Retractable cable locking device

• US 9,567,772 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Snell
• Original Assignee: Larry Snell
• Inventors: Snell, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd
• Application Number:
  US14/921,186
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/18, 70/30, 70/49, 70/58, 70233-235, 70D/IG.49, 242/378, 242/378.4, 242/379, 242/379.2, 340/542, 340/568.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/003 using chains or cables chain or cable locks per se E05B67/003; with alarm E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0083 Sound emitting devices, e.g. loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/006 with retraction of the cable for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for devices mounted to a fixed surface or a portable object E05B73/0011
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/49 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5881 Stands

Abstract

A retractable cable locking device for securing articles with retractable cables includes a housing that has a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom defining an internal space. Shafts, rotationally coupled to and extending between the front and the back, are positioned in the internal space. Cables are extendable from and retractable into the housing through holes positioned in the first side. Each of the cables has a first end coupled to one of the shafts and a second end coupled to a locking hub. Ports, which are complimentary to the locking hubs, and a key lock, which is operationally coupled to the ports, are positioned in the second side. A speaker, a processor and a power module are coupled to and positioned in the housing. The processor is operationally coupled to the power module, the speaker and the key lock.

Claims

1. A retractable cable locking device comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom defining an internal space;

a plurality of shafts, said shafts being positioned in said internal space, said shafts being rotationally coupled to and extending between said front and said back;

a plurality of holes positioned in said first side of said housing;

a plurality of cables, each said cable being extendable from and retractable into said housing through a respective one of said plurality of holes, each of said cables have a first end coupled to a respective one of said shafts;

a plurality of locking hubs, each of said locking hubs being coupled to a respective second end of a respective said cable;

a plurality of ports, said ports being complementary to said locking hubs, said ports being positioned in said second side of said housing;

a key lock, said key lock being positioned in said second side of said housing, said key lock being operationally coupled to said ports;

a speaker, said speaker being coupled to and positioned in said housing;

a power module, said power module being coupled to and positioned in said housing; and

a processor, said processor being coupled to and positioned in said housing, said processor being operationally coupled to said power module, said speaker and said key lock.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a plurality of torsional biasers, one of each of said plurality of torsional biasers being operationally coupled to a respective one of said plurality of shafts, wherein rotation of said shafts generates torsional forces in said biasers.

3. The device of claim 1, further including a key, said key being complementary to said key lock.

4. The device of claim 1, further including a bracket, said bracket being coupled to said back of said housing.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising:

said bracket comprising a band, said band being curved, said band being metal;

said band having opposing flanged ends, said ends being reversibly couplable to said housing; and

wherein said band is configured to secure said housing to a bicycle frame.

6. The device of claim 1, further including an access panel, said access panel being positioned in said front proximate to said power module, wherein said access panel is removable by the user to access said power module.

7. The device of claim 1, further including said power module comprising at least one battery.

8. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of shafts comprising two shafts.

9. The device of claim 1, further including said cables comprising braided steel wire.

10. The device of claim 1, further including said locking hubs being larger than said holes, wherein each of said cables extends from said respective one of said shafts through said respective one of said plurality of holes, such that said locking hubs are positioned outside of said housing.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

said locking hubs comprising cylindrical metal nipples, each said nipple having a pair of annular indentations; and

said ports having a pair of locking rings, said locking rings being complementary to said annular indentations.

12. The device of claim 1, further including a plurality of penetrations, said penetrations being positioned in said front of said housing proximate to said speaker.

13. The device of claim 12, further including said penetrations being circularly arrayed.

14. A retractable cable locking device comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom defining an internal space;

a plurality of shafts, said shafts being positioned in said internal space, said shafts being rotationally coupled to and extending between said front and said back, said plurality of shafts comprising two shafts;

a plurality of torsional biasers, one of each said plurality of torsional biasers being operationally coupled to a respective one of said plurality of shafts, wherein rotation of said shafts generates torsional forces in said biasers;

a plurality of holes positioned in said first side of said housing;

a plurality of cables, each said cable being extendable from and retractable into said housing through a respective one of said plurality of holes, each of said cables have a first end coupled to a respective one of said shafts, said cables comprising braided steel wire, wherein said cables are configured to be extended from said housing by the user and wherein extending said cables generates torsional force in said biaser, such that, upon release of said cable, said shaft will rotate and said cable will retract into said housing;

a plurality of locking hubs, each of said locking hubs being coupled to a respective second end of a respective said cable, said hubs being larger than said holes, wherein each of said cables extends from said respective one of said shafts through a respective one of said holes, such that said locking hubs are positioned outside of said housing, said locking hubs comprising cylindrical metal nipples, each said nipple having a pair of annular indentations;

a plurality of ports, said ports being complementary to said locking hubs, said ports being positioned in said second side of said housing, said ports having a pair of locking rings, said locking rings being complementary to said annular indentations;

a key lock, said key lock being positioned in said second side of said housing, said key lock being operationally coupled to said ports, wherein said ports are positioned to receive said locking hubs and said key lock can be engaged by the user to lock said locking hubs into said ports;

a key, said key being complementary to said key lock;

a speaker, said speaker being coupled to and positioned in said housing;

a plurality of penetrations, said penetrations being positioned in said front of said housing proximate to said speaker, wherein an alarm sounded by said speaker is audible through said penetrations, said penetrations being circularly arrayed;

a bracket, said bracket being coupled to said back of said housing, wherein said bracket is configured to secure said housing to a user'"'"'s property, said bracket comprising a band, said band being curved, said band being metal, said band having opposing flanged ends, said ends being reversibly couplable to said housing, wherein said band is configured to secure said housing to a bicycle frame;

a power module, said power module being coupled to and positioned in said housing, said power module comprising at least one battery;

a processor, said processor being coupled to and positioned in said housing, said processor being operationally coupled to said power module, said speaker and said key lock;

an access panel, said access panel being positioned in said front proximate to said power module, wherein said access panel is removable by the user to access said power module;

wherein each of said cables is configured to be extended by the user around a stationary object with said locking hub then being inserted into a respective one of said ports, completing a respective electrical circuit comprising said cable, said port, and said locking hub, such that interruption of the respective electrical circuit absent said key, or attempted unlocking without said key, will induce said processor to send an alarm signal to said speaker.