Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Chen
`
`US005829280A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,829,280
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`[54] CABLE LOCKING DEVICE WITH
`AUTOMATIC POP_UP FEATURE
`
`[75] Inventor: Jung-Tai Chen, Hsin Tien, Taiwan
`_
`_
`_
`_
`_
`[73] Ass1gnee: Chong-Kuan Ling, Taipei, Taiwan
`
`[21] Appl' N05 951,368
`[22]
`Filed:
`Oct 16 1997
`’
`Int. Cl.6 .................................................... .. E0513 61/06
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. ................................... .. 70/49; 70/58; 70/233;
`70/386
`[58] Field of Search .................................. .. 70/18, 49, 58,
`70/233, 386, DIG, 33, DIG, 36; 292/DIG_ 72
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1882 Donahue ..................... .. 70/DIG. 36 X
`264,639
`3,855,824 12/1974 Falk ....... ..
`4,597,599
`7/1986 Bisbing ..................... .. 292/DIG. 72X
`4,633,689
`1/1987 Wolniak et al. ............ .. 70/DIG. 36 X
`
`5,170,650 12/1992 Kortenbrede ........................ .. 70/386 X
`5,447,043
`9/1995 Hwang
`70/386 X
`5,664,445
`9/1997 Chang ................................. .. 70/386 X
`Primary Examiner_L1Oyd A Gan
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Bacon & Thomas
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cable locking device With an automatic pop-up feature is
`provided. The cable locking device includes a main body
`and a cable having one end ?xed to one side of the main
`body and the other end releasably fastened to and locked by
`a spring-biased locking mechanism mounted in the main
`body. The cable can be easily locked to the locking mecha
`nism Simply by snapping a locking head ?xedly connected
`on the locking end of the cable to the locking mechanism. To
`unlock, the user needs just to insert the associated key of the
`locking device to the locking core of the locking device and
`turn it to the unlocking position. By a head pop-up
`mechanism, the locking head can be popped up to the
`Outside Of the main body The Operation of the Cable locking
`device is thus very easy and effortless.
`
`7 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`24
`
`1 O
`
`30
`
`4° 70 14
`
`52
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 1 of 16
`
`ACCO Brands
`Exhibit 1009
`ACCO Brands v. Think Products
`IPR2015-01152
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 2 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 2 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`FIG.1B
`
`FIG.1B
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 3 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`
`0v
`
`
`
`.2uxr35N»39V33.§\\\\\\\\\\\\\§V\N\le/l/IU‘
`
`.1./
`
`@—
`
`
`
`
`IQ“
`Ill:
`
`
`:7457/17.!4\Nulm
`A\‘Kw\\\\\
`
`
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 4 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 4 of 16
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`N
`%
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`wM
`m
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`
`m,V\m\III
`W.7////mn-_-"._.‘
`m:
`
`
`1‘
`
`Ol
`
`\
`
`O<
`
`- \
`
`0M
`
`§
`
`Nm
`
`\V\\\.\vl
`
`1|..me5“-\~fllflllllfi4
`“\kmxé..,,./67/x.
`
`
`
`no
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 5 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 5 of 16
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`mm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mV.4,“IIIla.0
`
`
`51/4.31
`
`\mms\\\\\\\\\h‘\\\\\“‘0k\\4.................N>z§////£III.—$8~s\\\\\\\\\x\\\\\
`
`ON
`
`
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 6 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 6 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`
`
`///A\.|‘II/ln
`fl////:2E
`\,\\\\\\\\§\\\..\..
`_,___
`
`
`\\“‘\
`
`.vN
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 7 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 7 of 16
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 0f 10
`Sheet 7 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`
`
`.1230%.on.VN
`
`
`
`\‘Is\\\\\u§\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\EV\\\\
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`\\//7///,./..__u.._____
`
`“xzfifilg
`9/6V//////4E4.
` \\.\\.\\\\\\V\\§
`\III
`\xfiu‘xg
`
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 8 of 16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 8 of 16
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 0f 10
`Sheet 8 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 9 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`\r/\é
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.—
`
`
`
`é/f/Ell.mt!\xEE/:xv»sill/.1
`lkgsr5%“E_v,
`omN\\\\\\\\\M\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`&\\\\\\“\A.\\\\\\\
`\‘‘.‘““~“‘-b
`
`
`3.mmoE
`
`
`
`
`
`.;E5//,.....\.E._‘___
`\\\§\\\\\\\.\\\\\\\\\\\.I..V/fl/j.
