US4773243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock protection mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-02-06
•
Granted: 1988-09-27
•
Expires: 2007-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A ganged co-axial tumbler lock mechanism is provided to lock a slideable shaft coupled to a keyhole cover. Setting the proper combination on the tumbler lock mechanism permits the shaft to be slid away from the cylinder lock, thus moving the keyhole cover away from the cylinder lock keyhole. Once the tumbler lock is opened, a user may set the tumbler lock mechansim to a different combination. The entire mechanism may be constructed as an add-on mechanism for use with existing keyed cylinder locks. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is integrally formed with a keyed cylinder lock for installation as an original lock.
Inventors
- 👤 Aleksandar Lukich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:44
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B17/00; E05B17/14; E05B17/145; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7915; Y10T70/7955; Y10T70/7966; Y10T70/80; Y10T70/8432; Y10T70/8649
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A keyhole protected lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object to be securely locked, the housing having an integral keyed cylinder primary lock for locking the object and having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a secondary co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; wherein the keyhole cover is pivotally mounted in the housing, and the shaft is coupled to the keyhole cover by means of a linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the shaft, and pivotally coupled at the other end to the keyhole cover, such that the keyhole cover can be rotated between its closed position and its open position when the shaft is slid between its first position and its second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A keyhole protected lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object to be securely locked, the housing having an integral keyed cylinder primary lock for locking the object and having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a secondary co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; wherein the keyhole cover is pivotally mounted in the housing, and the shaft is coupled to the keyhole cover by means of a linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the shaft, and pivotally coupled at the other end to the keyhole cover, such that the keyhole cover can be rotated between its closed position and its open position when the shaft is slid between its first position and its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
243 words
A keyhole cover lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object in which a keyed cylinder lock is located, the housing having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; wherein the keyhole cover is pivotally mounted in the housing, and the shaft is coupled to the keyhole cover by means of a linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the shaft, and pivotally coupled at the other end to the keyhole cover, such that the keyhole cover can be rotated between its closed position and its open position when the shaft is slid between its first position and its second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
243 words
A keyhole cover lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object in which a keyed cylinder lock is located, the housing having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; wherein the keyhole cover is pivotally mounted in the housing, and the shaft is coupled to the keyhole cover by means of a linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the shaft, and pivotally coupled at the other end to the keyhole cover, such that the keyhole cover can be rotated between its closed position and its open position when the shaft is slid between its first position and its second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
228 words
A keyhole protected lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object to be securely locked, the housing having an integral keyed cylinder primary lock for locking the object and having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a secondary co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; and (e) a bias spring coupled to the housing and the shaft, wherein the shaft is spring biased so as to automatically move from its first, secure position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to an unlocked position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
228 words
A keyhole protected lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object to be securely locked, the housing having an integral keyed cylinder primary lock for locking the object and having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a secondary co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; and (e) a bias spring coupled to the housing and the shaft, wherein the shaft is spring biased so as to automatically move from its first, secure position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to an unlocked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
214 words
A keyhole cover lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object in which a keyed cylinder lock is located, the housing having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; and (e) a bias spring coupled to the housing and the shaft, wherein the shaft is spring biased so as to automatically move from its first, secure position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to an unlocked position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
214 words
A keyhole cover lock comprising: (a) a housing adapted to be secured to an object in which a keyed cylinder lock is located, the housing having an opening allowing access to the keyhole of the keyed cylinder lock; (b) a co-axial tumbler lock mechanism located in the housing and having a co-axial shaft slidably movable between a first secure position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to a locked position, and a second position when the tumbler lock mechanism combination is set to an unlocked position; (c) means for slidably moving the shaft from its first position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is unlocked; (d) a keyhole cover movably located in the housing and coupled to the shaft, the keyhole cover being movable between (1) a closed position covering the keyhole when the shaft is in its first position, preventing access to the keyhole, and (2) an open position uncovering the keyhole when the shaft is moved to its second position, allowing access to the keyhole; and (e) a bias spring coupled to the housing and the shaft, wherein the shaft is spring biased so as to automatically move from its first, secure position to its second position when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to an unlocked position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lock of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the combination of the tumbler lock mechanism is resettable when the tumbler lock mechanism is set to an unlocked position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lock of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further including a ratchet mechanism in contact with the tumbler lock mechanism such that the combination wheels of the tumbler lock mechanism can be rotated only in one direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lock of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further including a light means mounted within the housing for illuminating the combination wheels of the tumbler lock mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lock of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further including a light means mounted within the housing for illuminating the exposed keyhole when the keyhole cover is moved into its open position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR23372E
Cited
US4327566A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |