GB2307268A - Baggage lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A baggage lock comprises a bolt mechanism in which bolts 47,55 are movable to engage respective apertured keepers (inserted at 15), and are maintained in their engaged positions by latch detent plates 21, 23. A release plate 22 engages the detent plates to move them to a bolt release position and plate 22 can be locked against such movement by a combination lock 3. Plate 22 pushes plate 21 to release and, via formations 224, 231, pulls plate 23 to release - the interaction allowing the plates 21, 23 sufficient movement to allow bolt engagement even if the plate 22 is locked. As shown the bolt are pivotably mounted and the plates slide.

Description

A Lock The present invention relates to a lock for use with baggage.

The lock is intended particularly, but not exclusively, for use with baggage such as suitcases or briefcases.

The lock described herein comprises a male part and a female part which operatively engage with one another to close the lock. The female part is attachable to a first portion of the baggage, such as the main body. The female part comprises a base, a combination mechanism such as a number identification mechanism, and locking means. The male part is attachable, for example, to the cover of the baggage.

There are a number of prior art locks which are suitable for baggage. One example of a prior art lock is a numerical lock with a central switch, as illustrated in attached Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The numerical lock comprises a female part having a base A attachable to a main body of the baggage and a male fastener B attachable to a cover or lid portion of the baggage.

Pase A comprises two side plates having guide troughs Al, A2.

One of said guide troughs A2 is used to guide the movement of two slide sheets C, D. Said base A is provided with positioning holes A3 which receive screws used to fix the number identification mechanism E, and the two upper covers F, G. One of said side plates has two openings A4 located at either end.

Adjacent said openings are two concave arc surfaces A5.

As illustrated, the slide sheet C comprises a protruding block C1 which is arranged such that a rotating body will push it.

Square hole C2 near the inner end is large enough to accommodate the number identification mechanism. Protruding sheet C21 cooperates with the lock tongue E51 of the number identification mechanism E. The middle of slide sheet C has a limiting hole C3 and beyond that a square hole C4. Said square hole C4 has a protruding body C4l on one edge and a concave arc surface C42 on the other.

A block clamp C5 comprises four protruding stems C52 which move along the guide trough Al. The protruding body C52 of the block clamp C5 and the protruding body C4l located on the slide sheet C are attached to one another via a spring C6. Such attachment enables the block clamp C5 to make contact with the curved surface C42 of the slide sheet C when pressed.

A second slide sheet D comprises a protruding block D1, which co-operates with a rotating body, a limiting hole D2, and a square hole D3 having a protruding body D31 and a concave arc surface D32 located therein.

A block clamp D9 comprises four protruding stems D41. Said protruding stems D41 move along the guide troughs located on the base A. A protruding body D42 of the block clamp D4 is attached to the protruding body D31 located on the slide sheet D via a spring DS resulting in contact between the block clamp D4 and the curved surface D32 of the slide sheet D when the block clamp D4 is pressed.

Such numerical lock also comprises a number identification mechanism E as illustrated in figures 8A, 8B and 8C. Said number identification mechanism E is secured, e.g. by screws, to two positioning holes A3 located centrally on the base A. The number identification mechanism E comprises a spring El, an axle E2, a plurality of count number wheels E3 and sleeve wheels E4 which are coupled together, a positioning sheet E5, a lock tongue E51, an elastic sheet E6, a spring E7 and a push stem E8 all assembled within a shell base E9.

The number wheel assembly of the numerical lock comprises sleeve wheels E4 which are inserted into number wheels E3. The half cylinder E41 of the sleeve wheels E4 will rotate in conjunction with the number wheels E3 thereby pressing the elastic sheet E6.

Said rotation results in the lock tongue E51 pushing the protruding sheet C2l located on the slide sheet C.

Upper covers F, G are located on either side of the number identification mechanism E. Each of said upper covers F, G comprises protruding ears F1, Gl. Said protruding ears F1, G1 are used to secure the handle to the baggage. The upper covers F, G also comprise end studs F2, G2 which are fixed to the base A by, for example, screws.

The upper cover F also comprises a turning body F3 which is located on the side nearest the combination lock E. A rotating body F4 is riveted to the lower end of said turning body F3. The rotating body F4 comprises stems F41 which are orientated in such a manner that they can push against both the block bodies C1, D1 located on the slide sheets C, D.

The upper covers F, G also comprise square holes F5, G5. Said square holes F5, G5 have press bodies F6, G6, made of upper and lower sheets, located therein. The press bodies F6, G6 comprise axles F51, G51 encased in one end thereof, so that the opposite end of the press bodies F6, G6 can move freely. The lower sheets of the press bodies F6, G6 comprise two parallel inclined sheets F7, G7 located near the outer ends. Concave arc surfaces F8, G8 protrude from the outer end of the lower sheets.

