Locks – Portable – Padlocks
Patent
1996-11-15
1998-08-11
Barrett, Suzanne Dino
Locks
Portable
Padlocks
70 14, 70 19, E05B 6706
Patent
active
057911703
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an improved portable locking device, in particular to a portable looped cable locking device of the type described and illustrated in Australian Patent No 587718 issued to one of the present applicants.
In practice, we have discovered that the portable looped cable locking device described and illustrated in our Australian Patent 587718 is not generally satisfactory in that it operates only as a two position lock, namely a locked position where the cable is locked against movement in either direction through its cable receiving bore which extends through the housing of the locking device, and an unlocked position where the cable can slide freely in either direction through the bore to vary the size of the loop. Thus, in some instances, it is awkward to adjust the size of the loop and to tighten the looped cable around an object since one must release his or her grip on the free end of the cable in order to actuate the lock key to lock the locking device, which may result in a loss of tension. A still further disadvantage is that it was difficult to effectively lock articles where a small sized loop is required.
It is the main object of the present invention to provide an improved portable looped cable locking device which obviates one or both of the aforementioned disadvantages, which is of simple construction, of low cost, and which may be operable only with a key.
According to one form of this invention therefore, a portable looped cable locking device for securing items, eg skis, stocks, cycles etc, to a rack, bar or post or like fixture, comprises a housing in which one end of the cable is arranged to be anchored, a cable receiving passageway extending through the housing and through which the other end of the cable is passed so as to form a loop, a lock supported for rotation by said housing, a ring-shaped clamping member movably mounted within the housing and having a cable gripping portion on an outer surface thereof, the inner periphery of said clamping member defining a cam mounting opening, an eccentric positioning cam on said lock and rotatable therewith, said cam being disposed in said opening so that, upon rotation of the lock, the eccentric cam and clamping member co-operate to alter the angular disposition of said cable gripping portion between a first unlocked position where the cable gripping portion is positioned clear of said passageway and the cable is free to move in either direction through said passageway, and a second ratchet locking position where the cable gripping portion is tilted relative to said passageway with a portion thereof grippingly engaging a portion of the cable passing through said passageway in a manner so as to allow movement of the cable in the tightening direction only, and spring means for biassing said clamping member in the direction of its ratchet locking position.
Most preferably, the clamping member is a portable looped cable locking device wherein said clamping member is movably mounted for movement from said first unlocked position, to said second ratchet locking position, and in turn to a third fully locked position where said cable gripping portion is disposed approximately parallel to said passageway and clampingly engages against the cable and locks same against movement in either direction along said passageway.
Preferably, the clamp member comprises a circular cam wheel or disc eccentrically mounted for rotation about the axis of the lock cylinder of a key operated lock means, the rotation of the cam wheel effecting bodily rocking movement of the clamp member between its various positions.
Preferably, the clamp member is provided with a U-shaped cable locating bed in which the cable locates when threaded through said passageway, the base of said U-shaped bed being provided with a pair of lengthwise spaced apart ridge-like projections, both of which, when the clamp member is in its fully locked third position, clampingly engage against respective portions of the cable in order to frictionally lock same against any movement,
REFERENCES:
patent: 351063 (1886-10-01), McCormick
patent: 1380719 (1921-06-01), Johnson
patent: 1475256 (1923-11-01), Belair
patent: 2190661 (1940-02-01), Hauer
patent: 3435642 (1969-04-01), Del Pesco
patent: 3855824 (1974-12-01), Falk
patent: 4850207 (1989-07-01), Ylven
patent: 5447043 (1995-09-01), Hwang
patent: 5473917 (1995-12-01), Say
patent: 5517835 (1996-05-01), Smith
patent: 5568740 (1996-10-01), Lin
LandOfFree
Portable locking device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Portable locking device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Portable locking device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-378420