US2325349A - Garment locking or antitheft device - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1943. s, s. VINEBERG 2,325,349

GARMENT LOCKING OR ANTI-THEFT DEVICE Filed July 10, 194.

INYENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented July 27, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT." :oF ic f.

7 2,325,349 GARMENT LOCKING or. ANTiITHEFT nnvlcr. s me-e1 s. vinebergninr o, N. Y. Application July 10, 1941, Serial bio-401,773

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a garment looking or anti-theft device intended to be locked onto garments or otherarticles so as to prevent or discourage the theft thereof, as by indicating by its attachment to the garment or article that the use or possession ofthe-article is unauthorized.

The objects of the invention are to provide a handy and desirable device which is-adapted to:

be carried by the, owner and to be locked on an article, or to be used .to lock two articles, such as a hat and coat, together whereby the device can be removed therefrom only by the owner or person having the key or information necessary to unlock the device; to make the device of small and attractive form andappearanceadapting it to be worn as'a-charm or pendant on the person of the owner; to provide a device of the character mentioned comprising clamping or fastening means for securely attaching it to garments or other articles, and a combinationlock for the clamping or fastening means which prevents the detachment of the device from the article except by a person knowing the lock combination'; to

provide the device with a combination lock of simple construction which canbe readily set by the owner to a particular combination known only to himself; and to provide the device with clamps orfasteners for attachmentto two different articles, and actuating mechanism which operates theclamps or fasteners with an equalizing action, whereby they may be securely fastened to articles which may diifer'in form, thickness or kind.

Further objects and advantages of thefinventionwill appear from the following specification of the different embodiments of the invention, shown in the;accompanyingdrawing, and the novel features ofthe invention are set forth in the appended claims.-. i I In said drawing: a

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, on'a reduced scale, showingthe use of the device for securing together a hat and coat.; a

Fig. 2is a front elevation somewhat enlarged, of the device, illustrating how the same can be usedv for holding a hat or other garment on a garment hook. c a

Fig. 3 is a rear-elevation ofthe device.

Figs. land, 5, arelongitudinal, sectional plans on a still larger scale-on lines 4 4 and '5-5, re-

spectively,Fig.3. y 1 ,1

Fig-6 is a transverse, sectional elevation thereof on line 66, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an inverted, sectional elevation there' of on line l 1, Fig.6. 7 c

Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively an elevation and a sectional plan of means of modified construction for actuating the clamps or fasteners of the device. L

Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively'an elevation and a sectional ,plan of another modification of theclamp actuating means.., 1 l

Fig. 12 is a sectionalview of still another modification of the actuating means.

The devicecomprises a body or casing l 5,-pref-, erably of small, rectangular and relatively thin shape, which may be composed of front and back sections liand ll'having marginal fiangesior walls-suitably secured together with their marginal flanges abutting edge-to edge to form the hoilow casing.- g x Mounted on the casing, for instance on its rear side, are clamping or fastening means, preferably comprising two clamp elements I8 and l9,-one suitably hinged at 23 at one end of the casing and the other hinged at 2| at the opposite end of, the casing. Each of these clamp elements is adapted to be actuated to'clamp or grip an ar-' ticle, as for instance, the collar of a coat or" the brim of a hat, between the free end of the ele-, ment and an opposed jaw or part on the casing. Preferablyan opening 22 is provided in the back wall of the casing opposite the free end of each clamp element, which end 23 is offset or protrudes toward the opening so that when the clamp element is forcibly closed, the portion of an article gripped between said end and the, jaw formed by the opposed part of the casing will be more or less wedged into the opening 22 and securely gripped'and held. An'opening 24 may also, bemade in the innersideof the end of the clamp element for a like reason. The clampelements are shown as being'made of channel form in cross'section so that they will be strong and rigid, notwithstanding. that they may be small andoflightweight. .i

- Theclamp elements are operated for forcibly moving their free ends toward the casing for. tightly gripping the article, by actuating mechanism which, in the construction'shown in Figs. 4-7, comprises two links 25 whichi'are' pivotally connected at their adjacent endsto the clamp elements l8 and 19 and to each other; and at their other or distantends arelpivoted to two nuts 23 engaging oppositely threaded portions of a rotatable screw shaft 21; This shaft is suitably journalled in bearings 28at the opposite ends of the casing and has one endextending out'of the casing and provided with a knob or part zfi -for turning the shaft; By turning the shaft in one direction, the links are collapsed and the clamp elements are opened or moved away from the casing, and by turning the shaft in the opposite direction, the links are spread apart and the clamp elements drawn forcibly toward the casing. ,The links 25 shown are of channel shape in cross section to make them stiff and strong, and the pivot 30 which connects the adjacent ends of the links together and to the two clamp elements preferably fits loosely or has some play in its bearing holes in the links and in the clamp elements. This gives an equalizing action of the clamp elements, whereby they may move more or less differentially and will act properly if the device is applied to onlylone article, or if the articles being gripped by the or points 44 adapted to enter the holes 22 in the back wall of the casing opposite the free ends of the clamp elements. These spring plates 43 have cam portions 45 between their attached and free ends which are engaged and moved by the nuts in the last portion of the clamp-closing movement of the nuts, to project the toothed ends of the jaws into or more or less through the openings 22. When the jaws are thus projected and the articles. gripped bythe clamps, the fine teeth or points onjaws will engage or penetrate the material of the garments or articles so that the latter cannot be pulled out of the closed clamps without tearing or mutilating the articles.

two clamps are of different thicknesses, the

clamps will nevertheless grip: the articles with substantially equal pressure and securely hold both.

The links extend through a. slot 3 r in the back wall of. the casing and are so positioned relatively thereto that when they have drawn the free ends of the clamp elements nearly to the limit of their inward: movement, the links will: engage the opposfte end edges of the opening 3| and continued closing movement of the shaft and nuts will cause the links to fulcrum: on said. edges of the slot and to be thereby crammed or levered inwardly or toward the screw shaft, which will increase the closing pressmreen the clamp elements,

The means for actuating the links 25 to opcrate the clamps could be of other construction the: scope of my invention. For instance, as shown in Fig. 12, separate alinedscrew shafts 21c screw threads for the nuts 26* of like direction and arranged to berotated in: opposite directions by interconnecting gearing, such as a crown gear pinion 32 meshing with pinions 33' on the adjacent ends of the shafts", could be employed. The adjacentends of the shafts may be journallect in bearmg holes in the axle block for the crown gears When one shaft 21a is retated, as by the knob on" its other end,the other shaft willbe oppositely rotated, so that the nuts will be moved toward-Lei from: each other, as in the construction first described.

Fight and 9 show another modification of the link actuating means which comprises a'rotatable operating shaft 34 carrying a pinion 35 which mesheswith toothed; racks 35 arranged to mesh with the pinion at its opposite. sides; The two racks are pivotaliy connected tothe distant ends of the: links 25 and operate byturning theshait l in one'or the other direction to spread or collapse the links, a .7

Still another rn'odificaiti'o'n of the actuating mechanism is shown i n"FiS;- 10- and: 11, comprising a crown. gear 37' which is geared to the rotatable operating shaft 38 and 'i-s provided with oppositely disposed cam: slots 39 in which engage studs on. two blocks 48 arranged to move toward and from each! other in. guideslots 4i in a stationary' plate: 420x11 which the crown gear is iournailed The slide blocks is are: pivoted to the distant endsof the links 25 and rotation of the operating shaft and: crown wheel in one or the other dir'ectiomacts to spread or collapsev the links.

Preferablmto'oth'ed jaws 43' cooperate with the clamp-elements l8,, IS-toi grip the articles. These jaws, as shown, are formed by spring metal plates riveted. to the inside; of the back wall of the easin: and having out-bent ends: with sharp teeth The jaw teeth are"- deflected inwardly or rearwardly, and when they are projected, barely protrude beyond the outer face of the back wall of the case, so that unless it is attempted to forcibly pull the articles out of the clamps Without opening the clamps, the teeth will not penetrate the material of the articles sufficiently to mar or disfigure them, but an attempt topull an article from a closed clamp will cause the teeth to sink further into the material and take a firm hold thereon. When the clamps are opened and the nuts disengaged from the cams on the jaws, the latter are retracted by their own resilience, so

that the teeth will not engage articleswhen at- The device is equipped with locking means by which. the clampscanv be locked in their closed or holding position so that they cannot be released except by a prescribed unlocking action of the lock; Preferably a combination lock is provided for this purpose, which may be constructed as follows: a

it represents combination wheels rotatably mounted; in the casing.-- Preferably there are four of these wheels arranged pairs at opposite sides of the. operating shaft 21. Each wheel is provided with a peripheral notch 41, and the shaft 2? is-provide'd with projecting cross pins orstuds 48 between eachpair of wheels. If the wheels are turnedto the position shown in Fig. 7,. in which the notches of each pair of wheels face: each.other in" the plane of rotation of the related cross p'm the-latter can enter the notches and; thus permit the rotation of the operating shaft, whereas if any one of the wheels is in a position: with its notchout of registration with the related cross pingthe' pin will strike the wheel and thus prevent rotation of the shaft; Thus, all of the wheels haveto be set to a predeterminedydefinite position topermit rotation of the shaft for releasing the clamps As shown, the wheels are fixed to or formed with rivets or axles 49 whiohbear and areadapted to'rotate in holes in the front and back walls of the casing, each rivet having heads to retain the wheels in place; One head-5E oneach rivetis provided with a pointer cooperating with 'dial numbers, letters or the 'like 5! surrounding the head on the front face of the casing. These pointer heads are intended to be securedon the several wheel rivets in difierentangular' relations towheel notches lli, so that each pointer must be" turn-ed to a particular dial number to place the combination wheels in position to permit'rotat'ion of the operating shaft.