When the male fastener of the numerical lock couples with the female part, the push bodies are pressed downward thereby pressing the inclined sheets F7, G7 which in turn push the block clamps C5, D5 into a compressed status. Such chain of events results in the two slide sheets C, D moving outwards and hence, enabling the inclined sheets F7, G7 to engage with the concave arc surfaces E32, D32. Furthermore, the male fastener B is secured by the block clamps C5, D4 at the front slide wall near the opening A4 located on the base A.

The number identification mechanism E inhibits the movement of the slide sheets C, D. Consequently, in the event that the lock is opened and the pre-determined opening combination has not been dialled into the number identification mechanism, the user will be unable to close the lock. That is, until such time as the correct combination has been re-dialled into the number identification mechanism E. The inclined sheets F7, G7 will be retarded by the lock clamps C5, D5 and the slide sheets C, D until the mechanism E is set to an open status. Therefore, since the correct combination has to be dialled into the mechanism E before the lock can be closed, the user will have to re-dial such combination which increases the risk of the combination being disclosed to third parties.

Furthermore, the male fastener B is also retarded by the inclined sheets F7, G7 and the sideplates of the openings A4, located on the base A. Such chain of events results in the attachment between the main body and the cover being unsatisfactory with a visible space between the cover and main body.

When trying to open the locked numerical lock, the correct combination is first dialled into the number identification mechanism E causing the positioning sheet E5 to bounce up thereby no longer inhibiting the movement of the slide sheets C, D. The turning body F3 is then turned. The turning motion results in the specifically orientated stems F41 pushing against the protruding bodies C1, D1. This results in the inclined sheets F7, G7 moving away from the concave arc surfaces C42, D32. The block clamps C5, D4 bounce back and the male fastener B1 detaches from the base A. Since the turning body F3 can only turn in one direction, the user may experience some difficulty when the lock is orientated in some positions.

Changing the password of the numerical lock comprises the steps of: a) opening the lock b) pressing the adjustment stem EB in order to allow the sleeve wheels E9 to detach from the number wheels E3; c) adjusting the combination; d) pulling back the adjustment stem E8; Such an adjustment process is time consuming, as well as inconvenient.

Summary of the Invention An aim of the lock of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the disadvantages outlined above.

According to the present invention there is provided a lock as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 appended hereto.

One advantage of the lock described herein is that the lock may be closed without setting the combination mechanism to an open setting. When the correct setting has been dialled into the combination mechanism and the baggage is opened, the combination can be scrambled thereby preventing any leakage of the correct setting to unauthorised third parties. Unlike the prior art numerical lock outlined above, the present lock can be locked without the user having to re-dial the correct combination into the combination mechanism.

Another advantage of the present lock is that it facilitates better attachment between the main body and cover of the baggage.

A further advantage is that since the lock is opened by the operation of a push body, the lock is easy to open no matter which way the lock is orientated in relation to the user.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a lock; Figure 2A is a sectional schematic view of the lock when locked; Figure 2B is a sectional schematic view of the female part and male part when locked; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lock when opened; Figure 9 is a schematic view depicting an application of the lock; Figure 5A is an exploded view of the combination mechanism; Figure 5B is a sectional view of the combination mechanism; Figure 5C is a sectional view of the operating states of the combination mechanism; Figure 6 is an exploded view of a prior art numerical lock; Figure 7 is a sectional schematic view of the numerical lock;; Figure 8A is an exploded view of the numerical lock; Figure 8B is a sectional view of the numerical lock; Figure 8C is a sectional view of the numerical lock when open; Referring to figures 1, 2A, 3, 4 and 5, the female part is attached via a base 1 to the main body 0 of baggage such as a suitcase.

The base 1 is substantially U-shaped with side plates and is provided with guide troughs 11, 12. One of said guide troughs 12 is used to guide the movement of a plurality of slide sheets 2.

Said base 1 also comprises positioning holes 13 which are used to fix the combination mechanism 3, as well as two upper covers 4,5.

Openings 141 are located on both ends of the front slide plate 14 of the base 1. Adjacent to said openings 141 are concave surfaces 15 located on said base 1. Spring positioning hooks 16 are located adjacent said concave curved surfaces 15.

The female part of the lock comprises three slide sheets 2. A left slide sheet 21, a central slide sheet 22 and right slide sheet 23.

The left slide sheet 21 comprises two rectangular holes 211, 212, a central hole 213, and a protruding body or tongue 214.

The protruding body 214 is attached to the positioning hook 16 located on the left side of the base 1 via a spring 161.

