WO1998039540A1

WO1998039540A1 - Tamper-proof attachment for cable locks and the like

Info

Publication number: WO1998039540A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/004022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelius Mcdaid
Original assignee: Kryptonite Corporation
Priority date: 1997-03-04
Filing date: 1998-03-02
Publication date: 1998-09-11

Abstract

A tamper-proof attachment (20) for a portable article (38) by which a cable lock (22) may attach the article to a stationary location. The attachment comprises a shell (40) and a shouldered peg (42). The peg has a stem (52) that projects through an opening (44) in the shell for tight affixation to the article. The cable lock is threaded through openings (48, 50) in the shell in a manner that protects the peg from tampering. The shell is free to be swiveled about the stem without affecting the junction between the peg and the article.

Description

TAMPER-PROOF ATTACHMENT FOR CABLE LOCKS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cable locks and the like for securing movable articles to arbitrary locations and, more particularly, to tamper-proof attachments by which cable locks and the like may serve to secure movable articles, particularly portable articles, to posts, rails, furniture and other relatively immovable stations . Such articles may be as widely disparate as lap-top computers and snow boards. The Prior Art

A cable lock, as is well known in the art, typically comprises a length of tough, flexible cable and a locking system by which the cable may serve to safely tie an article to an arbitrary location. Typically, a cable lock includes a flexible cable that is formed of steel strands and a lock that includes as components, a body and a bolt. These components may be mated in various ways, e.g. (1) to tie looped sections of the cable about an accessible part of an article being secured, and/or (2) to join a section of the cable to an attachment that is affixed to the article being secured.

In the case of a bicycle or motorcycle, the locking system may achieve effective security by permitting the cable to be looped about framework struts or bars in a way that avoids the need for affixing a permanent attachment to the bicycle or motorcycle. But many smaller articles have no corresponding framework structure. Effectively securing such an article by a cable lock may require affixing an attachment to the article. Preferably, such an attachment should be visually unobtrusive, simple to construct, and easy to operate. Previously proposed cable attachments often have been unduly complex and costly. In some cases, the attachment is easily disabled merely by twisting until it is free from threaded engagement with the article being secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel attachment that improves the efficacy of cable locks and the like when securing movable articles, particularly small portable articles, against loss or misappropriation. The present invention contemplates affixing to such articles a cable-lock attachment that is simply constructed, easy to use, and protected from tampering when operational.

In a preferred form, the attachment of the present invention comprises a particular shell and a particular peg that interact in a novel manner with a cable and a portable article to be secured. The shell has concentric axial ports and opposed lateral ports. The concentric axial ports have different diameters, where the smaller axial port is positioned in proximity to a surface of the portable article. The peg is shouldered to provide a stem of relatively small diameter and a head of relatively large diameter. The entire peg fits through the larger axial port. The peg stem fits through the smaller axial port to be tightly fastened to the portable article. The stem is retained in one of several contemplated ways : by a screw extending through the peg and turned into a threaded socket in the article, by a threaded shank at the end of the stem turned into a threaded socket in the article, by a screw extending through an opening in the article and turned into a threaded bore in the stem, or by a shank extending from the article and turned into a threaded bore in the stem. The peg head, which cannot fit through the smaller axial port, loosely retains the shell in proximity to the portable article surface.

The arrangement is such that, when the attachment is operational in combination with a cable lock, i.e. when the cable is threaded through the shell's lateral ports, the shell is free for twisting about the peg stem because of its freedom from the peg head, external access to the peg head is denied because it is directly shielded by the cable from attack through the larger axial port, and twisting of the shell has no effect on the junction between the attachment and the portable article because of the shell's freedom to twist about the stem. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following specification, which is to be take in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of an attachment and cable lock combination embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment and cable lock shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components of one embodiment of the attachment;

Fig. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the attachment of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the components of another embodiment of the attachment;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the peg of the attachment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the components of another embodiment of the attachment;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the peg of the attachment of Fig. 7 and an associated threaded shank;

Fig. 9 is another perspective view of the peg of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a cable lock and attachment assemblage securing a laptop computer to a table in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a cable lock and attachment assemblage securing a snowboard to a fence in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows an attachment 20 in association with a cable lock generally shown at 22. The cable lock 22 comprises a flexible cable 24 that is composed of braided steel strands, and a lock 26 that includes a lock bolt 28 and a lock body 30. The lock body 30 includes a lock mechanism 32 and a keyway 33 in association with a key 34. As shown, one end of the cable is in the form of a permanent loop 35 and the other end of the cable is connected to the lock bolt 28.

Alternatively, the cable is replaced by a chain or other flexible tether. Ordinarily, the cable or chain is enclosed within a protective plastic sheath. In various alternative embodiments, the lock body and lock bolt take a variety of forms and are fastened to a variety of locations on the cable, chain, or other tether. The Embodiment of Figs . 3 and 4

The first embodiment of the attachment 20 is intended for connection to an internally threaded socket 36 that is retained in a sturdy part of the construction of a portable article 38. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the attachment comprises a shell 40, a cylindrical peg 42, and a screw 43.

The shell 40 has a pair of concentric axial ports 44, 46 of different diameters and a pair of opposed lateral ports 48, 50. The smaller axial port 44 is positioned proximate to the article's threaded socket 36 and the larger axial port 46 is positioned remotely from the threaded socket 36. The lateral ports 48, 50 are disposed along a transverse axis. Preferably, the shell 40 is a spheroid. Within the shell 40, the peg 42 is shouldered internally and externally to provide a stem 52 of relatively small internal and external diameter and a head 54 of relatively large internal and external diameter. The entire peg fits through the larger axial port 46. The stem 52 fits through the smaller axial port 44 and into tight contact with the threaded socket 36. The diameter of the head 54 is larger than the diameter of the smaller axial port 44. The axial length of the stem 52 is greater than the thickness of the shell 40 in its vicinity. The arrangement is such that the shell 40 can be swiveled freely about the stem 52 when the stem 52 is tightly fastened to the article at the threaded socket 36. The screw 43 fastens the shell 40 and peg 42 to the article 38. The screw 43 has a threaded shank 56 and a head 58 with a hex socket 59 for reception of a hex wrench. The screw 43 projects through the peg, where the shank 56 is turned into the threaded socket 36. The screw head 58 abuts tightly against the head 54 and clamps the free end 53 of the stem 52 against the region of the article surrounding the threaded socket 36.

Preferably, the shell 40, peg 42, and screw 43 are composed of hardened steel. They are sturdy enough to withstand all but the most severe deliberate mechanical deformation of the attachment.

Optionally, there is a resilient O-ring 57 encircling the stem 52 between the shell 40 and the article 38. The length of the stem 52 is such that the O-ring 57 is minimally compressed between the shell 40 and article 38, so that the shell 40 remains relatively free for swiveling about the stem 52. The O-ring 57 protects the article 38 against scrapes and other damage that could be caused by swiveling the shell 40. It also minimizes rattling caused by contact between the shell 40, peg 42, and article 38. The Embodiment of Figs . 5 and 6

The second embodiment of the attachment 70 is intended for connection to an internally threaded socket 36 that is retained in a sturdy part of the construction of a portable article 38. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the attachment 70 comprises a shell 90 and a cylindrical peg 92.

The shell 90 has a pair of concentric axial ports 94, 96 of different diameters and a pair of opposed lateral ports 98, 100. The smaller axial port 94 is positioned proximate to the article's threaded socket 36 and the larger axial port 96 is positioned remotely from the threaded socket 36. The lateral ports 98, 100 are disposed along a transverse axis. Preferably, the shell 90 is a spheroid. Within the shell 90, the peg 92 is shouldered externally to provide a head 102 of relatively large diameter, a medial stem 104 of relatively intermediate diameter, and a threaded shank 106 of relatively small diameter. The entire peg fits through the larger axial port 96. The stem 104 and shank 106 fit through the smaller axial port 94. The transverse diameter of the head 102 is larger than the diameter of the smaller axial port 94 so the head remains inside the shell 90. The head 102 has a hex socket 108 by which the shank 106 can be turned by a wrench into the threaded socket 36 until the stem 104 is held in tight contact with the threaded socket 36. The axial length of the stem 104 is greater than the thickness of the shell 90 in its vicinity so that the shell 90 can swivel freely about the stem 104 when the stem 104 is in tight contact with the threaded socket 36.

Preferably, the shell 90 and peg 92 are composed of hardened steel. They are sturdy enough to withstand all but the most severe deliberate mechanical deformation of the attachment.

Optionally, there is a resilient O-ring 107 encircling the stem 104 between the shell 90 and the article 38. The length of the stem 104 is such that the O-ring 107 is minimally compressed between the shell 90 and article 38, so that the shell 90 remains relatively free for swiveling about the stem 104. The O-ring 107 protects the article 38 against scrapes and other damage that could be caused by swiveling the shell 90. It also minimizes rattling caused by contact between the shell 90, peg 92, and article 38. The Embodiment of Figs . 7 to 9

The third embodiment of the attachment 110 is intended for mating with a threaded shank 111 that projects outwardly from a portable article to be secured. As shown in Figs. 7 through 9, the attachment 110 comprises a shell 112 and a cylindrical peg 114 therewithin.

