claim 14 , wherein the hook extension is sized to accommodate a clamping bar of the shipping container. 
     
     
         16 . The theft prevention device of  claim 14 , wherein the third plate extends transversely beyond the first plate and is oriented toward the second plate at an angle of about 14 degrees relative to a plane of the first plate. 
     
     
         17 . A theft prevention device for a shipping container, the device comprising:
 a channel defined by
 a base plate having a first side and a second side; 
 a first plate extending from a first edge of the base plate in a longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate; and 
 a second plate extending from a second edge of the base plate opposite the first edge of the base plate in the longitudinal direction away from and perpendicular to the first side of the base plate, the first plate extending away from the base plate farther than the second plate; and 
   a plurality of magnets coupled to the first plate on a channel side of the first plate;   a hook extension disposed at an end of the first plate opposite from the base plate, the hook extension including a third plate extending transversely beyond the first plate and oriented at an angle toward the second plate, a fourth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the third plate and away from the second plate, and a fifth plate extending perpendicular to an end of the fourth plate;   an angle bracket having two perpendicular bracket plates connected along a seam, one of the bracket plates having an elongate slot disposed therethrough, the elongate slot having a long dimension oriented transverse to the seam;   a threaded member extending from a side of the first plate opposite the channel, the threaded member disposed through the elongate slot of the angle bracket, and   an internally threaded sleeve disposed around the threaded member, the internally threaded sleeve configured to be tightened against the angle bracket to secure the angle bracket against the first plate so that the other of the bracket plates extends parallel to the base plate.   
     
     
         18 . The theft prevention device of  claim 17 , wherein the internally threaded sleeve includes an arm extending from an exterior of the sleeve to provide a moment arm for rotating the sleeve, and the long dimension of the elongate slot is about 2 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The theft prevention device of  claim 17 , wherein the hook extension is sized to accommodate a clamping bar of the shipping container, and wherein the third plate extends transversely beyond the first plate and is oriented toward the second plate at an angle of about 14 degrees relative to a plane of the first plate. 
     
     
         20 . The theft prevention device of  claim 17 , wherein at least the first plate is made from AR500 steel, and at least one of the plurality of magnets is a neodymium magnet.