The central slide sheet 22 comprises an insertion hole 221, said insertion hole 221 being of sufficient size to enable a combination mechanism 3 to be located therein, a block hole 222, said block hole 222 engaging with lock tongue 351 of the combination mechanism 3, a further hole 223 and a reversed Lshaped hook portion 224.

The right slide sheet 23 comprises a L-shape hook portion 231, which in use is located adjacent the reverse L-shaped hook 224 of the central slide sheet 22, a central hole 232, an protruding body 233, said protruding body is linked to the positioning hook 16 located on the right side of the base 1 via a spring 161, and a square hole 234.

A combination mechanism 3, such as a number identification mechanism, as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C, is fixed by screws to the positioning holes 13 which are located on the base 1. Said combination mechanism 3 comprises an extension spring 31, an axle 32, a plurality of number wheel assemblies, said number wheel assemblies comprise number wheels 33 and sleeve wheels 34 which are coupled together, a positioning sheet 35 with a downwardly protruding lock tongue 351, an elastic sheet 36, a spring 37 and a push stem 38, all encased within a shell base 39.

The female part also comprises a first upper cover 5 and a second upper cover 4 which are located respectively on either side of the combination mechanism 3. Both the upper covers 4,5 comprise protruding ears with drilled holes therein which facilitate attachment of a handle to the lock and hence, the baggage.

The second upper cover 4 comprises a main body 41 which is encased by a sleeve cover 42. The main body 41 comprises two studs 43 located on both ends thereof. Said studs 43 are fixed to the positioning holes 13 which are located on the right side of the base 1, e.g. by screws. One of said studs 43 adjacent the combination mechanism 3 also inserts through the trap hole of the L-shaped hook sheet 231. A press body 45, said body 45 being made of an upper and lower sheet riveted together, is located within a rectangular hole 44. An axle 441 and a spring 46 are located in one end of the press body 45 so that the other end of the press body 45 is free to move.

A downwardly protruding block body 47 is located on the outer part of the lower sheet of the press body 45. Said block body 47 has a orthoganally protruding portion 471 on one side and a hook body 472 on the other, with a curved surface 473.

A protruding sheet 48 downwardly displaced from the left end of the main body 41 comprises a slide hole 481. A push body 49 having an protruding block body 491 is inserted into the slide hole 481, as well as the hole 223 located on the central slide sheet 22.

Studs 51 attached to both sides of the first upper cover are fixed by screws on to the positioning holes 13 located on the left side of the base 1. One of said studs 51 adjacent said combination mechanism 3 inserts through the hole 212 located on the left slide sheet 21.

A press body 53, made of an upper and lower sheet riveted together, is located in the rectangular hole 52. An axle 521 and a spring 54 are located within one end of the press body 53 so that the opposite end is free to move.

A downwardly protruding block body 55 is attached to the lower sheet of the press body 53. Said block body 55 comprises a vertical plane 551, a hook body 552 and a curved surface 553.

Both the hook bodies 552, 472 of the block bodies 55, 47 are orientated in the same direction.

As illustrated in Figure 4 a male fastener S1 located on the baggage cover comprises a lock hole S11.

With reference to Figure 2A, when the lock is locked and the press buttons 45, 53 are pushed downwards, the block bodies 47, 55 move left thereby pushing the left and right slide sheets 21, 23 left. This results in the hook bodies 472, 552, as well as the curved surfaces 473, 553 sliding into the blocked position of the lock holes S11 located within the male fasteners S1 in such a manner that the male fasteners will move forward to be secured by the block bodies 47, 55.

When rotated by the number wheel 33, a half cylinder 341 of the sleeve wheel 34 will press the elastic sheet 36 resulting in the lock tongue 351 engaging with the hole 222 located on the central slide sheet 22. In this position, the lock is locked.

In order to open the lock, the number wheels 33 are dialled to a pre-determined correct combination. That is, the half cylinder 341 turns to the correct orientation such that the positioning sheet 37 is released by the half cylinder 341. This enables the positioning sheet 35 to bounce up resulting in the lock tongue 351 disengaging form the block hole 222 of the central slide sheet 22.

The push body 49 is pushed leftward causing the rectangular block body to move leftward, hence, pushing the central slide sheet 22 and the left slide sheet 21 in the same direction.

Consequently, the L-shaped hook sheet 224 will pull the reversed L-shaped hook sheet 231 thereby detaching the hook bodies 472, 552 from the left edge of the rectangular holes 234, 211 located on the slide sheets 21, 23. This chain of events results in the press bodies 44, 55 bouncing up and the block bodies 47, 55 detaching from the male fasteners S1.

