Locks – Portable – Padlocks
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-08
2003-10-28
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3676)
Locks
Portable
Padlocks
C070S417000, C070S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06637243
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an improved lock, in particular, to an improved internal component lock for use with storage containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although the prior art shows internal locks for containers, none are believed to illustrate the type of device disclosed and claimed. The term “internal component lock” as used herein is a device having a housing with an internally mounted retaining device which engages a hasp inserted into an opening extending into said housing.
Storage containers referred to in the present specification are generally large, walk in boxes similar in size to semi-trailer trucks. The containers can be stacked and shipped by rail and by ship easily. In addition, such containers are used as storage devices by end users.
With any such container, maintaining security for the contents is a prime concern. Because such containers are often left unattended, they become targets for thieves and other criminals. Thus, the manufacturers and users of such containers continue to seek and develop better security techniques while the criminal element continues to develop methods for attacking and circumventing those security measures.
Various types of locks have been described in the prior art. Typical of padlock type devices is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,258 entitled “Padlock Protector” which issued on Nov. 16, 1993 and is owned by assignee of the present invention discloses a security device which consists of an exterior mounted housing for a latch bar which defines a recess. The recess provides access to an aperture in the bar by a circular shackle of a disk shaped padlock.
However, padlocks in general provide a point of attack for thieves, namely, the exposed shackle thereof. Thus, there is a need for a device which does provide this point of attack for would be thieves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,700 entitled “Latch and Lock for Trailer Doors” which issued on Apr. 23, 1996 to Kennedy, Jr., and owned by the assignee of the present invention, shows use of an internal lock
81
in
FIGS. 10 and 11
to secure a trailer door.
American Lock of Crete, Ill., has a Series 2000CC lock in which a retaining pin or shackle is mounted within a steel housing. A hasp is inserted into a hasp space and engaged by the retaining pin whereby that pin and the hasp itself are not directly accessible to a potential thief.
However, the present invention improves upon the prior art in a number of ways described below. None of the known prior art disclose the device set forth herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved internal component lock for storage containers which provides additional security therefore.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3798938 (1974-03-01), McCullum
patent: 3996774 (1976-12-01), Best
patent: 4183235 (1980-01-01), Coralli et al.
patent: 5261258 (1993-11-01), Bunger
patent: 5509700 (1996-04-01), Kennedy, Jr.
patent: 5711506 (1998-01-01), Stillwagon
patent: 5802896 (1998-09-01), Tsai
patent: 5884512 (1999-03-01), Wayne
patent: 5931032 (1999-08-01), Gregory
patent: 5953943 (1999-09-01), DeMario, Jr.
patent: 6009731 (2000-01-01), Emmons et al.
patent: 6036240 (2000-03-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 6079240 (2000-06-01), Shvarts
patent: 6185966 (2001-02-01), Chen
patent: 6434986 (2002-08-01), Rice et al.
American Lock Model #2000CC, printout of page from web site.
Clawson Aric
Lemley Russ
Barrett Suzanne Dino
McGue Frank J.
Mobile Mini, Inc.
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