Lock for compartment cover

• US 6,394,300 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel F. Bosy
• Original Assignee: Daniel F. Bosy
• Inventors: Bosy, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Christoper P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEVON C
• Application Number:
  US09/551,214
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 220/326,324,3.8,242 292/114,128,101,102,103,106,107,228,202,203,204,207,DIG. 11 429/96,97,100
• US Class Current: 220/326
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/11 Cover fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0934 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0952 Closure catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0956 Sliding catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0957 Spring-arm catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1084 Closure catch

Abstract

A lock for locking the cover of a compartment to prevent opening of the cover is described. The cover is provided with a biased latch at one end which is movable between a latch position for latching against a mating locking lip of the compartment and a release position to allow the cover to be removed from the compartment. The lock comprises a means for insertion into the biased latch once the cover has been attached to the compartment to prevent the biased latch from moving to the release position.

Claims

1. A lock for locking a cover of a compartment of an electronic device to prevent opening of the cover, the cover being provided with a biased latch at one end which is moveable between a latch position for latching against a mating locking lip of the compartment of the electronic device and a release position to allow the cover to be removed from the compartment, the lock comprising a means for insertion into the biased latch once the cover has been latched to the compartment to prevent the biased latch from moving to an unlatching position.

2. A lock according to claim 1 wherein the biased latch is a U-shaped latch having a first leg attached to the cover and a second leg provided with a latching means and moveable toward the first leg to allow the cover to be latched and released and the means for insertion into the biased latch occupies the space between the two legs.

3. A lock according to claim 2 wherein the means for insertion into the biased latch is a metal rod dimensioned to allow it to fit in the space between the two legs and thereby prevent the biased latch from moving to an unlatching position.

4. A lock for locking a cover of a compartment of an electronic device to prevent opening of the cover, the cover being provided with a biased U-shaped latch at one end for latching against a mating lip of the compartment, the U-shaped latch having a first leg attached to an end of the cover and a second leg provided with the latching means, the second leg being movable toward the first leg to allow the cover to be latched and released, the lock comprising a means for insertion between the two legs of the U-shaped latch once the cover has been latched, to prevent the second leg from moving toward the first leg and thereby release the cover.

5. A lock according to claim 4 wherein the means for insertion into the biased latch is a metal rod dimensioned to allow it to fit in the space between the two legs and thereby prevent the biased latch from moving to an unlatching position.