Method of improving airline luggage inspection

• US 7,036,728 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Tropp
• Original Assignee: David Tropp
• Inventors: Tropp, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US10/988,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20050167494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 235/384, 235/380, 235/382, 70284-285, 70/56, 702/78, 703/12, 703/31, 283 68- 69, 283/74, 283/80
• 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 carrier baggage inspection by a baggage screening entity, comprising:

making available to consumers a 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 this special lock, the special lock designed to be applied to an individual piece of carrier baggage, the special lock also having an identification structure associated therewith that matches a corresponding identification structure previously provided to the baggage screening entity, which special lock the baggage screening entity 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 baggage screening entity to the special procedure,

the identification structure signaling to a baggage screener of the baggage screening entity that the baggage screening entity has agreed to subject the special lock associated with the identification structure to the special procedure, and

the baggage screening entity acting pursuant to a prior agreement to look for the identification structure while screening baggage and, upon finding said identification structure on an individual piece of baggage, to use the special procedure previously agreed to by the baggage screening entity to, if necessary, open the individual piece of baggage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the master key lock portion includes a key hole in 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 selling the special lock directly or indirectly to the consumers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification structure is integrally formed with the special lock.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the signaling involves a visual signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling involves a visual signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves mass producing the special lock for ultimate provision to the consumer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves providing the identification structure to a third party and causing the especial lock to be made available to the consumer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock means causing the special lock having the identification structure to be made available to the consumers.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification structure is located directly on the special lock.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves selling the special lock directly or indirectly to the consumers.

10. A method of improving carrier baggage inspection by a baggage screening entity comprising:

making available to consumers a special lock, having a first lock portion and a master key lock portion, the master key lock portion for receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of this special lock, the special lock designed to be applied to an individual piece of carrier baggage, the special lock also having an identification structure associated therewith that matches a corresponding identification structure previously provided to the baggage screening entity which special lock the baggage screening entity 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 baggage screening entity to the special procedure,

the identification structure signaling to a baggage screener of the baggage screening entity that the baggage screening entity has agreed to subject the special lock associated with the identification structure to the special procedure, and

the baggage screening entity acting pursuant to a prior agreement to look for the identification structure while screening baggage and, upon finding said identification structure on an individual piece of baggage, to use the special procedure previously agreed to by the baggage screening entity to, if necessary, open the individual piece of baggage.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the identification structure is located directly on the special lock.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves selling the special lock directly or indirectly to the consumers.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the identification structure is integrally formed with the special lock.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signaling involves a visual signal.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the signaling involves a visual signal.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves mass producing the special lock for ultimate provision to the consumers.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock involves providing the identification structure to a third party and causing the special lock to be made available to the consumers.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein a step of making available to consumers a special lock means causing the special lock having the identification structure to be made available to the consumers.