Lock for a USB connector

• US 7,677,065 B1
• Filed: 11/18/2008
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jin Tay Industries Co.
• Original Assignee: Jin Tay Industries Co.
• Inventors: Miao, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US12/292,362
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 70 21- 28, 70/57, 70/58, 439/131, 439/133, 439/135, 439/352, 439/353, 439/680
• US Class Current: 70/57
• 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: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A lock for a USB connector has a shell with an end opening, multiple lock assemblies mounted rotatably through the shell and an actuator mounted pivotally in the shell. Each lock assembly has a locking notch. The actuator has multiple locking protrusions selectively engaging the locking notches. The USB connector is inserted through the end opening into the shell and is selectively locked by a mounting segment on the actuator.

Claims

1. A lock for a USB connector comprising:

a shell being hollow and has

two inner sidewalls;

a lock end;

a mounting end being opposite to the lock end and being adjacent to the inner sidewalls; and

an end opening being formed through the mounting end of the shell;

multiple lock assemblies being mounted rotatably through the shell, and each lock assembly having a locking notch being formed in the lock assembly, wherein the locking notches of the lock assemblies selectively align with each other;

an actuator being mounted pivotally in the shell and having

two sides;

a lock end of the actuator corresponding to the lock end of the shell;

a mounting end of the actuator corresponding to the mounting end of the shell;

a mounting segment being formed on the mounting end of the actuator; and

multiple locking protrusions being formed separately on the lock end of the actuator and selectively and respectively engaging the locking notches of the lock assemblies; and

at least one actuating spring being mounted in the shell and pushing the actuator, wherein

the mounting segment of the actuator comprises two hooks being bent from the mounting end of the actuator.

2. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shell has

a transverse cavity being adjacent to the lock end of the shell;

multiple mounting gaps being formed parallelly through the lock end of the shell and intersecting and communicating with the transverse cavity; and

a side opening being formed through one of the inner sidewalls of the shell and communicating with the transverse cavity;

each lock assembly has

a tumbler wheel being mounted rotatably through a corresponding mounting gap of the shell, protruding into the transverse cavity and having

a central hole being formed axially through the tumbler wheel;

an inner sidewall;

an outer sidewall;

multiple mounting recesses being formed continuously in the inner sidewall of the tumbler wheel; and

multiple patterns being formed continuously on the outer sidewall of the tumbler wheel; and

a sleeve being mounted through the central hole of the tumbler wheel, selectively connecting securely to the tumbler wheel and having

a central hole being formed axially through the sleeve;

an outer sidewall; and

multiple teeth being formed separately on the outer sidewall of the sleeve and selectively engaging the mounting recesses of the tumbler wheel; and

the locking notch of each lock assembly is formed in the outer sidewall of the sleeve.

3. The lock as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a shaft being mounted through the side opening of the shell, being mounted in the transverse cavity and being mounted rotatably through central holes of the sleeves of the lock assemblies.

4. The lock as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a retaining spring being mounted around the shaft, being mounted in the transverse cavity and abutting the sleeve of one of the lock assemblies.

5. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shell has two pivoting recesses being formed respectively in the inner sidewalls of the shell;

and

the actuator has two pivoting protrusions being formed respectively on the sides of the actuator and being respectively mounted rotatably in the pivoting recesses of the shell.

6. The lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the shell has two pivoting recesses being formed respectively in the inner sidewalls of the shell;

and

the actuator has two pivoting protrusions being formed respectively on the sides of the actuator and being respectively mounted rotatably in the pivoting recesses of the shell.

7. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell has two limits being formed respectively on and protruding from the inner sidewalls of the shell and being adjacent to the end opening.

8. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell comprises two half shells.