`V‘““~‘\“‘>
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex.1009- Page 10 of16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 10 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`5,829,280
`5,829,280
`
`51
`Fm
`
`12
`
`53
`
`30 \ 49 40 52 47
`
`1o
`
`24
`
`swxv‘lVl
` ZéxEt
`
`\§\\.§V\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`\\\.\\\\\\\55V\\\\\
`
`\x\\\\
`
`\\\k\Va
`
`
`LEE-ml
`\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
` $2..
`\“““““‘»\
`
`
`‘3
`
`l/§_.............-\mm“\7////,/////
`
`0N
`
`O
`(D
`
`23 9 45 47
`
`FIG.12
`NWOE
`
`Ex.1009- Page 11 of16
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 11 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`CABLE LOCKING DEVICE WITH
`AUTOMATIC POP-UP FEATURE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention:
`This invention relates to locking devices, and more
`particularly, to a cable locking device With an automatic
`pop-up feature for cable ring locks that are used, for
`example, on bicycles or motorcycles to prevent theft thereof
`2. Description of Related Art:
`A cable locking device is a ring lock Which includes a
`cable having one end ?xedly fastened to the locking device
`and the other end attached With a locking head and releas
`ably locked to the same. When both ends of the cable are
`fastened to the locking device, a ring is formed, Which can
`be used to coil around the Wheels of bicycles or motorcycles
`to prevent theft thereof Conventional cable locking devices
`includes dial type and key type. In
`the case of the dial type,
`the user needs to hold the main body of the locking device
`With one hand, then use the other hand to set the correct dial
`number, and ?nally use the same hand to pull the locked end
`of the cable from the locking device. The operational steps
`are quite laborious and inconvenient to do. In the case of the
`key type, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,650, the operational
`steps are even more inconvenient, in that, after the cable is
`unlocked, the user still needs to hold the key in the turned
`state to alloW the cable to be WithdraWable from the locking
`device. This usually causes strains to the hands, particularly
`the hand holding the key. There exists, therefore, a need for
`a neW cable locking device that can alloW the locked end of
`the cable to be automatically popped up from the locking
`device once it is unlocked.
`Still another draWback of the conventional cable locking
`device is that the locking head of the cable can be inserted
`into and locked by the locking mechanism only When the
`locking device is in unlocking state. For instance, in the case
`of the dial type, the user needs to set the dial to the correct
`number before the locking head of the cable can be inserted
`into and locked by the locking mechanism, and in the case
`of the key type, the user needs to insert the key to the locking
`device and then turn the core member to the unlocking
`position before the locking head of the cable can be inserted
`into and locked by the locking mechanism. The operational
`steps of the conventional cable locking device are thus very
`laborious to do.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
`provide a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up
`feature Which alloWs the locking head of the cable to be
`popped up automatically When the locking device is
`unlocked by using the key of the locking device, Without
`requiring the user to manually pull the cable out from the
`main body of the locking device.
`It is another objective of the present invention to provide
`a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up feature
`Which alloWs the unlocked cable to be inserted into and
`locked by the locking device Without having to use the key
`of the locking device.
`It is a further objective of the present invention to provide
`a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up feature
`Which utiliZes an axial locking mechanism instead of a radial
`locking mechanism as in prior art that alloWs the locking
`device to be more easily operable than the prior art.
`It is still a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`5,829,280
`
`2
`feature Which alloWs the tWo ends of the cable to be freely
`rotatable When the cable is in locked state, alloWing the user
`to easily and conveniently handle the locking device.
`It is still a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up
`feature Which alloWs the key of the locking device to be
`easily WithdraWable from the key hole of the locking device
`after the locking device has been unlocked by the key, and
`also alloWs the unlocked cable to be easily relocked by the
`locking device.
`It is still a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a cable locking device With an automatic pop-up
`feature Which is simpler in structure than prior art so that
`assembly Will be easy and manufacturing cost Will be
`reduced.
