Locks – Portable – Fetters
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-13
2004-04-13
Gall, Llyod A. (Department: 3676)
Locks
Portable
Fetters
C070S03800C, C070S039000, C070S052000, C070S053000, C070S054000, C070S055000, C070S233000, C070S417000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718802
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention is directed to a tamper resistant lock and, more specifically, is directed to a reinforced lock that engages a lock closure member in a manner that prevents the lock from being disabled.
Referring to
FIG. 31
, a typical lock
110
, similar to those commonly used with bicycles, is shown. The lock
110
has a U-shaped shackle
112
with two legs
114
that are engageable with a crossbar
116
. The crossbar
116
is typically cylindrical and formed of low quality steel
118
covered by rubber
120
. A left lock end
122
is typically formed of rubber only. The lock
110
is secured in the engaged position by inserting a bent foot
124
into a first hole
126
A and rotating the U-shaped shackle
112
until a notch bearing end
128
is inserted into a second hole
126
B. Once the U-shaped shackle
112
is engaged with the crossbar
116
, a lock
130
is manipulated to engage lock member
132
with a notch
134
in the notch bearing leg end
128
. The lock member is only secured in the U-shaped shackle
112
by metal sliver
133
which is typically an eighth of an inch or less in thickness of generally brittle steel.
While many years ago the above described conventional lock
110
was initially successful, today's thieves are well aware of many common techniques for quickly and easily disabling such locks. For example, a crowbar, or similar lever is commonly inserted between the legs
114
and, in combination with a fulcrum (which may consist of a lamppost, bike frame, bike rack, or other structure that the lock encloses), spreads the legs
114
generally outwardly causing either the bent foot
124
or the notch bearing end
128
to be disengaged from the crossbar
116
. Typically it is the thin metal sliver
133
that is broken from the U-shaped shakle which allows a thief to easily remove the lock. The breaking of the thin metal sliver
133
to remove the lock
110
is why so many disabled locks
110
are found with a broken metal piece inside the crossbar
116
. Alternatively, a hardened member can be driven through the rubber end
122
of the lock
110
to deform the bent foot
124
sufficiently to remove the crossbar
116
from the U-shaped shackle
112
.
The easy disabling of the lock
110
makes such locks unsuitable for use today. Due to the growing popularity of cycling and other outdoor recreational activities, more expensive and specialized sporting equipment such as mountain bikes with shock absorbing members and ultralight composite touring bicycles have been developed. With the increased value of bicycles and other recreational equipment, it is no longer acceptable to use the locks
110
currently available to secure one's possessions.
Clearly, what is needed is an improved tamper resistant lock, that is easy to install, that preferably does not have a rubber end, that can not easily be dismantled using a crowbar or the like, and that is configured to allow use with sporting equipment, such as bicycles, or with any other items, such as to secure metallic shutters used to cover store fronts or the like.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a lock that is tamper resistant and includes a lock member. Two tubes are disposed on the lock member. Each of the two tubes extend generally outwardly therefrom and each define a bore therethrough. The lock includes a closure member which has two shafts. The two shafts are inserted through the two tubes and detachable within the lock member when the lock is an installed configuration. A locking mechanism detachably locks the closure member to the lock member when the lock is in the installed configuration wherein the two tubes substantially cover the two shafts.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a lock that is tamper resistant. The lock includes a lock member having a generally elongated shape and a longitudinal axis. Two tubes are disposed on the lock member. Each of the two tubes extends generally outwardly therefrom and each define a bore therethrough. Each of the two tubes extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A closure member includes a transverse part having an outer surface and two shafts located on the outer surface. The two shafts are inserted through the two tubes and detachably lock within the lock member when the lock is an installed configuration. A locking mechanism detachably locks the closure member to the lock member when the lock is in the installed configuration wherein the two tubes, in combination with the lock member, completely enclose the two shafts.
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Gall Llyod A.
Volpe and Koenig P.C.
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