Lock

Abstract

The present application provides a lock with a twistable cable that can be twisted into and held in an X-shaped cross state. In addition, the lock also has a combination lock mechanism, a resilient member and a key lock mechanism. The resilient member includes a plurality of arc-shaped resilient pieces that each elastically abuts against a plurality of number wheels of the combination lock mechanism. The key lock mechanism includes a key lock cylinder, a stopper and a push block. When the key lock cylinder is rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position, the stopper is followed to move away from a blocking position to no longer block a lower section at one end of the twistable cable from moving in a direction, and the push block is followed to move to a pushing position to push the lower section to move in the direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the structure of locks. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, due to the need for baggage inspection, a double-lock lock has emerged, with US7251965B2 being a typical example. It has two locking mechanisms inside, one of which can be used by a customs baggage inspector to unlock or lock, and the other can be used by a user to unlock or lock. Figure 16 This illustrates a double-lock lock 9 used on a suitcase 8 in a locked state. In this state, its cable 91 passes through holes 811 on the two zipper tabs 81 of the suitcase 8, and the two connecting parts 911 of the cable 91 are inserted into holes 921 on the lock housing 92. However, during transport, the lock housing 92 of the lock 9 may experience violent jumping or swinging. In this case, the cable 91 will transmit a considerable amount of torque to the two zipper tabs 81, which will eventually damage them. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a lock comprising a lock housing and a cable portion. The lock housing includes a first side shell having two narrow holes. The cable portion includes a twistable cable and two connecting portions. Each connecting portion includes an upper section, a lower section, and a middle section located between the upper and lower sections. The two upper sections are respectively connected to the two ends of the twistable cable. The outer diameters of the two lower sections are respectively larger than the widths of the two narrow holes, and the outer diameters of the two middle sections are respectively smaller than the widths of the two narrow holes. When the lower sections of the two connecting portions of the cable portion are respectively located below the two narrow holes, the twistable cable of the cable portion forms a closed space with the first side shell of the lock housing, and the twistable cable can be directly twisted into an X-shaped crossing state while the closed space still exists and remains in this X-shaped crossing state.

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the twistable cable of the present invention includes two long sections that connect the two connecting portions and an intermediate section located between the two long sections. When the twistable cable of the cable portion forms the enclosed space with the first side shell of the lock housing, the intermediate section is bent and the two long sections are tilted outwards, such that the area of ​​the enclosed space near the lock housing is smaller than the area of ​​the enclosed space away from the lock housing.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the twistable cable of the present invention includes two long segments respectively connecting the two connecting portions and an intermediate segment located between the two long segments. When the twistable cable is twisted to the X-shaped cross state, the intermediate segment is bent, and the two long segments cross at a cross point. The cross point is farther away from the intermediate segment and closer to the lock housing.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, when the twistable cable of the present invention is in the X-shaped cross state, the two upper sections have tilted towards the middle and are inclined in different directions.

[0007] The present invention also provides a lock, comprising a locking member and a number lock mechanism. The locking member is for passing through a locked object. The number lock mechanism is for controlling the movement of the locking member and includes a plurality of number wheels and a resilient member. Each number wheel has a plurality of blocks and a plurality of shallow grooves, each block having a recognition component, and each shallow groove being located between two adjacent blocks. The resilient member is located next to the number lock mechanism and includes a base plate and a plurality of elastic plates. The plurality of elastic plates are correspondingly arranged one-to-one with the plurality of number wheels, each elastic plate being connected to one side of the base plate, and each elastic plate having a locking block at each end, each locking block being able to engage with each shallow groove of the number wheel.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the base sheet and the plurality of elastic sheets of the present invention are a single piece.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, each elastic sheet of the present invention protrudes from the base sheet and is arc-shaped.

[0010] The present invention also provides a lock comprising a key cylinder and a drive unit. The key cylinder is rotatable by a key. The drive unit includes a stop, an extension rod, a coupling block, and a push block. The coupling block is formed at one end of the extension rod and coupled to the key cylinder, such that when the key cylinder is rotated, the coupling block and the extension rod rotate together. The stop and the push block are formed at the other end of the extension rod, with the push block located beside the stop.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, one end of the push block of the present invention is tapered.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the stop block and the push block of the present invention are connected to form an L-shape. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, the shapes and proportions of the components in the drawings are merely illustrative to aid in understanding the invention and do not specifically limit the shapes and proportions of the components. Those skilled in the art, guided by the teachings of this invention, can select various possible shapes and proportions to implement the invention according to specific circumstances.

