Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-24
2001-01-30
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S421000, C070S429000, C070SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178792
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to locks which retain the keys which open them. More particularly invention relates to an apparatus having two barrel and tumbler locks which operate in combination with each other. When the first lock is moved to an open position it becomes frozen with the key snagged therein. The second lock is used to unfreeze and release the key from the first lock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
National and provincial government parks in Canada currently supply fire wood at no additional cost to campers when it is available from trees that have been removed. The provision of free firewood is being abused. Park managers believe that one half of the firewood provided to campers is either stolen or wasted. Another problem is that during wet periods—when firewood is most needed—all of the wood available is too wet to readily burn.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose a lock apparatus which will freeze in an open (or closed) position and retain the key therein. It is an object of this invention to disclose a lock apparatus which may be used in a dispensing box so that the key to the dispensing box may be delivered to the buyer at the time of sale. More specifically it is an object of this invention to facilitate the sale of dry fire wood in parks. When the sale of wood is made the key to a full box of wood will be delivered to the buyer. Upon use, the key will be snagged in the lock and the lock will be frozen open. It is yet a further object of this invention to stop theft and promote the judicious use of fire wood through a convenient vending apparatus which will facilitate sales therefrom. It is a final object of this invention to disclose a key retaining lock which may be used to facilitate and monitor the vending of particularly difficult to handle products delivered to the point of use.
One aspect of this invention provides for a key retaining lock apparatus comprising a first snag lock and a releasing lock. The first snag lock has a barrel having an interior longitudinal slot, and a ramped circumferential groove segment having a shallow and deep end portion; a tumbler within the barrel; a key; a radial catch arm connected to a rear portion of the tumbler; locking wafers in the tumbler slidingly projecting into the longitudinal slot which are fully retracted when the key is fully inserted into the tumbler so that the tumbler may be rotated turning the catch arm; and, an outwardly biased groove wafer in the tumbler slidingly projecting into the ramped circumferential groove segment in the first barrel. The second releasing lock has a barrel having an interior longitudinal slot, and a circumferential groove segment; a tumbler within the barrel; a key; locking wafers in the tumbler slidingly extending into the longitudinal slot which are fully retracted when the key is fully inserted into the tumbler so that the tumbler may be rotated; and, a strongly outwardly biased sliding groove wafer in the tumbler slidingly projecting into the circumferential groove segment in the second barrel. The barrels of the two locks are longitudinally overlapped and conjoined, and the circumferential groove segments are positioned and aligned so that the shallow end portion of the first ramped groove segment meets an end portion of the groove on the second lock so that when the first lock is rotated from a closed position to an open position its groove wafer moves from the deep end portion of the ramped groove, through the shallow end portion thereof, and finally upon meeting the circumferential groove segment in the second barrel, it jumps downwardly thereinto, freezing and preventing the barrel from being rotated back to an open position. In the open position the locking wafers are not aligned with the longitudinal interior slot in the barrel and therefor hold the key in the first snag lock. The second releasing lock which initially is in a non releasing position, may be rotated to a releasing position after its key is fully inserted, retracting the locking wafers from the longitudinal slot, so that its stronger downwardly biased groove wafer travels from a first end portion of its circumferential groove segment to an opposite end portion thereof where it contacts with the first lock groove wafer, pushing it inwardly to a retracted position so that the barrel of the first key snag lock may be located back to a closed position and the first key may be removed from the key snag lock barrel.
Various other objects, advantages and features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims which form part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its users, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2220786 (1940-11-01), Grainger
patent: 3203210 (1965-08-01), Check et al.
patent: 3791180 (1974-02-01), Doyle
patent: 4315420 (1982-02-01), Oliver
patent: 4567741 (1986-02-01), Trempala
patent: 4641507 (1987-02-01), Demonbreun
patent: 4641509 (1987-02-01), Batchelor et al.
patent: 4712400 (1987-12-01), Steinbach
patent: 5372021 (1994-12-01), Smith
patent: 5505066 (1996-04-01), Baucom
Gall Lloyd A.
Gallinger G. F.
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