The threaded shank 111 has several contemplated configurations. In one, shown in Fig. 8, the shank 111 is a screw 130 that has a cap 132 adapted for retention at the inner face of a wall of the portable article 38. In another, the shank 111 is a permanent component of the portable article 38.

The shell 112 has concentric axial ports 115, 116 of different diameters and opposed lateral ports 118, 120. The smaller axial port 115 is positioned proximate to the shank 111 projecting from the movable article. The larger axial port 116 is positioned remotely from the shank 111. The lateral ports 118, 120 are disposed along a transverse axis. Preferably, the shell 112 is a spheroid.

Within the shell 112, the peg 114 is shouldered externally to provide a head 122 of relatively large diameter and a stem 124 of relatively small diameter. The head 122 is provided with a hex socket 123 for reception of a hex wrench. The stem 124 has a threaded bore 126 for reception of the shank 111. The entire peg fits through the larger axial port 116. The stem 124 fits through the smaller port 115 and its bore 126 is turned into tight contact with the shank 111, preferably, such that the free end 127 of the stem 124 abuts the region of the article surrounding the shank 111. The transverse diameter of the head 122 is larger than the diameter of the smaller axial port 115. The axial length of the stem is greater than the thickness of the shell 112 in its vicinity so that the shell 112 can twist freely about the stem 124 when the stem 124 is held tightly by the shank 111. Preferably, the shell 112, peg 114, and shank 111 are composed of hardened steel. They are sturdy enough to withstand all but the most severe deliberate mechanical deformation of the attachment. Optionally, there is a resilient O-ring 129 encircling the stem 124 between the shell 112 and the article 38. The length of the stem 124 is such that the O-ring 129 is minimally compressed between the shell 112 and article 38, so that the shell 112 remains relatively free for swiveling about the stem 124. The O-ring 129 protects the article 38 against scrapes and other damage that could be caused by swiveling the shell 112. It also minimizes rattling caused by contact between the shell 112, peg 114, and article 38.

OPERATION The operation of the attachment and cable lock combination of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 illustrates a laptop computer 60, which has an internally threaded socket in or a threaded shank projecting from one of the walls of its housing. In accordance with the present invention, the attachment 20 is affixed to this socket in the manner described above for the particular embodiment. With the lock bolt 28 removed from the lock body 30, the lock bolt is threaded first through the loop 35 to tie the cable 24 to the leg of a table 64, then through the lateral ports in the shell of the attachment 20, and finally into engagement with the lock body 30. The lock body 30 is too bulky to slip through the lateral ports of the attachment 20.

Fig. 11 illustrates a snowboard 66, which has a plurality of internally threaded sockets 68 at its upper surface for connection to bindings and other accessories . In accordance with the present invention, the attachment 20 is affixed to an available socket in the manner described above for the particular embodiment. With the lock bolt 28 removed from the lock body 30, the lock bolt is threaded first through the loop 35 to tie the cable 24 to a rail or post, then through the lateral ports in shell 40, and finally into engagement with the lock body 30.

Each of these articles is protected from misplacement or misappropriation. The arrangement is such that the shell is free for swiveling about the peg because of its freedom from the peg's head, the hex socket in the screw head is directly shielded by the cable when the cable is threaded through the lateral ports in the shell, and swiveling of the shell has no effect on the junction between the attachment and the article.

Thus it has been shown and described a cable lock attachment which satisfies the objects set forth above.

Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A tether lock attachment comprising: (a) a shell and a peg; (b) said shell including a pair of first ports and a pair of second ports, said first ports including a smaller port and a larger port, said smaller port being adapted to be positioned proximate to a portable article; (c) said peg being shouldered to provide a stem of relatively small diameter and a head of relatively large diameter; (d) said peg fitting through said larger port into said shell, said stem having an axial length greater than the thickness of said shell at said smaller port and fitting through said smaller port for affixation to said article, and said head being of sufficient diameter to retain said shell in proximity to said article; (e) said shell being free for twisting about said stem; and (f) access to said head being substantially denied when a tether is threaded through said second ports.

2. The tether lock attachment of claim 1 wherein said peg has a bore with an internal shoulder and said peg includes a screw having a head and a shank, said screw head abutting against said internal shoulder and said shank projecting through said bore and adapted to turn into a threaded socket in said article.

3. The tether lock attachment of claim 1 wherein said peg integrally and sequentially includes said head, said stem, and a threaded shank, said shank being adapted for turning into a threaded socket in said article.

4. The tether lock attachment of claim 1 wherein said stem has an internally threaded bore adapted for reception of a threaded shank extending from said article.

5. The tether lock attachment of claim 1 wherein a resilient O-ring encircles said stem and separates said shell and said article when said stem is affixed to said article.