[0014] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the lock of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2This shows a top view of a lock case 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This shows a longitudinal section view of the lock case 1 cut open according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This invention shows a perspective view of a twistable cable 21 twisted into an X-shaped cross-section, and a longitudinal section view of the lock case 1 cut open at this point.

[0019] Figure 7 This shows a perspective view of an elastic sheet 42 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 This shows a side view of the elastic sheet 42 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a top view showing the operation of the elastic sheet 42 in conjunction with a number wheel 32 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 10 to 12 This diagram illustrates the opening and closing action of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using multiple numbered wheels 32.

[0023] Figures 13 to 15 This diagram illustrates the opening and closing actions of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using a valid key 6.

[0024] Figure 16 This diagram shows the usage status of an existing lock 9. (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram.)

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] Lock Case 1

[0027] First side shell 11, upper side wall 111

[0028] Wide hole 112 Narrow hole 113

[0029] Second side shell 12 Third side shell 13

[0030] Cable section 2

[0031] Twistable cable 21, vertex 210

[0032] Connecting part 22, upper section 221

[0033] Middle section 222 Lower section 223

[0034] Number lock mechanism 3

[0035] Lock assembly 31, movable lever 311

[0036] Support block 312 Stop block 313

[0037] Compression spring 314

[0038] Number wheel 32, block 321

[0039] Shallow groove 322 Recognition component 323

[0040] Elastic component 4, base plate 41

[0041] Elastic sheet 42, locking block 421

[0042] Key lock mechanism 5

[0043] Key lock cylinder 51, coupling hole 511

[0044] Drive unit 52, stop block 521

[0045] Push block 522 Extension rod 523

[0046] Coupling Block 524

[0047] Key 6

[0048] Suitcase 8, Zipper 81

[0049] 811 piercing

[0050] Lock 9, Cable 91

[0051] Connecting parts 911, 912; Lock housing 92

[0052] Socket 921 Detailed Implementation

[0053] The details of the present invention can be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and the description of specific embodiments. However, the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Under the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of any possible modifications based on the invention, and these should all be considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

[0054] Figure 1 This invention illustrates a preferred embodiment of a lock, which includes a lock housing 1 and a cable portion 2. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the lock case 1 includes a first side case 11. The first side case 11 has two wide holes 112 and two narrow holes 113. The two wide holes 112 communicate with the two narrow holes 113 respectively, and they are arranged in a straight line along the length of the first side case 11. In this preferred embodiment, the two wide holes 112 are located between the two narrow holes 113, but it is also possible for the two narrow holes 113 to be located between the two wide holes 112. In any case, the width of each narrow hole 113 is smaller than the width of the wide hole 112 that communicates with it.

[0055] In this preferred embodiment, the lock housing 1 further includes a second side housing 12 and a third side housing 13. The second side housing 12 extends downward from the first side housing 11, and the second side housing 12 and the first side housing 11 are integrally formed, that is, they are a single piece. Figure 3 As shown, the third side shell 13 covers the second side shell 12 and is close to the first side shell 11, such that the three side shells 11, 12 and 13 together define an interior space for accommodating some or all of the components described below.

[0056] The cable section 2 includes a twistable cable 21 and two connecting sections 22. The twistable cable 21 is preferably made of steel cable, and the steel cable is typically covered with an outer sheath made of abrasion-resistant plastic. Each connecting section 22 includes an upper section 221, a lower section 223, and a middle section 222 located between the upper section 221 and the lower section 223. The two upper sections 221 are respectively connected to the two ends of the twistable cable 21. Each lower section 223 can only enter and exit its corresponding wide opening 112, but cannot enter or exit its corresponding narrow opening 113. Each middle section 222 can enter and exit its corresponding wide opening 112, and can move from its corresponding wide opening 112 into its corresponding narrow opening 113, and can move from its corresponding narrow opening 113 into its corresponding wide opening 112. In this process, after the two lower sections 223 of the cable section 2 each enter the two wide holes 112 and move below the two narrow holes 113, the second side shell 12 and the two connecting portions 22 of the cable section 2 are connected, as shown in the figure. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, at this time, the twistable cable 21 of the cable section 2 has been bent into a U-shape.