Inorder. to enable the owner to set the mechanism to a combination known onlyto himself,

the pointer heads 50 are left loose on the wheel rivets when the device is assembled; or before his sold to the purchaser, and after purchase, the owner can set the pointer heads relatively to the wheels to any dial numbers which hemay wish, while the combination wheels are held in the unlocking position shown in Fig. 7. If the pointer heads are th n fixed on the wheel rivets in thesepositions, and the' Combination wheels are turned by means of the pointer headsout of registering -or' unlocking position, the operating shaft cannot be-turned until the wheels are againreturned to the unlocking position indicated by the registration of the pointers with the selected dial members. A; convenient way-of enabling the pointer heads to-be fixed in the positions desired by the useryis to make the'heads so that they can be secured by a driving fit on the rivets. Thepointer heads being initially loose on the rivets'in thedevice as assembled, the owner can turn them onthe rivets to the positions necessary for the selected combination and then fix the heads thereon simply by driving or =riveting the heads tightly on the rivets'b'y striking with a hammer. Spring friction washers 52 are shown surrounding the rivets 49 between the faces of the combinationwheels' and the opposite walls of the casing for the purpose of offering sufficient resistance to the turning of the wheels to prevent unintentional rotation thereof.

In order'to retain the combination wheels'in the registering or unlocking position shown in Fig. 7 until the owner adjusts the pointer heads to the desired combination, as explained, a cotter pin 53 may be'inserted into a transverse hole in the operating shaft 21 through registering holes 54 in the casing; The hole in the shaft is so disposed that when the cotter pin is inserted therein, it will hold the shaft with its cross pins 4! in 'thenotches of the combination wheels, to thus temporarily secure the parts in the unlock ing position. i This pin thus holds the parts stationary inpo'sition for setting the pointer heads to the desired combination on the combination .wheelsand, after the pointer heads have been set, the cotter pin is "removed so as to free the parts and permit the normal operation of the locking mechanism.

The device, which is made of small size, pref erably smaller than shown in Fig. 2, and of ornamental design, adapting it to be conveniently carried or worn on the person, may be' provided with a suspension chain and conventional split or snap ring 55 enabling the device to be secured in a buttonhole or other part of the owners apparel and worn by him as a pendant or locket. The snap ring is preferably large enough to adapt it to be engaged over the usual garment hook, sothat the device can be clamped on a hat, for instance, and hung on the hook by means of the snap ring, and thus lessen the possibility of the hat being accidentally knocked down and soiled. The device can be used in various ways to protect-garments or articles from theft. example, it can be clamped and locked to a hat and coat to lock the two together, as illustrated in Fig. 1, thus preventing their normal use unless the device is unlocked and detached from the garments. Or it can be locked on a single hat, or other garment or article, and since it cannot be detached without mutilating the article, ex-

combination, it will serves to show, by. the fact For of its conspicuous-presence on the article; that the use of the article isunauthorized.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. A'device for the purpose described comprising a casing, a clamp element movably mounted on and cooperating therewith to grip and hold an article between the casing and said clamp element, an operating member for the clamp element arranged in said casing and having an exposed portion for operating it, said operating member being movable relatively to and operativelyconnected with saidclamp element for forcibly moving the latter to grip the article, and means for locking said operating member from releasing movement-comprising a rotatable lock element hidden in said casing adjacent said operating member," said member and lock element having interengageable parts which engage and lock said operating member from movement except when said element is moved to a predetermined unlocking positionya part at the exterior of said casing and connected to said lock element for moving it, and means 'cooperating' with s'aid part to indicate when said lock element is in said unlocking position.

2. A device'f'o'r the purpose described comprising a body, a clamp element mounted on said body for movement toward and from the same, and operating mechanism ior said clamp element comprising links pivotally connected to said element, a rotatable operating shaft, and means operatively connecting said shaft to said links for spreading and" collapsing said links to move said clamp element toward and from said body.

