Lock and case using the same

• US 9,745,780 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sinoxlock (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Sinoxlock (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Mao-Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US14/696,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20150315820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 70 21, 70 68, 702791, 70284, 70285, 70257, 70277, 702783, 702787, 702831
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/301 at the end of their upward travel with any suitable device, e.g. pull member combined with a press-button, a hook, a key-operated lock
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0056 by sensing the presence of a person, e.g. body heat sensor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/48 Hasp locks hasp fastenings other than locks E05C19/08
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/508 Hasp type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

The lock of the present invention includes a housing, a fastening element, a stopping element, a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism. The fastening element is movable relative to the housing and is selectively located at a securing position and a releasing position; the stopping element has a first state and a second state. The stopping element in the first state restricts the fastening element to be in the securing position while the stopping element in the second state releases the fastening element. The first locking mechanism includes a dynamic element and a sensing device. The dynamic element drives the stopping element to change between the first state and the second state. The sensing device senses a signal and controls the dynamic element.

Claims

1. A lock, including:

a housing;

a fastening element movable and selectively located at a securing position and a releasing position, wherein the fastening element includes a connecting arm;

a stopping element having a first state and a second state;

wherein the stopping element in the first state restricts the fastening element to be in the securing position, the stopping element in the second state releases the fastening element, wherein the stopping element includes;

an axial portion;

a first arm portion;

a second arm portion angled away from the first arm portion; and

a third arm portion angled away from the second arm portion, wherein the connecting arm is able to be confined between the second arm portion and the third arm portion;

wherein the first arm portion, the second arm portion, and the third arm portion radiate from the axial portion;

a first locking mechanism, comprising;

a dynamic element moving with the stopping element and driving the stopping element to change between the first state and the second state; and

a sensing device electrically connected to the dynamic element, the sensing device sensing a signal and controlling an action of the dynamic element; and

a second locking mechanism comprising a key-lock lock body disposed in the housing;

wherein the fastening element, the stopping element and the dynamic element are disposed in the housing, the fastening element moves relative to the housing and is selectively located at the securing position and the releasing position.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the signal includes electromagnetic wave, image signal or biological characteristic signal.

3. The lock of claim 1, further including a power source connected to the sensing device.

4. The lock of claim 1, wherein the sensing device produces a sensing area outsides the housing, the signal enters the sensing area, the sensing device receives the signal and controls the action of the dynamic element.

5. The lock of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is a radio frequency identification element.

6. The lock of claim 1, wherein the dynamic element is an electromagnetic valve;

the electromagnetic valve has a driving shaft, wherein the sensing device controls the driving shaft to extend or retract.

7. The lock of claim 1, wherein the dynamic element has a driving shaft, the driving shaft extends and pushes the first arm portion to drive the stopping element to rotate;

the second arm portion in the first state contacts the fastening element and restricts the fastening element to be in the securing position;

when the driving shaft drives the stopping element to rotate to the second state, the second arm portion releases the fastening element.

8. The lock of claim 1, wherein the fastening element comprises a latch disposed asides the connecting arm;

one end of the connecting arm contacts the stopping element in the first state;

the stopping element in the second state releases the fastening element, and the fastening element moves along the extension direction of the connecting arm to locate at the releasing position.

9. The lock of claim 8, wherein the housing further has a trough formed thereon and communicating with an interior of the housing, wherein the latch is capable of entering or leaving the trough, the latch stays in the trough when the fastening element is in the securing position.

10. The lock of claim 8 further including an operating device driving the fastening element to move.

11. The lock of claim 10, wherein the operating device is a press-button partially exposed and protruding out of the housing, wherein the operating device is disposed at one end of the connecting arm opposite to the stopping element, the operating device is pressed and pushes the fastening element in the extension direction of the connecting arm.

12. The lock of claim 1, wherein the second locking mechanism further comprises a driving portion, the driving portion is driven by a key and the key-lock lock body to change the state of the stopping element.

13. The lock of claim 1, wherein the stopping element further includes a fourth arm portion extending in a different extension compared to the first arm portion, the second arm portion, and the third arm portion;

wherein the first arm portion, the second arm portion, the third arm portion, and the fourth arm portion radiate from the axial portion.

17. A case, including:

a case body having a fastener for opening and closing the case body; and

a lock as recited in claim 1 disposed outside the case body and on a body wall, wherein the housing has a trough formed thereon, the trough communicates with an interior of the housing and corresponds to the fastener;

wherein the fastening element comprises a latch capable of entering or leaving the trough, the latch stays in the trough when the fastening element is in the securing position.

18. The case of claim 17, wherein the fastener has a through hole and is accommodated in the trough, the latch in the securing position passes through the through hole and retains the fastener in the trough.

19. The case of claim 17, wherein the latch has a guiding face;

when the stopping element is in the second state, the fastener is capable of moving along the guiding face, pushes the latch to temporarily leave the securing position and is inserted in the trough;

the latch goes back to the securing position and is retained in the trough.

20. The case of claim 17, wherein the stopping element further includes a fourth arm portion extending in a different extension compared to the first arm portion, the second arm portion, and the third arm portion;

wherein the first arm portion, the second arm portion, the third arm portion, and the fourth arm portion radiate from the axial portion.

14. A lock, including:

a housing;

a fastening element, movable and selectively located at a securing position and a releasing position, wherein the fastening element includes a connecting arm;

a stopping element having a first state and a second state;

wherein the stopping element in the first state restricts the fastening element to being in the securing position, the stopping element in the second state releases the fastening element, wherein the stopping element includes;

an axial portion;

a first arm portion;

a second arm portion angled away from the first arm portion; and

a third arm portion angled away from the second arm portion, wherein the connecting arm is able to be confined between the second arm portion and the third arm portion;

wherein the first arm portion, the second arm portion, and the third arm portion radiate from the axial portion;

a first locking mechanism, comprising;

a dynamic element moving with the stopping element and driving the stopping element to change between the first state and the second state; and

a sensing system electrically connected to the dynamic element, comprising a sensing device and a transmitting device, wherein signal transmission and recognition between the sensing device and the transmitting device controls the action of the dynamic element; and

a second locking mechanism comprising a key-lock lock body and a driving portion disposed in the housing;

wherein the driving portion is driven by a key and the key-lock lock body to change the state of the stopping element;

wherein the fastening element, the stopping element and the dynamic element are disposed in the housing, an outcome of the signal transmission and recognition is to activate the dynamic element, the fastening element moves relative to the housing and is selectively located at the securing position and the releasing position.

15. The lock of claim 14, wherein the sensing system is a radio frequency identification system including a reader and a tag, wherein the tag carries a code for recognition.

16. The lock of claim 14, wherein the stopping element further includes a fourth arm portion extending in a different extension compared to the first arm portion, the second arm portion, and the third arm portion;

wherein the first arm portion, the second arm portion, the third arm portion, and the fourth arm portion radiate from the axial portion.