`In accordance With the foregoing and other objectives of
`the present invention, a cable locking device With an auto
`matic pop-up feature is provided. The cable locking device
`of the invention includes the folloWing constituent parts:
`(a) a cable having a ?rst end ?xed to a fastening head and
`a second end ?xed to a locking head having a ring slot
`formed around the surface thereof;
`(b) a main body having a fastening means for ?xedly
`fastening the fastening head of the cable thereto, the
`main body further being formed With a head hole Which
`alloWs the fastening head to pass therethrough to the
`inside of the main body and at least one Wedge-like
`protrusion on the inner Wall thereof near the head hole;
`(c) a locking core mounted in the main body, the locking
`core including an inner cylinder having a key hole for
`receiving a key of the locking device, the inner cylinder
`being connected to a locking tongue Which is turnable
`When the key inserted in the key hole is turned,
`(d) a locking mechanism mounted in the main body, the
`locking mechanism having a holloWed inside parti
`tioned by a separator into a tongue receptacle for
`receiving the locking tongue of the locking core therein
`and a head receptacle for receiving the locking head of
`the cable therein, the locking mechanism being formed
`With at least one ball hole used to hold a ball therein,
`the ball being abutted on the Wedge-like protrusion on
`the inner Wall of the main body When the locking
`mechanism is mounted in the main body;
`(e) an elastic member mounted in the main body betWeen
`the locking core and the locking mechanism, the elastic
`member applying both a radial bias and an axial bias to
`the locking mechanism, the axial bias urging the lock
`ing mechanism toWard the head hole While the radial
`bias urging the ball to be shifted to the Wedge-like
`protrusion and intruding into the holloWed inside of the
`head receptacle; and
`(f) a head pop-up mechanism mounted in the head recep
`tacle in the locking mechanism, the head pop-up
`mechanism including an urging member and a com
`pressed spring provided betWeen the urging member
`and the separator, the spring applying a bias on the
`urging member toWard the head hole.
`With the foregoing cable locking device, When the lock
`ing head is inserted into the head hole intending to fasten and
`lock the locking head to the locking mechanism, the ball is
`being supported by the Wedge-like protrusion to have part
`intruding the holloWed inside of the head receptacle, thereby
`alloWing the locking head to be shifted axially inWards by
`means of the urging member until the ball is shifted aWay
`from the Wedge-like protrusion and retreated from the head
`receptacle, alloWing the locking head to freely pass over the
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 12 of 16
`
`

`

`5,829,280
`
`3
`ball and entirely contained in the head receptacle;
`subsequently, When manual pushing force on the locking
`head is removed, the elastic member being released from
`compressed state to urge on and drive the locking mecha
`nism back to original position, alloWing the ball to again
`abut on the Wedge-like protrusion and inset in the ring slot
`in the surface of the locking head, thereby latching the
`locking head securely in position.
`Further, When the key of the locking device is inserted
`into the key hole in the inner cylinder and turned, the locking
`mechanism is turned correspondingly, alloWing the ball to be
`shifted from the highest point of the Wedge-like protrusion
`to the loWest point of the same and retreated from the head
`receptacle, alloWing the compressed spring to be released
`and thus urge on the urging member to pop up the locking
`head to the outside of the main body. The operation of the
`cable locking device of the invention is thus very easy.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`The invention can be more fully understood by reading
`the folloWing detailed description of the preferred
`embodiments, With reference made to the accompanying
`draWings, Wherein:
`vieW of the cable
`FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective
`locking device With an automatic pop-up feature according
`to the invention;
`FIG. 1B is a perspective vieW of the cable locking device
`of the invention in the locked state;
`FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional diagram of the main
`body of the cable locking device of the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional diagram of a locking
`mechanism utilized in the cable locking device of the
`invention;
`FIGS. 4 through 7 are longitudinal sectional diagrams of
`the cable locking device of the invention, Which are respec
`tively used to depict the step-by-step mechanical actions in
`the cable locking device of the invention;
`FIG. 8 is a cross sectional diagram of the cable locking
`device of the invention cutting through the line 8—8 in FIG.
