Cargo locking device

• US 5,768,920 A
• Filed: 03/13/1997
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce D. Debevoise
• Original Assignee: Bruce D. Debevoise
• Inventors: DeBevoise, Bruce D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US08/815,633
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 70/18, 70/30, 70/49, 70/57, 70/58, 70/233-236, 70/63, 70/67, 70/69, 109/50-52, 248/551-553
• US Class Current: 70/18
• 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: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5058 Trunk and/or suitcase
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles

Abstract

A device for permanent mounting in the bed of a truck or the like. The device consists of a cable locking assembly having a retractable cable mounted in a chassis which may be affixed to the bed of a pickup truck or to a structure such as a utility box affixed to the bed of a truck. The chassis which houses the cable lock assembly has a front panel. The front panel provides access to both the free end of the cable, the cable'"'"'s free end securing sleeve, a cable recoil controlling button and a cable lock. In practice, the chassis is mounted onto the bed of a truck or onto the accessible side of a utility box. A cargo having loop means thereon is placed in the bed of the truck. The free end of the cable is removed from the chassis and is passed through the loop means of the cargo and the free end of the cable, having been threaded through the loop means on the cargo, is returned to the holding sleeve in the chassis. Thus, the device is used to secure an otherwise loose cargo present in the bed of the truck to the truck via a cable means. The device is particularly suited for applications requiring mounting of the locking device where all controls must be accessible through a single front panel.

Claims

1. A storage box comprising:

(a) a lid adapted to be opened or closed having a first locking means;

(b) a bottom;

(c) three sides;

(d) a flat front surface having a cutout; and

(e) a retractable-cable locking device mounted within said cutout and affixed to said flat front surface of said storage box, said retractable-cable locking device further comprising a cable having a free end and a cable lock which operates independently from said first locking means, wherein said cable lock is adapted to lock said free end of said cable in mating engagement with said retractable-cable locking device.

2. The storage box of claim 1 dimensioned to be installed in the bed of a truck so that at least three sides of said storage box are adjacent to at least three wall panels comprising the truck bed, and wherein said retractable-cable locking device further comprises a flange circumscribing said cutout, said flange providing means to affix said retractable-cable locking device to said flat front surface of said storage box.

3. A storage box having:

(a) a flat front panel with a cutout therein, three sides, a bottom and a lid adapted to be opened by a first locking means integral with said storage box; and

(b) a cable locking device having a retractable length of cable and a cable spool dimensioned to be rotatably mounted in said cutout with one end of said retractable length of cable affixed thereto and having retraction control means on said flat front panel operable for controlling retraction of said length of cable and a second independent locking means, said cable locking device further comprising a receptacle means dimensioned to matingly receive the distal end of said length of cable operable for retaining, locking and releasing said distal end of said length of cable and wherein the location of operational controls is restricted to said flat front panel of said storage box.

4. The storage box of claim 3 dimensioned to be installed in the bed of a truck so that at least three sides of said storage box are adjacent to at least three wall panels comprising the truck bed, and wherein said cable locking device further comprises a flange circumscribing said cutout, said flange providing means to affix said cable locking to said flat front surface of said storage box.