Lockable luggage strap assembly

• US 7,467,529 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
• Original Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
• Inventors: Lai, Karl, Lai, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US11/709,647
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/18, 70/21, 70/25, 70D/IG.9, 702/84, 702/85, 703/12, 70D/IG.63, 70D/IG.71, 70/30, 70/49, 70/58, 70 68- 72, 70/74
• US Class Current: 70/18
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/105 Locks allowing opening by official authorities, e.g. master key opening of luggage locks by customs officials
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• 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: Y10S 70/09 Pawl and ratchet lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• 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

By providing two separate and independent locking systems, each of which enable the mating components thereof to be released and/or lockingly engaged by employing either a key controlled portion or a combination controlled portion, with each component mounted to opposed ends of a continuous strap or belt member, an effective, easily produced lockable luggage strap assembly is achieved that is formed in a single assembly. In the preferred, a single housing is employed in which all of the required components are contained, with the housing being securely affixed to one end of an elongated, continuous strap member. In addition, the opposed end of the strap is securely affixed to a slider member which is constructed for mating, sliding and locking interengagement with the housing. In this way, the slider member is securely lockingly interengaged with the housing, providing secure, locked mounted engagement of the strap assembly with the luggage or desired product.

Claims

1. A dual mode lockable luggage strap system comprising:

A. a belt or strap member constructed for peripherally surrounding any desired suitcase or package for maintaining the suitcase/package in a closed configuration;

B. a housing securely affixed to a first end of the belt/strap member and incorporating a first key controlled locking section and a second combination controlled locking section, with both of said locking sections being constructed for controlling the movement of a pivotable locking plate mounted therein;

C. a slider member affixed to a second end of the belt/strap member and constructed for longitudinal, sliding interengagement with the housing and incorporating an engaging member

a) constructed for cooperative interengagement with the locking plate of the housing for securely engaging the locking plate of the housing and being maintained in locked interengagement there with, unless released by the activation of either the first key controlled locking section or the second combination controlled locking section of the housing, and

b) comprising an elongated, longitudinally extending flange formed along the slider member and incorporating a plurality of ratchet teeth formed therein and

D. the pivotable locking plate mounted to the housing and comprising an elongated substantially flat member incorporating a ratchet tooth engaging finger constructed for being biasingly maintained in position for continuously engaging one of said ratchet teeth unless acted upon by an opposing force, and

a) incorporating a first side edge and a second, opposed side edge extending from a first end to a second, opposed end,

b) mounted at the first end thereof to a surface of the housing for enabling the locking plate to pivot relative to the surface of the housing,

c) cooperatively associated with biasing means mounted to the surface of the housing and positioned for contacting and continuously biasing the first side edge of the locking plate in a first direction, and

d) incorporating the ratchet tooth engaging finger formed along the second side edge of the plate, and constructed for being continuously biased in the first direction for engagement in one of the ratchet teeth formed in the flange of the slider member;

whereby a dual mode lockable luggage strap system is attained which is capable of quickly and easily being securely affixed to any desired suitcase or package in completely locked mode, while also being capable of being easily unlocked by activation of either the key controlled locking section or the combination controlled locking section thereof.

2. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 1, wherein the movement of said pivotal locking plate for disengaging the ratchet tooth engaging finger thereof is independently controlled by the activation of one selected from the group consisting of the key controlled locking section and the combination controlled locking section.

3. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 2, wherein the first key control locking section is further defined as comprising a cylinder assembly mounted in the housing and constructed for rotational movement in the housing in response to the insertion of an activating key therein, and a control plate mounted to the cylinder assembly for arcuate pivoting movement simultaneously therewith, with said control plate being positioned for controlling engagement with the locking plate of the housing for causing the locking plate of the housing to arcuately pivot in response to the rotation of the cylinder assembly, whereby the rotational movement of the cylinder assembly simultaneously causes the locking plate to be disengaged from the ratchet teeth of the slider member.

4. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 3, wherein the pivotal locking plate is further defined as comprising a flange member longitudinally extending from the second end thereof and positioned for cooperating, controlled interengagement with the control plate of the cylinder assembly, whereby movement of the control plate causes the pivotal locking plate to simultaneously move therewith.

5. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 2, wherein the second combination controlled locking section is further defined as comprising:

1) an elongated spindle member mounted in the housing for controlled axial movement therein,

2) a plurality of rotatable dials with each dial cooperatively associated with a tumbler sleeve, with each of the dials and tumbler sleeves being constructed for controlling the axial movement of the spindle member, and allowing axial movement only when each rotatable dial is placed in a desired position,

3) an elongated control knob assembly mounted in the housing and constructed for rotational movement about its central axis, with a portion of the control knob assembly being engaged with a first end portion of the elongated spindle member, whereby rotational movement of the control knob assembly causes the axial movement of the elongated spindle member when the dials are properly positioned, and

4) a locking plate movement control assembly constructed for causing the locking plate to become disengaged from the ratchet teeth of the slider member in response to the rotational movement of the control knob assembly.

6. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 5, wherein the spindle member is further defined as being spring biased for maintaining the first end portion of the spindle member in contact with a movement controlling collar forming a part of the control knob assembly, with the collar incorporating camming surfaces for controllably moving the spindle member axially in response to the position of the dials and tumbler sleeves cooperatively associated with the spindle member.

7. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 6, wherein the control knob assembly further comprises a cam plate mounted thereto and positioned for controlling the movement of the locking plate movement control assembly, whereby rotational movement of the control knob assembly causes the cam plate to contact the locking plate movement control assembly for causing the locking plate to become disengaged from the ratchet teeth of the slider member.

8. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 7, wherein the locking plate movement control assembly is further defined as comprising an arm member pivotally mounted in the housing in association with the locking plate, with a first end of the arm member positioned in contact with the second side edge of the locking plate and a second end of the arm member positioned in contact with the cam plate of the control knob assembly, whereby rotational movement of the control knob assembly and the associated rotational movement of the cam plate causes the arm member to pivot for moving the locking plate out of engagement with the ratchet teeth of the slider member.

9. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 6, wherein each of the rotatable dials incorporate indicia formed on the outer surface thereof for enabling a plurality of alternate positions to be easily designated.

10. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 9, wherein said indicia is further defined as comprising one selected from the group consisting of numerals, letters, alphanumeric designations, colors and pictures.

11. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 5, wherein the spindle member is further defined as being constructed for axial, longitudinal movement in the housing, while being incapable of rotational movement therein.

12. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 5, wherein the control knob assembly is further defined as comprising an upstanding readily accessible flange member formed on one end of the control knob assembly and positioned for providing ready access to a user for causing said control knob assembly to rotate when desired by the user.

13. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 2, wherein a spring biased, ratchet tooth engaging finger formed on the locking plate of the housing and the ratchet teeth formed in the elongated, longitudinally extending flange of the slider member are constructed for providing axial, sliding movement of the slider member in a first direction while preventing axial, sliding movement of the slider member in the opposite direction.

14. The dual mode lockable luggage strap system defined in claim 1, wherein said belt/strap member comprises a continuous length of tough, damage resistant and cut-resistant material enabling the suitcase/package to be fully protected.