`7;
`FIG. 9 is a cross sectional diagram of the same shoWn in
`FIG. 7 except for that herein the locking mechanism is
`turned to an unlocked position;
`diagram of the cable
`
`FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional
`locking device of the invention cutting through the line
`10-10 in FIG. 9;
`diagram of the same
`FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional
`
`shoWn in FIG. 10 except for that herein the locking head has
`been pushed to the outside of the main body; and
`FIG. 12 is another longitudinal sectional diagram of the
`cable locking device shoWn in FIG. 11 cutting through the
`line 12—12.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cable locking device
`With an automatic pop-up feature according to the invention
`is composed of a main body 10 and a cable 60 having a ?rst
`end 61 ?xed to a permanent fastening head 63 and a second
`end 62 ?xed to a releasable locking head 64. The fastening
`head 63 is formed With a ring slot 65 around the surface
`thereof, and similarly, the locking head 64 is formed With a
`ring slot 66 around the surface thereof. The main body 10 is
`formed With a receptacle 11 having a holloWed inside for
`
`4
`receiving the fastening head 63 therein, With the fastening
`head 63 being securely fastened in position to the receptacle
`11 by means of insetting tWo pins 67 through holes formed
`in the Wall of the receptacle 11 to come into abutment on the
`ring slot 65 around the fastening head 63. The pins 67 stop
`the fastening head 63 from being WithdraWable, thus alloW
`ing the fastening head 63 to be securely fastened to the
`receptacle 11 but rotatable on the same. The locking head 64
`on the other end of the cable 60 can be inserted into a head
`hole 12 in the main body 10 of the locking device to be
`locked by the locking mechanism 40 such that the cable 60
`can be fastened to the main body 10 to form a ring lock as
`shoWn in FIG. 1B. It is a main feature of the locking device
`of the invention that, When the locking head 64 is unlocked,
`it can pop up automatically aWay from the main body 10
`Without having to manually pull it. Detailed mechanism of
`this Will be described in the folloWing.
`Referring also to FIG. 2, the main body 10 has a holloWed
`inside. The inner Wall of the main body 10 is formed With
`Wedge-like protrusions 14 having a radially inclined surface
`(as shoWn in FIGS. 8 and 9) and an axially included surface
`(as shoWn in FIGS. 4 through 7). The locking device further
`includes a locking core 20, an elastic member 30 such as a
`tWist spring, a locking mechanism 40, and a head pop-up
`mechanism 50.
`As shoWn in FIG. 1, the locking core 20 includes a casing
`21 formed With a longitudinal protrusion 26 on its surface
`and an inner cylinder 22 having a key hole 25 formed on one
`side and a locking tongue 23 formed on the other side. The
`locking core 20 is mounted in position in the main body 10
`by inserting it through an opening 13 formed on the other
`side of the main body 10, With the longitudinal protrusion 26
`thereof sliding along an elongated longitudinal groove
`formed in the inner Wall of the main body 10. Then, the
`locking core 20 is secured in position in the main body 10
`by inserting a pin 24 through a hole 16 formed in the outer
`Wall of the main body 10 and then a hole 27 in the casing 21
`of the locking core 20. This alloWs the locking core 20 to be
`mounted securely, not able to be rotatable or shiftable, in the
`main body 10. The inner cylinder 22 and the locking tongue
`23 are rotatable by inserting the key of the locking device
`into the key hole 25 and then manually turning the key of the
`locking device. In locked state, the inner cylinder 22 and
`locking tongue 23 are latched in position. Detailed mecha
`nism of the casing 21 and inner cylinder 22 is conventional,
`so description thereof Will not be further detailed.
`Referring to FIG. 1 together With FIG. 4, the elastic
`member 30 is a tWist spring having a ?rst end 31 ?xed to the
`casing 21 of the locking core 20 and a second end 32 ?xed
`to the locking mechanism 40. The elastic member 30 alloWs
`the locking mechanism 40 to be biased axially repelling
`from the locking core 20 and radially tending to turn in a
`speci?c direction.
