Patent US3754418A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3754418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-27
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1992-07-27
Abstract
Abstract Lock apparatus suitable for various uses but particularly disclosed for locking bicycles, comprising a generally U-shaped member adapted to extend around at least one article to be secured by the apparatus and having coaxial openings near the open ends of its spaced arms. An arm of the U-shaped member slidably and non-rotatably carries a locking pin that can be manually pushed to an extended position where it projects from the inside of the arm in which it is mounted and that is springloaded to bias it in the opposite retracted position. A closure bar has spaced external portions adapted to engage and be firmly secured in the openings in the arms of the U-shaped member when the bar is properly located and rotated; when so positioned, the bar extends across and closes the open end of the U-shaped member and is firmly secured in the arms. The bar must be rotated to release it from the arm openings so the bar can be slid axially in the arms to open the U-shaped member. The bar carries, at an end outside of the U-shaped member, a lock case having a known internal locking mechanism adapted to be actuated to unlocking condition by a key or other unlocking means. The lock case has an opening into which the locking pin can extend and be secured by the locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the bar, when the lock casing is positioned with its opening aligned with the pin. Exposed parts are formed of metal resistant to cutting, breaking, bending, or other forcing to open the lock apparatus. The arm openings and bar engaging portions are threaded in one disclosed embodiment; in another they form bayonet type connections.
Inventors
- 👤 P Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:07
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B71/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/402; Y10T70/409; Y10T70/413; Y10T70/437; Y10T70/439
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
Locking apparatus comprising a rigid generally U-shaped member comprising spaced first and second arms joined at one end of the member and having free ends at the other end of said member, which free ends of said arms are spaced from each other, said first ar having at a location thereon spaced from the closed end of said U-shaped member an opening extending through said arm, and said second arm having at a location thereon spaced from said closed end of said U-shaped member an opening aligned with said opening through said first arm; an elongated closure member adapted to extend through said opening of said first arm into said opening of said second arm and to be firmly and essentially rigidly connected to both of said arms at said openings by rotation of said elongated member to form with said generally Ushaped member a structure enitirely surrounding a space in which may be disposed an article to be secured; a lock case rigidly mounted on said elongated closure member at the side of said first arm opposite its side that faces said second arm, said lock case having a face adapted to be located in close proximity to the adjacent side of said first arm, said lock case having therein locking mechanism and an opening in said face of said lock case communicating with said locking mechanism; a locking pin mounted in said first arm for movement between a retracted position in which the end of said locking pin adjacent said lock case clears said lock case and an extended position in wh1ch said end of said locking pin projects into said opening in said lock case and is engaged in locking relation with said locking mechanism in said lock case; and means associated with said lock case for actuating said locking mechanism therein to release said locking pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
Locking apparatus comprising a rigid generally U-shaped member comprising spaced first and second arms joined at one end of the member and having free ends at the other end of said member, which free ends of said arms are spaced from each other, said first ar having at a location thereon spaced from the closed end of said U-shaped member an opening extending through said arm, and said second arm having at a location thereon spaced from said closed end of said U-shaped member an opening aligned with said opening through said first arm; an elongated closure member adapted to extend through said opening of said first arm into said opening of said second arm and to be firmly and essentially rigidly connected to both of said arms at said openings by rotation of said elongated member to form with said generally Ushaped member a structure enitirely surrounding a space in which may be disposed an article to be secured; a lock case rigidly mounted on said elongated closure member at the side of said first arm opposite its side that faces said second arm, said lock case having a face adapted to be located in close proximity to the adjacent side of said first arm, said lock case having therein locking mechanism and an opening in said face of said lock case communicating with said locking mechanism; a locking pin mounted in said first arm for movement between a retracted position in which the end of said locking pin adjacent said lock case clears said lock case and an extended position in wh1ch said end of said locking pin projects into said opening in said lock case and is engaged in locking relation with said locking mechanism in said lock case; and means associated with said lock case for actuating said locking mechanism therein to release said locking pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for biasing said locking pin toward its retracted position; and means for preventing said locking pin from pulling out of said first arm when it is in said retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said locking pin carries on the end thereof at the side of said first arm that faces sid second arm retainer means that is rigidly fixed on said pin but will remove from said pin in the event an attempt is made by acting on said retainer means to force said locking pin to its retracted position when it is locked in said case by the locking mechanism therein; spring means operating between said first arm and said retainer means for biasing said locking pin toward its retracted position; and means for preventing said locking pin from pulling out of said first arm when it is in said retracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said locking pin carries on the end thereof at the side of said first arm that faces said second arm cap means that is rigidly fixed on said pin but will remove from said pin in the event an attempt is made by acting on said cap means to force said locking pin to its retracted position when it is locked in said case by the locking mechanism therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said locking pin has the end therof carrying said cap means formed so it is substantially flush with the surface of said first arm when said locking pin is in its extended position and said cap means is removed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said locking pin has means at its end porton nearest said lock case for engagement with said locking mechanism in said lock case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said locking pin has a notch near its extendable end that is adapted to engage locking mechanism in said lock case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said openings in said first and second arms that are adapted to be engaged by said elongated closure member are internally threaded, and in which the elongated closure member has a threaded portion with an external thread thereon adapted to match and firmly and rigidly engage the threads in each of said openings and to permit said elongated member to be rotated until said lock case is located with its face in close proximity to said first arm and said opening in said lock case is aligned and in a position in which said locking pin can be extended therein into locking engagement with the locking mechanism in said lock case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in wich said elongated closure member has two axially spaced threaded portions on which each thread has a root diameter at least as great as the maximum cross sectional dimension of said closure member between said external threaded portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said openings in said first and second arms that are adapted to be engaged by said elongated closure member is a female portion of a bayonet connection; and in which the elongated closure member has a portion with a male portion of a bayonet connection thereon adapted to match and firmly engage the female bayonet connection portion of each associated one of said openings and to permit said elongated member to be rotated until said lock case is located with its face in close proximity to said first arm and said opening in said lock case is aligned and in a position in which said locking pin can be extended therein into locking engagement with the locking mechanism in said lock case.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said elongated closure member has two axially spaced bayonet connection portions and in which the portion between said bayonet connection portions is a cross section small enough to pass axially without rotating through the opening in said first member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for actuating said locking mechanism to release said locking pin is key operated means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for actuating said locking mechanism in said locking case to release said locking pin is combination means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
256 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said locking pin is so proportioned that when it is in its retracted position its end adjacent said lock case is substantially flush with the adjacent surface of said first arm and when in its extended position the other end of said locking pin is substantially flush with the other surface of said first arm and which said locking pin carries at said other end a cap means that is fixed to said locking pin means causing removal of said cap means in the event an attempt is made by acting on said cap means to force the locking pin to its retracted position when it is locked in said locking case; in which apparatus comprises spring means operating between said cap means and said first arm to bias said locking pin to its retracted position; means for preventing said locking pin from pulling out of said first arm when in its retracted position; and in which apparatus said openings in said first and second arms adapted to receive said elongated closure member have internal means and said elongated closure member has external means adapted to engage and match said internal means of said first and second arm to make firm and essentially rigid connections with said first and second arms when said elongated member has been rotated until it is positioned where said surface of sAid lock case facing said first arm is closely adjacent to said first arm and has its lock aligned with said locking pin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which said internal means in said arm openings and said external means on said closure member are helical threads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which said internal means in said arm openings and said external means on said closure member are mating bayonet connection portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |