Strap lock with anti-reverse function

• US 7,461,527 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US11/812,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20080028805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 70/18, 70/58, 70/21, 70/69, 702/84, 702/85, 70D/IG.63, 70D/IG.71, 241/66, 241/67, 241/71, 241/95, 241/96, 242/65.BC
• US Class Current: 70/18
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• 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 65/5284 in which a movable latch is passed through a staple loop similar fasteners for buckles A44B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• 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 strap lock includes a first snapping member, a second snapping member, a strap, a stop member and a locking mechanism. The second snapping member is detachably secured to the first snapping member. The strap is connected with both the first and the second snapping members to define a loop of a size for enclosing a luggage. The strap includes a movable section capable of being pulled out away from the second snapping member so as to reduce the loop size. The stop member is disposed on the first snapping member for preventing the movable section of the strap from moving backward to the second snapping member. The locking mechanism is mounted on the first snapping member. The locking mechanism is in a locking state when the second snapping member is not allowed to depart from the first snapping member, and in an unlocking state when the second snapping member is allowed to depart from the first snapping member.

Claims

1. A strap lock comprising:

a first snapping member;

a second snapping member detachably secured to the first snapping member;

a strap connected with the first and the second snapping members to define a loop of a size for enclosing a luggage;

the strap having a movable section capable of being pulled out away from the second snapping member so as to reduce the loop size;

a stop member configured to prevent the movable section of the strap from moving backward to the second snapping member; and

a locking mechanism disposed on the first snapping member and including a key-operated locking unit and a combination locking unit wherein the locking mechanism is in a locking state when the second snapping member is locked in the first snapping member by both the key-operated locking unit and the combination locking unit, and in an unlocking state when the second snapping member is allowed to depart from the first snapping member by either one of the key-operated locking unit and the combination locking unit.

2. The strap lock of claim 1 wherein:

the first snapping member includes an opening;

the second snapping member includes a holding portion, a fastening portion, a first crossbar and a second crossbar;

the holding portion defines a room;

the fastening portion is connected with a front of the holding portion and is capable of being inserted into the opening of the first snapping member;

the first crossbar is positioned in the room;

the second crossbar parallel with the first crossbar is connected with a rear of the holding portion;

the first crossbar has a top higher than a bottom of the second crossbar; and

the strap includes a fixed section connected with the first snapping member;

the movable section of the strap passes around the first crossbar and is fed between the first and the second crossbars.

3. The strap lock of claim 2 wherein the stop member extends out the opening from a side of the first snapping member;

the strap includes a driven section extending from one end of the movable section; and

when the fastening portion of the second snapping member is inserted into the opening of the first snapping member, the driven section is overlapped with the other end of the movable section between a bottom of the second crossbar and a top of the stop member.

4. The strap lock of claim 2 wherein the first snapping member includes a first body and a second body;

the second body is movably mounted on the first body;

the key-operated locking unit is disposed in the first body;

the combination locking unit is disposed in the second body;

when the locking mechanism is in the locking state, the second body is immovable and thereby the fastening portion is lodged in the opening; and

when the locking mechanism is in the unlocking state, the second body is allowed to move to a position where the fastening portion can be released from the opening.

5. The strap lock of claim 4 wherein the key-operated locking unit includes a lock core, and the lock core can be inserted by a key to rotate;

the combination locking unit includes a number wheel assembly and a movable member;

the number wheel assembly is served to control movement of the movable member by entering a code; and

the lock core cooperates with the movable member to control movement of the second body.

6. The strap lock of claim 5 wherein the key-operated locking unit further includes a block connected with the lock core;

the block can be driven by the lock core to be shifted between a first locking position and a first unlocking position;

the combination locking unit further includes a controlling member connected with the movable member;

when the number wheel assembly allows the movable member to move, the controlling member can be shifted between a second locking position and a second unlocking position;

wherein when the block is in the first locking position and the controlling member is in the second locking position, the second body is immovable; and

when the block is moved to the first unlocking position or the controlling member is moved to the second unlocking position, the second body is allowed to move.

7. The strap lock of claim 4 wherein the fastening portion has a hook;

the second body has at least one pivot and an engaging portion; and

the second body is swingable about the pivot on the first body so that the engaging portion of the second body can be engaged with or released from the hook of the fastening portion.

8. A strap lock comprising:

a first snapping member;

a second snapping member detachably secured to the first snapping member;

a strap connected with the first and the second snapping members to define a loop of a size for enclosing a luggage;

the strap having a movable section capable of being pulled out away from the second snapping member so as to reduce the loop size;

a stop member configured to prevent the movable section of the strap from moving backward to the second snapping member; and

a locking mechanism disposed on the first snapping member;

wherein the locking mechanism includes a first locking unit and a second locking unit;

the first snapping member includes a first body and a second body;

the second body is movably mounted on the first body;

the first locking unit is disposed in the first body;

the second locking unit is disposed in the second body;

when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, the second body is immovable and thereby the second snapping member is lodged in the first snapping member; and

when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the second body is allowed to move to a position where the second snapping member can be released from the first snapping member.

9. The strap lock of claim 8 wherein the first locking unit is a key-operated locking unit;

the second locking unit is a combination locking unit;

the key-operated locking unit includes a lock core, the lock core can be inserted by a key to rotate;

the combination locking unit includes a number wheel assembly and a movable member;

the number wheel assembly is served to control movement of the movable member by entering a code; and

the lock core cooperates with the movable member to control movement of the second body.

10. The strap lock of claim 9 wherein the key-operated locking unit further includes a block connected with the lock core;

the block can be driven by the lock core to be shifted between a first locking position and a first unlocking position;

the combination locking unit further includes a controlling member connected with the movable member;

when the number wheel assembly allows the movable member to move, the controlling member can be shifted between a second locking position and a second unlocking position;

wherein when the block is in the first locking position and the controlling member is in the second locking position, the second body is immovable; and

when the block is moved to the first unlocking position or the controlling member is moved to the second unlocking position, the second body is allowed to move.

11. The strap lock of claim 8 wherein the second snapping member has a hook;

the second body has at least one pivot and an engaging portion; and

the second body is swingable about the pivot on the first body so that the engaging portion of the second body can be engaged with or released from the hook of the second snapping member.