Lock securing elongate articles to a holder

• US 6,202,864 B1
• Filed: 03/08/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dylan G. Ernst, Gregory R. Ernst
• Original Assignee: Dylan G. Ernst, Gregory R. Ernst
• Inventors: Ernst, Gregory R., Ernst, Dylan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US09/264,245
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 211/70.6, 211/70.7, 206/376, 206/372, 206/373
• US Class Current: 211/70.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/04 Racks

Abstract

A lock for the retention of articles such as box wrenches supported in place on a holder and including a barrier closely overlying the articles. Posts on the barrier include flexible segments for insertion into openings for locked engagement with the holder to retain the barrier in proximate the articles to prevent article removal from the holder. The flexible segments may be fractured by a purchaser for access to and removal of the articles.

Claims

1. A lock for attachment to a holder of multiple elongate articles said holder having an aperture therein, said lock comprising,

a barrier for overlying placement on the articles, said barrier having a rib, and

retention means carried by said barrier including a post having a flexible segment for insertion through the aperture and locking engagement with the holder, said flexible segment defining a slot, surfaces on said segment being inclined to the major axis of the post facilitating insertion of the segment through the holder aperture, edges on said segment engageable with said holder when said segment is in an inserted unbiased condition to prevent segment extraction from the holder.

2. The lock claimed in claim 1 wherein said barrier is elongate.

3. The lock claimed in claim 1 wherein said retention means comprises multiple posts integral with said barrier and spaced therealong.

4. The lock claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible segment is of frangible construction.

5. The lock claimed in claim 1 wherein said barrier includes a rib integral with said retention means.

6. The lock claimed in claim 4 wherein said barrier has a tang with surfaces inclined to the rib axis to enhance confinement of holder mounted articles.