Case lock

Details Case lock Case lock

2002-03-21

2003-04-15

Swann, J. J. (Department: 3677)

Closure fasteners

Bolts

Loops

C292S113000, C292SDIG004, C292SDIG004, C292SDIG005, C070S073000, C070S076000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06547293

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to locks, and, more specifically, to a case lock for use in a suitcase, trunk, or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,833 discloses a lock for use in a case. This design of case lock comprises a fixed lock member and a movable lock body assembly. The movable lock body assembly comprises a bottom panel, an actuating member pivoted to the bottom panel, a retainer member for engaging the fixed lock member, and a link coupled between the retainer member and the actuating member. This design of case lock is still not satisfactory in function. When the user unlocked the case lock and opened the case, the retainer member of the lock body assembly has a part protruded over the top side of the case. The protruded part of the retainer member may injure the user's hands or damage the storage items when the user take out the storage items from the case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a case lock, which keeps the movable members of the lock body assembly received below the elevation of the top side of the case when the user opened the case, preventing inconvenience to the user.
To achieve the objective of the present invention, the case lock comprises a fixed retaining member and a movable lock body assembly respectively fastened to the top and bottom cover shells of a case for locking the case. The fixed retaining member has an engagement block adapted for engaging into the movable lock body assembly when closing the top and bottom cover shells of the case. The movable lock body assembly comprises a front cover having a receiving recess, an actuating member pivoted to the front cover, a sliding retainer, a link and a back cover. The sliding retainer has an opening in middle section thereof, a front bar, a recessed portion in a top side of the front bar for engagement with the engagement block of the fixed retaining member, and a beveled face in a bottom side of the front bar. The sliding retainer is covered with its top side on the back side of the actuating member. The link is pivoted between the actuating member and the sliding retainer and adapted to move the sliding retainer in an axial direction while the link is driven by the actuating member. The back cover is covered on the bottom side of the front cover such that the back cover defines with the front cover a space, which receives the actuating member, the link, and the sliding retainer.


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