`Referring to FIG. 1 together With FIG. 3, the locking
`mechanism 40 is substantially a cylindrical member having
`a holloWed inside Which is partitioned by a separator 46 into
`a ?rst receptacle 42 for receiving the locking tongue 23
`therein and a head receptacle 45 for receiving the locking
`head 64 therein. The ?rst receptacle 42 is formed into a
`shape that matches the shape of the locking tongue 23. When
`the user inserts the key of the locking device into the key
`hole 25 to turn the inner cylinder 22, the locking tongue 23
`Will be rotated to turn the locking mechanism 40. Due to the
`axial elastic force from the elastic member 30, the tip of the
`locking tongue 23 is separated from the innermost Wall of
`the ?rst receptacle 42 by a distance of about half of the depth
`of the ?rst receptacle 42, resulting in an empty space that
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 13 of 16
`
`

`

`5,829,280
`
`5
`allow the locking mechanism 40 to be pushed by the locking
`core 20. A pair of axially symmetrical ball holes 48 are
`formed in the cylindrical surface near the opening 44 at the
`second end 43 of the locking mechanism 40, each being used
`to hold a steel
`ball 70 therein. Each of the ball holes 48 is
`smaller in diameter than the steel ball 70 in such a manner
`that, When the steel ball 70 is set therein, part of the steel ball
`70 lies Within the holloWed inside of the head receptacle 45.
`The holloWed inside of the head receptacle 45 is matched in
`shape to the locking head 64 of the cable 60 so that locking
`head 64 can be inserted snugly in the head receptacle 45.
`Further, the cylindrical surface of the locking mechanism 40
`is formed With a pair of axially symmetrical ear-like portions
`49 Which can be inset in a corresponding pair of grooves 17
`(see FIG. 2) formed in the inner Wall of the main body 10.
`This alloWs the locking mechanism 40 to be axially movable
`While preventing angular movement of the same.
`Referring to FIG. I together With FIG. 4, the head pop-up
`mechanism 50 is inset in the head receptacle 45 of the
`locking mechanism 40. The head pop-up mechanism 50 is
`composed of an urging member 51 and a compressed spring
`52 mounted betWeen the urging member 51 and the sepa
`rator 46. The compressed spring 52 alloWs the urging
`member 51 to constantly provide an outWard urging force.
`The urging member 51 is substantially a cylindrical member
`having an outer diameter substantially equal to the bore of
`the head receptacle 45. Further, the urging member 51 has a
`holloWed inside for receiving one end of the spring 52 that
`is ?xed thereto. The other end of the spring 52 is ?xed to the
`separator 46. The outer surface of the member 51 is formed
`With a pair of radially symmetrical guide ears 53 Which are
`provided corresponding to a pair of guide grooves 47 and
`formed in the inner surface of the locking mechanism 40,
`alloWing the urging member 51 to be axially slidable.
`As shoWn in FIG. 4, in unlocked state When the key of the
`locking device is not being inserted in the key hole 25 and
`the locking head 64 of the cable 60 is not being inserted in
`the head hole 12, the inner cylinder 22 and locking tongue
`23 are positioned in unlocking position. Since the locking
`mechanism 40 and the locking tongue 23 are subjected to
`both of the axial force and radial torque from the elastic
`member 30, the steel balls 70 are urged to abut on the highest
`point of the Wedge-like protrusions 14, alloWing part of the
`steel balls 70 to intrude the head receptacle 45. Further, in
`the unlocked state of the locking device, the urging member
`51 in the head pop-up mechanism 50 is urged to a position
`betWeen the head hole 12 and the steel ball 70 due to the
`elastic force from the spring 52.
`To fasten and lock the cable 60 to the locking device, the
`user can manually insert the locking head 64 of the cable 60
`into the head hole 12 in the main body 10. By doing this, the
`locking head 64 is locked to the locking device. The user
`needs not to use the key of the locking device to turn the
`inner cylinder 22 and the locking mechanism 40 to the
`unlocked state in order to receive the locking head 64 as
`required When using a prior art locking device.
`The operational steps involved in the locking of the
`locking head 64 to the locking device are depicted in the
`folloWing With reference to FIGs. 4 through 7
`Referring ?rst to FIG. 4, When the user inserts the locking
`head 64 into the head hole 12 in a direction as indicated by
`the arroW A, the urging member 51 is pushed inWards. Since
`part of the steel balls 70, Which are supported by the
`respective Wedge-like protrusions 14, intrudes into the
`hol
`loWed inside of the head receptacle 45, the inWard moving
`of the urging member 51 Will cause the urging member 51
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6
`to urge on the steel balls 70 and the locking mechanism 40
`against the opposing elastic force from the elastic member
`30. As a result, the steel balls 70 Will be shifted inWards until
`they are no longer supported by the Wedge-like protrusions
`14.