6. The tether lock attachment of claim 1 wherein said peg includes a tool socket for reception of a tool for affixing said stem to said article and access to said tool socket is denied when said tether is threaded through said second ports .

7. A tether lock attachment for use in combination with a tether lock, said attachment comprising: (a) a shell and a peg; (b) said shell including opposed axial ports and opposed lateral ports, said axial ports including a smaller port and a larger port, said smaller port being adapted to be positioned proximate to a portable article; (c) said peg being shouldered to provide a stem of relatively small diameter and a head of relatively large diameter; (d) said peg fitting through said larger axial port entirely into said shell, said stem having an axial length greater than the thickness of said shell at said smaller port and fitting through said smaller axial port for affixation to said article, and said head being of sufficient diameter to retain said shell in proximity to said article; (e) said shell being free for twisting about said stem; and (f) access to said head being denied when a tether is threaded through said lateral ports.

8. The tether lock attachment of claim 7 wherein said peg has a bore with an internal shoulder and said peg includes a screw having a head and a shank, said screw head abutting against said internal shoulder and said shank projecting through said bore and adapted to turn into a threaded socket in said article.

9. The tether lock attachment of claim 7 wherein said peg integrally and sequentially includes said head, said stem, and a threaded shank, said shank being adapted for turning into a threaded socket in said article.

10. The tether lock attachment of claim 7 wherein said stem has an internally threaded bore adapted for reception of a threaded shank extending from said article.

11. The tether lock attachment of claim 7 wherein a resilient O-ring encircles said stem and separates said shell and said article when said stem is affixed to said article.

12. The tether lock attachment of claim 7 wherein said peg includes a tool socket for reception of a tool for affixing said stem to said article and access to said tool socket is denied when said tether is threaded through said lateral ports .

13. A tether lock attachment and tether lock in combination, said combination comprising: (a) said attachment including a shell and a peg; (b) said tether lock including a tether and a lock; (c) said shell having a pair of first ports and a pair of second ports, said first ports including a smaller port and a larger port, said smaller port being adapted to be positioned proximate to a portable article; (d) said peg being shouldered to provide a stem of relatively small diameter and a head of relatively large diameter; (e) said peg fitting through said larger port into said shell, said stem having an axial length greater than the thickness of said shell at said smaller port and fitting through said smaller port for affixation to said article, said head being of sufficient diameter to retain said shell in proximity to said article; (f) said shell being free for twisting about said stem; and (g) access to said head being substantially when said tether is threaded through said lateral ports.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said peg has a bore with an internal shoulder and said peg includes a screw having a head and a shank, said screw head abutting against said internal shoulder and said shank projecting through said bore and adapted to turn into a threaded socket in said article.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein said peg integrally and sequentially includes said head, said stem, and a threaded shank, said shank being adapted for turning into a threaded socket in said article.

16. The combination of claim 13 wherein said stem has an internally threaded bore adapted for reception of a threaded shank extending from said article.

17. The combination of claim 13 wherein a resilient 0- ring encircles said stem and separates said shell and said article when said stem is affixed to said article.

18. The combination of claim 13 wherein said peg includes a tool socket for reception of a tool for affixing said stem to said article and access to said tool socket is denied when said tether is threaded through said second ports.

19. A tether lock attachment and tether lock combination, said combination comprising: (a) said attachment including a shell and a peg; (b) said tether lock including a tether and a lock; (c) said shell having concentric axial ports and opposed lateral ports, said axial ports including a smaller port and a larger port, said smaller port being adapted to be positioned proximate to a portable article; (d) said peg being shouldered to provide a stem of relatively small diameter and a head of relatively large diameter; (e) said peg fitting through said larger port entirely into said shell, said stem having an axial length greater than the thickness of said shell at said smaller port and fitting through said smaller port for affixation to said article, said head being of sufficient diameter to retain said shell in proximity to said article; (f) said shell being free for twisting about said stem; and (g) access to said head being denied when said tether is threaded through said lateral ports.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said peg has a bore with an internal shoulder and said peg includes a screw having a head and a shank, said screw head abutting against said internal shoulder and said shank projecting through said bore and adapted to turn into a threaded socket in said article.

21. The combination of claim 19 wherein said peg integrally and sequentially includes said head, said stem, and a threaded shank, said shank being adapted for turning into a threaded socket in said article.

22. The combination of claim 19 wherein said stem has an internally threaded bore adapted for reception of a threaded shank extending from said article.

23. The combination of claim 19 wherein a resilient 0- ring encircles said stem and separates said shell and said article when said stem is affixed to said article.

24. The combination of claim 19 wherein said peg includes a tool socket for reception of a tool for affixing said stem to said article and access to said tool socket is denied when said tether is threaded through said lateral ports.