Suitcase lock that can be opened either by setting a combination or by a key

• US 7,290,417 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chien-Yung Huang
• Original Assignee: Chien-Yung Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Chien-Yung
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay; Jennifer H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boswell; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/642,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20070193316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 702/84, 702/85, 70 69- 76, 70312-315, 703/18, 70D/IG.71
• US Class Current: 70/285
• 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: Y10S 70/71 Combined permutation and key lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5058 Trunk and/or suitcase
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key

Abstract

A suitcase lock that can be opened either by setting a combination or by a key, in which dials of a suitcase lock are disposed with sleeves, and characterized in that a key tumbler is additionally fitted to the suitcase lock, and tongues located at a lower portion of a swing plate clamp connect to a slider. A groove at one end of the slider enables a push rod of the key tumbler to be clamped therein, and sloping grooves defined on another end enable the tongues of the swing plate to displace therein. In general, dials are used to control cuttings or circular arcs on the sleeves to operate the swing plate and hooking to a locked object and realize opening and closing of the lock. However, when in a locked state, without moving the dials, a key can be used to directly activate the key tumbler to push the slider, and thereby causes the swing plate to tilt in an opposite direction and the stopper at one end of swing plate can release the locked object from hooking position, thus opening the lock or suitcase.

Claims

1. A suitcase lock that can be opened either by setting a combination or by a key, comprising:

a combination lock assembly having

a housing;

a plurality of dials, and

a swing plate that is movable relative to the housing, the swing plate having

a plurality of openings for receiving said plurality of dials,

at least one stopper connected to an upper portion of said swing plate, and

at least one engagement on a lower portion of said swing plate;

a key tumbler having a drive coupling; and

a slider having a first end portion adapted to engage said drive coupling of said key tumbler, and a second end portion adapted to engage with said at least one engagement of said swing plate of said combination lock assembly;

wherein the swing plate may be positioned in at least three angle positions, a first angle position is realized by setting an open combination of numbers on said dials that opens the lock, a second angle position is realized by setting a combination of numbers on said dials that does not open the lock, a third angle position is realized by a key, both the first and third angle positions independently enable releasing a locked object, wherein the engagement of the swing plate is comprised of at least one projecting tongue, with the slider having at least one slot for receiving said at least one tongue of the swing plate.

2. The suitcase lock according to claim 1, wherein said drive coupling has a push rod.

3. The suitcase lock according to claim 2, wherein the slider has a groove at a first end portion thereof for receiving said push rod.

4. The suitcase lock according to claim 1, wherein the second angle position and the third angle position are in opposite directions.

5. A suitcase lock that can be opened either by setting a combination or by a key, comprising:

a combination lock assembly having

a housing;

a plurality of dials, and

a swing plate that is movable relative to the housing, the swing plate having

a plurality of openings for receiving said plurality of dials,

at least one stopper connected to an upper portion of said swing plate, and

at least one engagement on a lower portion of said swing plate;

a key tumbler having a push rod; and

a slider having a first end portion adapted to engage said push rod, and a second end portion adapted to engage with said at least one engagement of said swing plate;

wherein the swing plate may be positioned in at least three angle positions, a first angle position is realized by setting an open combination of numbers on said dials that opens the lock, a second angle position is realized by setting a combination of numbers on said dials that does not open the lock, a third angle position is realized by a key, both the first and third positions independently enable releasing a locked object; and

further wherein the engagement of the swing plate is comprised of at least one projecting tongue, with the slider having at least one slot for receiving said at least one tongue of said swing plate and a groove at said first end portion for receiving said push rod, and the second angle position and the third angle position are in opposite directions.