`Referring further to FIG. 5, as the steel balls 70 are no
`longer supported by the Wedge-like protrusions 14, they Will
`be urged to shift radially outWards to the empty space S1 left
`betWeen the locking mechanism 40 and the outer Wall of the
`main body 10. As a result, the urging member 51 and the
`locking head 64 are no longer stopped by the steel balls 70
`and the urging member 51 can keep moving inWards to pass
`over the steel balls 70 until the locking mechanism 40 is
`stopped by the fully compressed elastic member 30.
`Referring further to FIG. 6, When the locking head 64 is
`pushed till the ?anged portion 68 thereof meets the front end
`of the main body 10, it can no longer move in further. When
`the ?anged portion 68 is stopped by the front end of the main
`body 10, the ring slot 66 of the locking head 64 is exactly
`located at a position Where the steel balls 70 are currently
`located. Due to the opposing elastic force from the elastic
`member 30, the steel balls 70 can be pushed into the ring slot
`66 of the locking head 64. At this time, the elastic member
`30 and the spring 52 are both pushed to a compressed state.
`Referring further to FIGS. 7 and 8, the user can then free
`his/her hand from pushing the locking head 64. This alloWs
`the compressed elastic member 30 and the spring 52 to be
`release their elasticity forces Which push the locking mecha
`nism 40, the urging member 51, and the locking head 64
`back to their original positions. The steel balls 70, hoWever,
`are inset into
`the ring slot 66 of the locking head 64 to be
`shifted axially outWards With the locking head 64 and the
`locking mechanism 40 until the steel balls 70 are moved
`back to their original positions Where they are abutted on the
`Wedge-like protrusions 14. The steel balls 70 are therefore
`locked betWeen the ring slot 66 and the Wedge-like protru
`sions 14,
`thereby acting as a stopper that stops the locking
`head 64 to be further WithdraWable. As a result, the locking
`head 64 is locked to the locking mechanism 40, Which can
`be unlocked and WithdraWable from the locking mechanism
`40 only by using the key of the locking device. The cable is
`thus fastened to the main body 10 to form a ring lock. Since
`the elastic member 30 is larger both in siZe and elastic
`constant than the spring 52, the elastic member 30 can urge
`the locking mechanism 40 to move at a faster pace than the
`urging of the spring 52 on the locking head 64. Therefore,
`the steel balls 70 can be urged to enter the head receptacle
`45 and then timely inset into the ring slot 66 of the sloWer
`moving locking head 64.
`In this preferred embodiment, the steel balls 70 are 2/8 inch
`in diameter that act as a double-ball latching mechanism that
`can latch the locking head 64 securely in position in the
`locking mechanism 40. The steel balls 70 can be hardly
`unlatched by forcefully knocking on the main body 10 by the
`thieves. The locking device of the invention can thus provide
`a very reliable locking effect to the cable 60.
`Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, When the user Wants to
`unlock the locking head 64 of the cable 60 from the locking
`mechanism 40, he/she needs just to insert the key 80 of the
`locking device into the key hole 25 in the locking core 20
`and then turn the key 80. By turning the key 80, the inner
`cylinder 22 and the locking tongue 23 are turned, thereby
`alloWing the locking mechanism 40 to be turned against the
`elastic force of the elastic member 30 to an unlocking
`position as
`illustrated in FIG. 9. When the locking mecha
`nism 40 is turned to the unlocking position, the steel balls 70
`
`Ex. 1009 - Page 14 of 16
`
`

`

`5,829,280
`
`7
`inset in the ring slot 66 of the locking head 64 Will be shifted
`angularly about the axis of the locking mechanism 40 over
`the Wedge-like protrusions 14, causing the steel balls 70 to
`be shifted from the highest point to the loWest point of the
`Wedge-like protrusions 14. As a result of this, an empty
`space S2 is formed betWeen the steel balls 70 and the inner
`Wall of the main body 10, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Under
`this condition, the elastic force applied by the spring 52 on
`the head pop-up mechanism 50 is released, thereby causing
`the urging member 51 and the locking head 64 to be axially
`pushed outWards and the steel balls 70 to be shifted toWard
`the empty space S2 and entirely driven out of the head
`receptacle 45. As a result, the steel balls 70 can no longer
`latch the locking head 64, alloWing the locking head 64 to
`be popped up by means of the elastic force from the spring
`52 to the outside of the head hole 12, as illustrated in FIG.
