Multi-purpose Detachable Lock Container and Method of Use

• US 20070180873A1
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Inventors: Yen, An-Ting, Tsai, Chi-Chang
• Application Number:
  US11/620,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20070180873A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/63
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/18 Ticket-holders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/12 of press-button or turn-button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/18 Devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/055 Thin, flat, rectangular articles, e.g. ID badges or cards
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/02 with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/413 Padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/489 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/554 Cover, lid, cap, encasing shield

Abstract

A lockable container comprising a lock portion and a container is provided. The lock portion has a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has an opening component and at least a lock mechanism, the second part has at least a latch driven by the opening component. The container fits the second part. The container has at least an inner space and a wedge corresponding to the latch. The lock mechanism restricts a displacement of the opening component when the lock mechanism is locked. The lock mechanism releases the opening component when the lock mechanism is unlocked.

Claims

1. A lockable container, comprising:

a lock portion having a first part and a second part, wherein said first part has at least an opening component and a lock mechanism, said second part having at least a latch being movable together with said opening component;

an attaching device having a first end connected with said first part and a second end detachably connected with said first part; and

a container releaseably secured to said second part, wherein a top opening of said container engages said second part of said lock portion, said container having at least an inner space and a latch engaging member;

wherein said lock mechanism disables said opening component when said lock mechanism is in a locked state and said container is secured to said lock portion such that said inner space is not accessible through said top opening, said lock mechanism enables said opening component when said lock mechanism is in an unlocked state, and said container is able to be physically detached from said lock portion in said unlocked state and said inner space is accessible through said top opening.

2. The lockable container of claim 1 further comprising:

a release mechanism disposed on said second part for controlling a detachment between said second end and said first part.

3. The lockable container of claim 2, wherein said attaching device is further interlocked with said opening component for simultaneously controlling said detaching between said second end and said first part and said detaching between said container and said lock portion;

wherein in said locked state said second end is not capable of detaching from said first part, and in said unlocked state said second end is capable of detaching from said first part.

4. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said container further comprises a housing and a cover pivotally connected with said housing to form said inner space.

5. The lockable container of claim 4, wherein an opening of said cover further includes an end side having an aperture.

6. The lockable container of claim 5, wherein said second part further includes a protrusion corresponding to said aperture.

7. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said attaching device comprises a chain.

8. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said attaching device comprises a U-shaped shackle.

9. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said attaching device comprises a cable.

10. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism comprises a combination lock.

11. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism comprises a key operated lock.

12. The lockable container of claim 1, wherein the container is shaped to hold an electronic device and the container includes at least one aperture to access one or more controls of the electronic device.

13. A lockable container, comprising:

a lock portion having a first part, a second part and a housing, wherein said first part has at least an opening component and a lock mechanism, said second part having at least a latch being movable in connection with said opening component, said housing being integrally formed with one side of said first part, said housing including a plurality of openings; and

a cover pivotally connected with said housing to access an inner space defined by said housing and cover, said cover having at least a latch receiving member;

wherein said lock mechanism restricts the displacement of said opening component when said lock mechanism is locked, and wherein said lock mechanism releases the opening component when said lock mechanism is unlocked.

14. The lockable container of claim 13 further comprising:

an attaching device having a first end connected with said first part of the lock portion and a second end detachably connected with said first part; and

a release mechanism disposed on a side of said second part of the lock portion for controlling a detachment between said second end and said first part.

15. The lockable container of claim 14, wherein said attaching device is further interlocked with said opening component for simultaneously controlling said detaching between said second end and said first part and said detaching between said container and said lock portion;

wherein in said locked state said second end is not capable of detaching from said first part, and in said unlocked state said second end is capable of detaching from said first part.

16. The lockable container of claim 13, wherein said cover comprises a pivot.

17. The lockable container of claim 14, wherein said attaching device comprises a chain.

18. The lockable container of claim 14, wherein said attaching device comprises a U-shaped shackle.

19. The lockable container of claim 14, wherein said attaching device comprises a cable.

20. The lockable container of claim 13, wherein said lock mechanism comprises a combination lock.

21. The lockable container of claim 13, wherein said lock mechanism comprises a key operated lock.

22. A method for using a lockable container, said method comprising:

unlocking a lock mechanism to physically detach a container from a lock portion wherein said container has a plurality of opposing sides, the lock portion including an attaching device for interconnecting the lock portion to an object;

depositing at least an article in said container; and

reattaching said container and said lock portion.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said unlocking step includes activating an opening component to release at least a latch of said lock mechanism from a catch of said container.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said unlocking step includes operating a release mechanism to disassemble an end of the attaching device from said lock portion when said lock portion releases said container.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said article includes an electronic device.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising operating said electronic via an opening of said container.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said lock mechanism includes a combination lock.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said lock mechanism includes a key lock.

29. A method of using a lock, the method comprising:

detaching a second end of an attaching device from a lock by actuating an release mechanism, said attaching device having a first end fixedly connected to said lock, said lock including a physically detachable container;

threading said second end of the attaching device through an article and through an object to which the article is be locked;

reattaching said second end to said lock;

wherein said release mechanism is only operable in combination with an opening component that is enabled by a lock mechanism.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the attaching device is a cable.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the attaching device is a chain.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the attaching device is a U-shaped shackle.