Method of improving airline luggage inspection

• US 20050167494A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Tropp
• Original Assignee: David Tropp
• Inventors: Tropp, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,036,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/384
• 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 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/491 Distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/413 Padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/417 Combination-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key

Abstract

Method of making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler comprises making a special lock available to airline travelers, the special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock, the master key lock portion receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type. The special lock is designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage and has indicia conveying to luggage purchasers that the special lock is “approved” by a luggage screening authority and conveying to the luggage screening authority that the special lock can be opened using the master key. The method includes providing the luggage screening authority directly or indirectly with exclusive access to the master key. The manufacturers and/or providers of the master key and special lock retain copies of the master key.

Claims

1. A method of improving airline luggage inspection by a luggage screening authority, comprising:

making available to consumers a special lock, the special lock having a combination lock portion and having a master key lock portion, the master key lock portion for receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type, the special lock designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage, and an indicia associated with the special lock that matches an indicia previously provided to the luggage screening authority which special lock and associated indicia the luggage screening authority has agreed to process in accordance with a special procedure,

marketing the special lock to the consumers in a manner that conveys to the consumers that the special lock will be subjected by the luggage screening authority to the special procedure, and

the luggage screening authority acting pursuant to a prior agreement to look for the indicia while screening luggage and, upon finding said indicia on an individual piece of luggage, to use the master key previously provided to the luggage screening authority to, if necessary, open the individual piece of luggage and not try to break the individual piece of luggage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the master key lock portion includes a key hole on a bottom of the special lock that receives the master key.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves mass producing the special lock and selling the special lock to the consumers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia is located directly on the special lock.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves mass producing the special lock and selling the special lock to the consumers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of making available to consumers an indicia associated with the special lock involves making available a special lock and/or an indicia that has a distinctive shape, texture, color and/or weight.

4. A method of improving airline luggage inspection by a luggage screening authority comprising:

making available to consumers a special lock, the special lock having a first lock portion and having a master key lock portion, the master key lock portion for receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type, the special lock designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage, and an indicia associated with the special lock that matches an indicia previously provided to the luggage screening authority which special lock and associated indicia the luggage screening authority has agreed to process in accordance with a special procedure,

marketing the special lock to the consumers in a manner that conveys to the consumers that the special lock will be subjected by the luggage screening authority to the special procedure, and

the luggage screening authority acting pursuant to a prior agreement to look for the indicia while screening luggage and, upon finding said indicia on an individual piece of luggage, to use the master key previously provided to the luggage screening authority to, if necessary, open the individual piece of luggage and not try to break the individual piece of luggage.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the indicia is located directly on the special lock.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of making available to consumers an indicia associated with the special lock involves making available a special lock and/or an indicia that has a distinctive shape, texture, color and/or weight.