3. A device for the purpose described comprising a body, a clamp element mounted on said body for movement toward and from the same, and operating mechanism forsaid clamp element comprising parts movable toward and from each other, a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said parts for moving them toward and from each other by opposite rotations of said shaft, and oppositelyextending links pivotally connected at their distantends to said parts and at their adjacentends to said clamp element.-

4. A devicefor the purpose described compris ing a body, aclamp element mountedon said body 'for'movement toward and from the'same, and operating mechanism for said'clamp element comprising oppositely extending'links pivoted at their adjacent ends to said clamp element, an operating member connected to the distant ends of said links for spreading and collapsing said links. to move said c1amp-element toward and from said body, and fixed parts on said body on which the links bear and ride when spreading the links for levering said clamp element toward said body.

5. A device of the character described comprising a body, aclamp member mounted on said body for movement toward and from the same, a rotatable shaft having oppositely arranged screw threads, nuts engaging said threads so as to be moved toward and from each other by rotating said shaft in opposite directions, and oppositely extending links connected at their distant ends to said nuts and at their adjacent ends to said clamp member.

6. A device of the character described comprising a body, a clamp member mounted on said body for movement toward and from the same, actuating means for said clamp member mounted on said body, said body having a. hole opposite the clamping end of said clamp member, and a jaw in said body having pointed teeth arranged to project into saidhole for cooperating with said clamp member to hold said article, i 7. A device of the character described comprising a body, a clamp member mounted on said body for movement toward and from the same, actuating meansfor said clamp member mounted on saidbody, said body having a hole opposite the clamping end of, said clamp member, and a jaw in said body having pointed teeth located opposite said hole, and means whereby said operating mechanism acts to project said teeth into said hole for cooperation with said clamp member to hold said article. 8. A device for the purpose describedcomprising a body, clamp members mounted on said body for movement toward and from the body, oppositely extending links pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends, an operating Inemberoperatively connected to the distant endsof links for spreading and collapsing said links, and an equalizing connection between the pivoted adjacent ends. of the links and said clamp members.

9.. A device for the purpose described comprising a body, clamp members, one-hinged to each n of the opposite ends of said body and arranged side by side, oppositely extending links pivotally connected at their adjacent ends, and an operating member operatively connected to the dis tant ends of said links for spreading and colment, an operating member for said clamp ole-V V ment arranged in the casing parallel with the opposite broad side walls of the casing and having an exposed portion for operating it, and

means for locking said operating member and a clamp element from movement comprising a'rotatable lock wheel located inthe casing flatwise between the opposite broad side walls of the easing at one side of said operating member, said operating member and. lock wheel having parts which engage and lock said member from movement except whensaid wheel is: turned to a predetermined unlocking position, a part at the exteriorof said casingand connected to said lock wheel for turning it, and; m ans cooperating with said part'to indicate when said lock wheel is in said unlocking position! 1 t l1. A device for the purpose described comprising a casing of, relatively elongated broad shallow shape, a clamp element movably mounted on and extending lengthwise of said casing and cooperating therewith to grip and hold an article between the casing and said clamp element, a rotatable shaft extending lengthwise in said casing andhaving one end exposed at one end of the casing for turning the shaft, clamp-actuating connections between said shaft and said clamp element, and means for locking said shaft and clamp element from article-releasing movement comprising a rotatable lock wheel located in the casing flatwise between the opposite broad side walls of the casing at one side of said shaft, said shaft and lock wheel having parts which engage and lock said shaft from rotation except when said wheel is turned to a predetermined unlocking position, a part at the exterior of said casing and connected to said lock wheel for turning it, and means cooperating with said part to indicate when said lock wheel is in said unlocking position 12. A device for the purpose described comprising a casing of relatively elongated broad shallow shape, a clamp element movably mounted on and extending lengthwise of said casing and cooperating therewith to grip and hold an article between the casing and said clamprelement, a rotatable shaft extending lengthwise in said casing and having one end exposed at one end of the casing for turning the shaft, clamp-actuating connections between said shaft and said clamp element, and means for locking said shaft and clamp element from article-releasing'movement comprising rotatable lock wheels located in the casing at opposite sides of said shaft, said shaft and lock wheels having parts which en age and lock said shaft from rotation except when said wheels are turned to predetermined unlocking positions, parts at the-exterior of the casing and connected to said wheels for turning them, and means cooperating with said parts to indicate when said wheels are in said unlocking positions.

' articles.

l3. A device for the purpose described comprising a body, plural clamp members movably mounted on said body and each arranged to cooperate with the body to separately grip and hold a different article between itself and the body, a common operating member for said plural clamp members, and means operatively connecting said operating member to said clamp members and including an equalizing connection, whereby said clamp members are actuated with an equalizing action in gripping the different SAMUEL S. VINEBERG.

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