Lightweight cable lock

• US 20070068200A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrea Roloff, Richard Raemisch
• Original Assignee: Andrea Roloff, Richard Raemisch
• Inventors: Raemisch, Richard, Roloff, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/30
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/435 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7305 Manually operable

Abstract

A cable padlock having a thin flexible cable, with a key attached to one cable end and a locking mechanism for receiving and securing the key attached to the other cable end, preferably of a combination or permutation type. The key and locking mechanism are constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminum, providing for a lightweight, compact, and potentially inexpensive padlock. A mechanism for detaching the cable from the locking mechanism by application of a master key is provided to allow an administrator of a facility utilizing a number of the locks to remove each lock without needing to lookup each lock'"'"'s unique combination. The lock is accordingly useful in prisons, institutions, and other secured facilities where there are concerns that a traditional heavier lock could be used as a makeshift weapon.

Claims

1. A cable padlock comprised of:

a flexible cable no greater than seven inches in length and possessing a first end and a second end;

a locking key;

a securing means to attach said first end to said locking key where said first end may be detached by application of an external key; and

a locking means to accept and secure said locking key permanently affixed to said second end;

with said locking key and locking means substantially constructed from materials possessing a density equivalent to or less than aluminum.

2. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable is less than ¼

″

in diameter.

3. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable is made of steel.

4. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable is coated with plastic.

5. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key and said locking means are substantially constructed of aluminum.

6. A cable padlock comprised of:

a flexible cable no greater than seven inches in length and possessing a first end and a second end;

a locking key permanently affixed to said first end;

a locking means to accept and secure said locking key; and

a securing means to attach said second end to said locking means where said second end may be detached by application of an external key;

with said locking key and locking means substantially constructed from materials possessing a density equivalent to or less than aluminum.

7. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cable is less than ¼

″

in diameter.

8. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cable is made of steel.

9. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cable is coated with plastic.

10. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said key and said locking means are substantially constructed of aluminum.

11. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 10 wherein said key consists of a single piece of cast aluminum.

12. A cable padlock comprised of:

a cable having a first end and second end, a diameter no greater than ¼

inch, and a length no greater than 7 inches;

a key possessing a plurality of locking lugs radially positioned along its length, said lugs separated from each other by a plurality of spaces, said key being affixed to said first end of said cable;

a swage key permanently affixed to said second end of said cable;

a lock core housing comprised of two halves, said halves being mirror images of each other and fixably secured together;

a means for receiving and securing said swage key to said housing located within said housing, and allowing for said swage key to be detached from said housing by application of an external key;

a hollow core shaft possessing one or more gaps radially positioned and running the length of the shaft, said gaps being positioned and sized so as to accommodate said plurality of lugs and facilitating insertion of said key inside said shaft, said shaft being affixed to said housing;

a plurality of dials, each dial possessing a center hole sized so as to allow said shaft to pass through said hole and allow said dial to freely rotate upon said shaft, one or more notches equal in number to the number of said gaps on said shaft and radially extending from said center hole and sized so as to accommodate said plurality of lugs, and a plurality of uniquely marked concave depressions, where said core is inserted through said center hole of each dial; and

a means to secure said dials upon said shaft.

13. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 12 wherein said numerical dials each have at least five concave depressions.

14. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said uniquely marked concave depression is marked with an Arabic numeral.

15. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 12 wherein said dials are interleaved with a plurality of washers equal to the number of said dials, said washers each possessing a center hole, one or more notches equal to the number of said gaps in said core and radially extending from each said washer'"'"'s said center hole and sized so as to accommodate said plurality of lugs, and said core is passed through said center holes of said interleaved washers and dials.

16. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

each said washer has a surface perpendicular to the axis of said core, said washer surface having a first protrusion rising above the plane of said washer surface;

each said dial has a surface perpendicular to the axis of said core, said dial surface disposed opposite to said washer surface, and possessing a plurality of depressions arranged in a circular fashion upon said dial surface, said depressions located so as to engage said first protrusion;

each said washer'"'"'s said center hole has a plurality of second protrusions positioned around the circumference of said washer'"'"'s said center hole and protruding towards the center of said washer'"'"'s said center hole; and

said core has a plurality of notches positioned around the circumference of said core so as to engage said second protrusions and thereby prevent said washers from rotating about said core.

17. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 15 having at least five of said dials and five of said washers.

18. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 15 wherein said interleaved washers and dials are secured to said core with a retaining clip, which is fitted into a retaining groove positioned on the end of said core that is distal from the end where said core is affixed to said cable.

19. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 15 wherein said washers are manufactured from steel.

20. A cable padlock as claimed in claim 15 wherein said core has only one gap.