MULTIPLE LOCK SYSTEM FOR A LUGGAGE CASE

• US 20150040622A1
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings SARL (Samsonite Sub Holdings SARL)
• Original Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings SARL (Samsonite Sub Holdings SARL)
• Inventors: Meersschaert, Reinhard, Recchia, Diego
• Granted Patent: US 9,512,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/69
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/10 Arrangement of fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1023 with elongated profiles fastened by sliders
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/103 Arrangement of zip-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/18 Devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/105 Locks allowing opening by official authorities, e.g. master key opening of luggage locks by customs officials
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0048 with changeable combination
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0051 by moving pins to another hole
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/12 with tumbler discs on several axes
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5058 Trunk and/or suitcase

Abstract

An apparatus for selectively securing at least a first zipper closure mechanism (25) and a second zipper closure mechanism (135) of a luggage case (100), may include a lock device (145) coupled to the luggage case (100). The lock device (14) includes a lock mechanism (158) operable between a locked and unlocked configuration, at least two securing recesses (151, 152, 153, 154) for releasable receipt of at least a portion of each of the respective first and second zipper closure mechanisms (125, 135), and at least one release member (160) for actuating the lock mechanism (158).

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively securing at least a first zipper closure mechanism and a second zipper closure mechanism of a luggage case, the apparatus comprising:

the first zipper closure mechanism associated with a first compartment of the luggage case and the second zipper closure mechanism associated with a second compartment of the luggage case;

a lock device coupled to the luggage case; and

the lock device includes a lock mechanism operable between a locked and unlocked configuration, at least two securing recesses for releasable receipt of at least a portion of each of the respective first and second zipper closure mechanisms, and at least one release member for actuating the lock mechanism.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second zipper closure mechanism includes an elongated cable defining a free end, the elongated cable operably engageable with at least one zipper slider to limit its movement, and at least one of the two securing recesses operable to releasably receive the free end of the cable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongated cable is operable to engage the at least one zipper slider and limit movement of the at least one zipper slider, and a first of the least two securing recesses operable to releasably receive the free end of the cable.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one zipper slider includes at least one zipper securing element configured to selectively receive a portion of the elongated cable therethrough, and the zipper securing element is at least one of a hasp or an aperture.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one zipper pull tab is coupled to the at least one zipper slider and the at least one zipper pull tab includes an aperture configured to selectively receive a portion of the elongated cable therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the luggage case further comprises a sleeve that defines a cavity, the sleeve is coupled to the luggage case and configured to retractably receive at least a portion of the cable into the cavity, and the cable defines a second end that is opposite the free end and that is anchored in the cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an elastic coupler coupled to the cable and operable to resiliently extend at least a portion of the cable out of the cavity and retract at least a portion of the cable into the cavity.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second end is sufficiently sized to not pass through an aperture formed in the cable guide.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the cable is resiliently coiled such that at least a portion of the cable is selectively retractable into and extendible from the cavity.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second compartment comprises a pocket compartment of the luggage case.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fixed securing element coupled to the luggage case near the pocket compartment and operable to releasably receive a portion of the cable therethrough, and the fixed securing element includes a D-shaped ring attached to the luggage case near a terminus of an opening into the pocket compartment.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first zipper closure mechanism includes at least one zipper slider and at least one zipper pull tab, the at least one zipper pull tab includes at least one aperture, and said lock device releasably engages the at least one aperture in one of the least two securing recesses.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second zipper closure mechanism includes at least one zipper slider and at least one zipper pull tab, the at least one zipper pull tab of the second zipper closure mechanism includes at least one aperture, and said lock device releasably engages the at least one aperture of the second zipper closure mechanism in another of the at least two securing recesses.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one zipper pull tab of the first or second zipper closure mechanisms is longer than the at least one zipper pull tab of the other of the first and second zipper closure mechanisms.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock device includes a housing with a length defining a middle portion and opposing end portions, the lock mechanism is positioned along the middle portion of the lock housing, and the securing recesses are positioned on respective opposing end portions of the lock housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock device is positioned proximal to both the first and second zipper closure mechanisms.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lock device is positioned proximal to opening lines of said first and second zipper closure mechanisms.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein when the first and second zipper closure mechanisms are releasably secured to the lock device, the first and second compartments are each in a sealed state.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein access to said first and second compartments is hindered when the first and second zipper closure mechanisms are releasably secured to the lock device.

6. (canceled)

21-43. -43. (canceled)