Since the three slide sheets 2 are independent from the combination mechanism 3, when the lock has been opened, the number wheels 33 can be scrambled thereby preventing leakage of the combination to third parties. More importantly, once the lock is to be closed the press bodies 45, 53 can still be pressed into a locked status without the need for the user having to re-dial the correct combination into the combination mechanism.

Claims (4)

Claims

1. A lock for baggage, comprising a female part and a male part, wherein said male part and said female part are operatively releasably engageable such that said lock can be opened or closed, wherein said female part comprises: a locking means; a combination mechanism; and a base; wherein said locking means and said combination mechanism are secured to said base and co-operate such that when said combination mechanism is set to a predetermined combination, said lock can be opened, and co-operating such that said lock can be closed whether or not said combination mechanism is set to said predetermined combination.

2. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises: three slide sheets, said slide sheets being slidably connected to said base; a first upper cover and a second upper cover, each comprising means for operatively releasably engaging with said male part; said slide sheets and said upper covers operatively co-operating to secure or release said male part, said combination mechanism, when not set to said predetermined combination, engaging with one of said side sheets so as to inhibit the movement of said one of said slide sheets, whereby such engagement is independent from the rest of said female part thereby allowing said lock to be closed regardless of the status of the combination mechanism.

3. A lock for baggage comprising a female part attached to the main body of the baggage and a male part attached to the cover of said baggage, wherein said male part and said female part are operatively releasably engageable such that said lock can be either opened or closed, said female part comprising: a base, said base comprising a base plane, a first side plate and a second side plate, said side plates having two guide troughs located thereon, one of said guide troughs guiding the sliding movement of a plurality of slide sheets, said base plane comprising a plurality of positioning holes wherein said positioning holes fix a combination mechanism, as well as a first upper cover and a second upper cover to said base, said first side plate having openings, adjacent to said openings are concave arc surfaces located on said base plane, said concave arc surface comprising a spring hook located on the inner end thereof;; a combination mechanism comprising an axle encased by a spring, a number wheel assembly consisting of a plurality of number and sleeve wheels, a positioning hook with a lock tongue downwardly protruding therefrom, an elastic sheet and a push stem, all being assembled within a shell base, protruding ears located on the upper ends of said upper covers and comprise holes to allow the attachment of a handle thereto; a first upper cover comprising a first stud and a second stud which are fastened to said positioning holes located on said base of the lock base by screws, said first stud being inserted through the end hole of a left slide sheet;; a first press body, comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet riveted together, positioned within a square hole located on said first upper cover, an axle and a spring located in one end of said square hole, said axle and said spring being encased within one end of the press body, so that the opposite end of the press body is free to move;; a second upper cover comprising a first stud and a second stud which are fixed to said positioning holes located on said base by screws, said first stud inserted through the left end reversed L-shaped hook sheet trap hole located on the right slide sheet, a second press body comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet riveted together, said second press body located within a square hole located on said second upper cover, an axle and a spring located within one end of said square hole, said axle and said spring body being encased within one side of said press body, so that the opposite end of the press body is free to move; spring hooks located on the lower plane inner side of the concave arc surfaces adjacent to said openings located on the first side plate of said base;; a left slide sheet, comprising square holes on both ends thereof, a central hole with an protruding body located at one edge of said central hole, said protruding body linked via a spring to said spring hook, said hook being located on one side of said base; a central slide sheet, comprising an insertion hole, said insertion hole being of sufficient size thereby enabling the combination mechanism to be located therein, a block hole which engages with said lock tongue, on one side of the insertion hole is a through hole, the farther end of the through hole extends outwardly into a reversed L-shaped hook sheet; a right slide sheet, comprising an L-shaped hook sheet, a central hole, said central comprising an protruding body located on one end thereof, said protruding body is linked to a positioning hole located on said base via a spring and a square hole;; said first upper cover, comprising a sleeve cover encasing a cover main body, the outer end of said lower sheet of said press body comprising a block body downwardly protruding therefrom, said block body comprising a vertical plane on one side and a hook surface on the other, as well as a curved surface curving from the inner side to the outer side; said second upper cover, comprising a cover main body, said cover main body comprising an protruding sheet being downwardly offset, said protruding sheet comprising a slide hole, a push body, said push body comprising a downwardly protruding rectangular block body, said rectangular block body is inserted into said slide hole located on said protruding sheet, as well as through the central located on the right side of the central slide sheet; ; said second upper cover, comprising a block body downwardly protruding from the lower sheet of said press body, said block body comprising a vertical plane on one side thereof and a hook surface on the opposite side, as well as a curved surface curving from the inner side to the outer side, said hook body being orientated in the same direction as the hook body associated with the first upper cover.

4. A lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.