`11. The locking head 64 is thus separated from the main
`body 10. Due to the guide ears 53 formed on the urging
`member 51, the urging member 51 is unable to pass through
`the head hole 12 and thus stopped at the head hole 12, as
`illustrated in FIG. 12.
`After the unlocking process is completed, the user can
`release the key 80. This alloWs the elastic force from the
`compressed elastic member 30 resulted from the earlier
`turning of the locking mechanism 40 to be released, thereby
`propelling the locking mechanism 40, the locking tongue 23,
`and the inner cylinder 22 back to their original positions in
`unlocking state. Then, the user can WithdraW the key 80
`from the key hole 25. The unlocking process is then com
`pleted.
`In conclusion, the cable locking device of the invention
`disclosed above has several advantages over prior art.
`First, the automatic pop-up feature alloWs the user to
`easily unfasten the cable from the main body of the locking
`device simply by holding the main body With one hand and
`then turning the key With the other hand. The locking head
`fastening the cable to the main body of the locking device
`can then be automatically pop up. The operation is thus very
`easy and convenient.
`Second, the locking device of the invention alloWs the
`unfastened cable to be fastened and locked to the main body
`Without having to use the key, alloWing the
`cable locking
`device of the invention to be quickly put into use.
`Third, the axial locking feature alloWs easy and conve
`nient operation of the locking device to fasten the cable
`thereto, particular in the case of the main body being large
`in siZe or the cable being a chain of steel rings.
`Fourth, the fastening head and locking head ?xed to both
`ends of the cable are both rotatably fastened to the main
`body of the locking device, alloWing the user to easily
`handle and operate the locking device of the invention.
`Fifth, after the cable is unlocked from the main body, all
`constituent parts in the main body are restored to ready
`positions that alloW the user to refasten and lock the cable to
`the main body. The locking device of the invention is
`therefore very convenient to use.
`Sixth, the use of the double-ball latching mechanism
`alloWs the latching effect on the locking head of the cable to
`be more securely enforced. The steel balls can be hardly
`unlatched by forcefully knocking on the main body by the
`thieves. The locking device of the invention is thus very
`reliable for use in preventing theft of the objects being
`locked thereby.
`Seventh, the cable locking device of the invention is
`simple in structure and thus easy to manufacture. The
`manufacturing cost is thus low.
`
`10
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`Eight, the cable locking device of the invention is more
`strengthened in structure and locking effect so that it Would
`not be easily damaged by the thieves. The locking device of
`the invention is thus very reliable for use in preventing theft
`of the objects being locked thereby.
`The invention has been described using exemplary pre
`ferred embodiments. HoWever, it is to be understood that the
`scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodi
`ments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various
`modi?cations and similar arrangements. The scope of the
`claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpre
`tation so as to encompass all such modi?cations and similar
`arrangements.
`I claim:
`1. A locking device, comprising:
`a cable having a ?rst end ?xed to a fastening head and a
`second end ?xed to a locking head having a ring slot
`formed around the surface thereof,
`a main body having a fastening means for ?xedly fasten
`ing said fastening head of said cable thereto, said main
`body further being formed With a head hole Which
`alloWs said locking head to pass therethrough to the
`inside of said main body and at least one Wedge-like
`protrusion on the inner Wall thereof near said head hole;
`a locking core mounted in said main body, said locking
`core including an inner cylinder having a key hole for
`receiving a key of said locking device, said inner
`cylinder being connected to a locking tongue Which is
`turnable When the key inserted in the key hole is turned;
`a locking mechanism mounted in said main body, said
`locking mechanism having a holloWed inside parti
`tioned by a separator into a tongue receptacle for
`receiving said locking tongue of said locking core
`therein and a head receptacle for receiving said locking
`head of said cable therein, said locking mechanism
`being formed With at least one ball hole used to hold a
`ball therein, said ball being abutted on said Wedge-like
`protrusion on the inner Wall of said main body When
`said locking mecha