[0057] Better, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first side shell 11 also has two upwardly protruding and opposing upper sidewalls 111. Due to the elastic force accumulated when the torsionable cable 21 is bent, the two connecting portions 22 of the cable portion 2, which is already in the U-shaped state, are each tilted outward at an angle, so that the upper section 221 of each connecting portion 22 rests against the two upper sidewalls 111 of the first side shell 11.

[0058] Furthermore, the twistable cable 21 of the cable section 2, which is already in the U-shaped state, can be twisted into an X-shaped cross shape and maintained in this X-shaped cross shape, just like... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown. At this time, by simply twisting the twistable cable 21 in the opposite direction, the cable section 2 can be restored to the U-shaped state.

[0059] Better, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the twistable cable 21 is in the X-shaped crossed state, the two upper sections 221 have respectively tilted inward from above the two narrow holes 113 into the two wide holes 112, and are inclined in different directions. The two upper sections 221 respectively cover the entirety of the two wide holes 112 and each rests against the edge of the two wide holes 112. However, the two upper sections 221 may also cover a portion of the two wide holes 112, or one upper section 221 may cover the entirety of its corresponding wide hole 112, and the other upper section 221 may cover a portion of its corresponding wide hole 112.

[0060] Preferably, when the twistable cable 21 is in the X-shaped crossing state, one crossing point of the twistable cable 21 is farther from one of its apexes 210 and closer to its two connecting parts 22.

[0061] Better, such as Figure 2 As shown, the two wide holes 112 are of the same size, and one of the two narrow holes 113 is longer than the other. When the twistable cable 21 is in the X-shaped crossing state, the crossing point of the twistable cable 21 is closer to the narrow hole 113 with shorter length and farther from the narrow hole 113 with longer length. In this embodiment, the length of the narrow hole 113 on the left is greater than the length of the narrow hole 113 on the right, so the crossing point of the twistable cable 21 is closer to the narrow hole 113 on the right and farther from the narrow hole 113 on the left.

[0062] Regardless, the fact that the aforementioned twistable cable 21 can be twisted into the X-shaped cross state indicates that the entire cable portion 2 has high twistability, making it easy to twist as the lock case 1 flips. In other words, it has a high performance in responding to the jumping or swinging of the lock case 1. Therefore, when it is locking the aforementioned zipper piece 81, even if the lock case 1 frequently jumps or swings violently, the twistable cable 21 will convert the force transmitted from the jumping or swinging into the force used to twist itself into the X-shaped cross state, thereby reducing the force transmitted to the aforementioned zipper piece 81 and reducing the damage to the aforementioned zipper piece 81.

[0063] Furthermore, as described above, the first side shell 11 of the lock case 1 has an access portion (e.g., the wide hole 112 described above) for allowing the lower section 223 of the connecting portion 22 of the cable portion 2 to enter and exit the first side shell 11, and a limiting portion (e.g., the narrow hole 113 described above) for preventing the lower section 223 from detaching from the first side shell 11. Moreover, when the lower section 223 is prevented from detaching by the limiting portion, the connecting portion 22 is swayable (see...). Figure 4 and Figure 6 Specifically, the connecting part 22 swings left and right about the lower section 223 as an axis.

[0064] For example Figure 1 As shown, the lock of the present invention further includes a locking mechanism for locking the two connecting portions 22 already located within the lock housing 1, as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. In this preferred embodiment, the lock mechanism includes a combination lock mechanism 3 and a key lock mechanism 5, but is not limited thereto. For example, the lock mechanism may have only one combination lock mechanism, only one key lock mechanism, two combination lock mechanisms, or two key lock mechanisms. In this preferred embodiment, the combination lock mechanism 3 can be used by a user (e.g., the owner of the lock) to open and close the lock to determine whether one of the connecting parts 22 can be removed from the lock housing 1. The key lock mechanism 5 can be used by another user (e.g., a customs baggage inspector) to open and close the lock to determine whether the other connecting part 22 can be removed from the lock housing 1.

[0065] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the number lock mechanism 3 is located within the lock housing 1 and is used to lock or release one of the connecting portions 22 of the cable portion 2. In this preferred embodiment, the number lock mechanism 3 includes a plurality of number wheels 32 partially exposed from the lock housing 1. Each number wheel 32 has a plurality of blocks 321 and a plurality of shallow grooves 322. Each block 321 has an identification component 323, and each shallow groove 322 is located between two adjacent blocks 321. Each identification component 323 is preferably a number, a letter, or a symbol.

[0066] In this preferred embodiment, the combination lock mechanism 3 further includes an elastic element 4 located within the lock housing 1. This elastic element 4 is situated beside the combination lock mechanism 3 and includes a base plate 41 and a plurality of elastic plates 42. The base plate 41 and the elastic plates 42 are integrally formed, i.e., they are a single piece, and are preferably made of a highly elastic and wear-resistant (or durable) plastic material. A rear side of the base plate 41 rests against a wall 14 of the lock housing 1. Each elastic plate 42 protrudes forward from a front side of the base plate 41 in an arc shape, and each elastic plate has a locking block 421 at each end. Figure 7As shown, each of the locking blocks 421 can be engaged in the shallow groove 322 of the number wheel 32 to provide a little resistance to the number wheel 32, so that it can be turned but will not turn randomly. In addition, it can also provide a clear positioning sense, so that the user's finger can get a clear positioning sense when turning the number wheel, so that the user's hand can better feel the number wheel 32.

[0067] In this preferred embodiment, the combination lock mechanism 3 further includes a lock component 31 located within the lock housing 1. The plurality of combination wheels can be dialed with a correct or incorrect combination to determine whether the lock component 31 enters an active or passive state. Furthermore, Figures 3 to 6 When the number lock mechanism 3 is in a locked state, the number wheel 32 displays a non-positive code, causing the lock assembly 31 to be in a stopped state. Therefore, the lower section 223 of one of the connecting parts 22 of the cable part 2 is blocked by a stop block 313 of the lock assembly 31 and cannot move towards the wide hole 112 on the right side of the figure. Thus, the lower section 223 is still held by the lock housing 1 below the narrow hole 113 on the right side of the figure and cannot be pulled out of the lock housing 1. The stop block 313 is normally located in a blocking position below the wide hole 112 on the right side of the figure. It can be pushed to the right to move away from the blocking position, or it can be pushed down to move away from the blocking position.

[0068] Figures 8 to 10 When the number lock mechanism 3 is in an unlocked state, the number wheel 32 displays a positive code, making the lock assembly 31 movable. Therefore, the lower section 223 of one of the connecting parts 22 of the cable section 2 can move towards the wide opening 112. Once the lower section 223 moves towards the wide opening 112, it will push the stop 313 to move away from below the wide opening 112, as if... Figure 8 As shown, at this point, the lower segment 223 can move from below the narrow hole 113 to below the wide hole 112, and then be pulled out of the lock case 1 through the wide hole 112. During the aforementioned movement of the stop block 313, a support block 312 of the lock assembly 31 is pushed downwards, causing a movable rod 311 connected below the support block 312 to move downwards as well, thereby compressing a compression spring 314. Once the lower segment 223 is pulled out of the lock case 1, the compression spring 314 uses its elastic force to push the support block 312 upwards, causing the entire lock assembly 31 to immediately return to its original position, as... Figure 9 As shown.

[0069] Figure 10 The lower section 223 is inserted into the wide hole 112 and the stop block 313 moves downward. Then, due to the elasticity of the cable 21 itself, it moves from below the wide hole 112 into below the narrow hole 113. Next, the entire lock assembly 31 is reset by the compression spring 314. Then, the number wheel 32 is turned out with the incorrect or other incorrect combination, and the entire lock is in the state of... Figure 6 The locked state shown prevents the lower segment 223 from being pulled out of the lock case 1.

[0070] In this preferred embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the key lock mechanism 5 is located inside the lock housing 1 and is used to lock or release the other connection portion 22 of the cable portion 2. In this preferred embodiment, the key lock mechanism 5 includes a key lock cylinder 51 and a drive portion 52 located inside the lock housing 1. One bottom of the key lock cylinder 51 protrudes from the lock housing 1 and has a keyhole (not shown in the figure), as... Figure 14 As shown, after a valid key 6 is inserted into the keyhole, the key lock cylinder 51 can be rotated. The drive unit 52 includes a stop block 521, a push block 522, an extension rod 523, and a coupling block 524, which are preferably made as a single piece. The coupling block 524 is coupled to the key lock cylinder 51, such that when the key lock cylinder 51 is rotated, the coupling block 524 rotates, and the extension rod 523 connected to the coupling block 524 also rotates, thereby causing the stop block 521 and the push block 522 connected to the extension rod 523 to rotate together. Furthermore, one top of the key lock cylinder 51 preferably forms a polygonal coupling hole 511, such as a quadrilateral coupling hole 511. The coupling block 524 has a shape corresponding to the coupling hole 511, thereby engaging with the coupling hole 511 to form a coupling. In this preferred embodiment, the stop block 521 and the push block 522 are connected to form an L-shape, but this is not a limitation.

[0071] Figures 4 to 6 The key lock mechanism 5 is in a locked state. At this time, the stop 521 of the key lock mechanism 5 blocks the lower section 223 of the other connecting part 22 of the cable part 2, preventing the lower section 223 of the other connecting part 22 from moving into the wide hole 112. Therefore, the lower section 223 of the other connecting part 22 is still held by the lock housing 1 below its corresponding narrow hole 113 and cannot be pulled out of the lock housing 1. At this time, if Figure 11 As shown, the push block 522 is located next to the stop block 521 and does not block the lower section 223 of the other connection part 22.

[0072] Figures 13 to 15 This diagram illustrates the opening and closing operation of the lock using a valid key 6. When the valid key 6 moves the key cylinder 51 from... Figure 4 The locked position shown is rotated to the position shown. Figure 12 When the lock is in the unlocked position as shown, under the linkage of the coupling block 524 and the extension rod 523, the stop block 521 moves from... Figure 11 The blocking position shown has been shifted. Figure 13 The position shown is a non-blocking position, and the pusher block 522 is moving from... Figure 11 The non-blocking position shown is transferred to Figure 13In another non-blocking position, and in the process, push the lower section 223 of the other connection part 22 away from the bottom of the narrow hole 113 and move towards the wide hole 112, and then it can be pulled out of the lock case 1 from the wide hole 112. At this time, the key lock cylinder 51 is in an unlocked state and no longer locks the lower section 223.

[0073] When the lower section 223 of the other connecting part 22 is inserted into the wide hole 112, and then moves from below the wide hole 112 into below the narrow hole 113 by the elasticity of the cable 21 itself, then the reverse key 6 drives the key lock cylinder 51 from the unlocked position back to the locked position, thereby resetting the entire drive part 52. At this time, the entire lock is in the position of... Figure 6 The locked state shown prevents the lower segment 223 from being pulled out of the lock case 1.

[0074] The detailed explanations of the above embodiments are intended only to explain the present invention so as to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. However, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention for any reason. In particular, the various features described in different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined with each other to form other embodiments. Unless there is an explicit description to the contrary, these features should be understood to be applicable to any embodiment, and not limited to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A lock, characterized in that, The lock includes: A lock case includes a first side case having two narrow holes and two wide holes, the two wide holes communicating with the two narrow holes respectively, and the two wide holes being located between the two narrow holes, the width of each narrow hole being smaller than the width of the wide hole communicating with it. A cable section includes a twistable cable and two connecting parts. The twistable cable is made of a steel cable. Each connecting part includes an upper section, a lower section and a middle section located between the upper section and the lower section. The two upper sections are respectively connected to the two ends of the twistable cable. The outer diameters of the two lower sections are respectively larger than the widths of the two narrow holes, and the outer diameters of the two middle sections are respectively smaller than the widths of the two narrow holes. When the lower sections of the two connecting parts of the cable are respectively located below the two narrow holes, the two connecting parts are swingable, and the twistable cable of the cable can be twisted into an X-shaped cross state by the force of the lock case jumping or swinging and remain in the X-shaped cross state. When the twistable cable is in the X-shaped cross state, the two upper sections have swung and tilted towards the middle and are tilted in different directions, and at least a part of each upper section has tilted into the corresponding wide hole.

2. The lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The twistable cable includes two long sections that connect the two connecting parts respectively and an intermediate section located between the two long sections. When the twistable cable of the cable part forms a closed space with the first side shell of the lock housing, the intermediate section is bent and the two long sections are tilted outwards respectively, so that the area of ​​the closed space near the lock housing is smaller than the area of ​​the closed space away from the lock housing.

3. The lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The twistable cable includes two long sections that connect the two connecting parts respectively and an intermediate section located between the two long sections. When the twistable cable is twisted to the X-shaped cross state, the intermediate section is bent and the two long sections cross at a cross point. The cross point is farther away from the intermediate section and closer to the lock housing.

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