111111111111111111111111111!11110111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(12) United States Patent (cid:9)
`Lee (cid:9)
`
`(10) Patent No.: (cid:9)
`(45) Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`(54) SELF-LOCKING CABLE LOCK
`
`(75) Inventor: Miko Lee, Hsin Chuang (TW)
`
`(73) Assignee: Grace LIN, Hsin Chuang (TW)
`
`( * ) Notice: (cid:9)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/313,676
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E05B 65/00 (cid:9)
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
`(2006.01)
` 70/58; 70/14; 70/57; 70/491;
`248/551 (cid:9)
` 70/57, (cid:9)
`(58) Field of Classification Search (cid:9)
`70/14, 18, 58, 491; 248/551 (cid:9)
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`1/2001 Derman
`6,173,591 B1
`6,244,080 Bl* 6/2001 Sakurai (cid:9)
`6,257,029 Bl* 7/2001 Liao (cid:9)
`6,295,847 B1
`10/2001 Zeren
`6,301,940 B1
`10/2001 Derman et al.
`6,463,770 B1* 10/2002 Lee (cid:9)
`6,513,350 B1
`2/2003 Hurd et al.
`6,553,794 B1
`4/2003 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,588,241 B1
`7/2003 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,591,642 B1
`7/2003 Kuo
`6,662,602 B1
`12/2003 Carl
`6,735,990 B1
`5/2004 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,758,069 B1
`7/2004 Derman
`6,886,376 Bl*
`5/2005 Kuo (cid:9)
`6,971,254 Bl* 12/2005 Bellow et al. (cid:9)
`6,973,809 B1 * 12/2005 Chang (cid:9)
`
` 70/14
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
` 70/14
` 70/58
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner (cid:9) Brian E. Glessner
`Assistant Examiner (cid:9) William Schrode
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm (cid:9) Bacon & Thomas
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(56) (cid:9)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,057,984 A * 11/1977 Avaiusini (cid:9)
`5,133,203 A
`7/1992 Huang
`5,327,752 A *
`7/1994 Myers et al. (cid:9)
`5,381,685 A
`1/1995 Carl et al.
`5,493,878 A
`2/1996 Murray, Jr. et al.
`5,502,989 A
`4/1996 Murray, Jr. et al.
`5,787,739 A
`8/1998 Derman
`5,836,183 A
`11/1998 Derman
`5,913,907 A *
`6/1999 Lee (cid:9)
`6,000,251 A
`12/1999 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,000,252 A
`12/1999 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,006,557 A
`12/1999 Carl et al.
`6,038,891 A
`3/2000 Zeren et al.
`6,112,561 A
`9/2000 Carl
`6,112,562 A
`9/2000 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,155,088 A
`12/2000 Murray, Jr. et al.
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
`A self-locking cable lock has a main shell, an external
`sleeve, an internal sleeve, a lock shell, a lock cylinder and
`a lock actuating assembly. The external sleeve is mounted in
`the main shell and has a stationary protruding rod extending
`out of the main shell. The internal sleeve is mounted in the
`external sleeve, is allowed to move axially relative to the
`external sleeve and has two movable protruding rods. The
`movable protruding rods extend out of the external sleeve
`and have inclined distal ends. The lock cylinder is mounted
`in the lock shell. The lock actuating assembly is mounted in
`the lock cylinder. The stationary protruding rod is pushed
`into a keyhole of a desired appliance and the movable
`protruding rods can be pressed to move axially. Then the
`cable lock is able to be self-locking.
`
`9 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`720
`
`21
`211
`
`2
`
`3 (cid:9)
`
`3 33 (cid:9)
`22 (cid:9)
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 1 of 13
`
`ACCO Brands
`Exhibit 1012
`ACCO Brands v. Think Products
`IPR2015-01152
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`111111111111111111111111111!11110111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(12) United States Patent (cid:9)
`Lee (cid:9)
`
`(10) Patent No.: (cid:9)
`(45) Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`(54) SELF-LOCKING CABLE LOCK
`
`(75) Inventor: Miko Lee, Hsin Chuang (TW)
`
`(73) Assignee: Grace LIN, Hsin Chuang (TW)
`
`( * ) Notice: (cid:9)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/313,676
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E05B 65/00 (cid:9)
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
`(2006.01)
` 70/58; 70/14; 70/57; 70/491;
`248/551 (cid:9)
` 70/57, (cid:9)
`(58) Field of Classification Search (cid:9)
`70/14, 18, 58, 491; 248/551 (cid:9)
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`1/2001 Derman
`6,173,591 B1
`6,244,080 Bl* 6/2001 Sakurai (cid:9)
`6,257,029 Bl* 7/2001 Liao (cid:9)
`6,295,847 B1
`10/2001 Zeren
`6,301,940 B1
`10/2001 Derman et al.
`6,463,770 B1* 10/2002 Lee (cid:9)
`6,513,350 B1
`2/2003 Hurd et al.
`6,553,794 B1
`4/2003 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,588,241 B1
`7/2003 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,591,642 B1
`7/2003 Kuo
`6,662,602 B1
`12/2003 Carl
`6,735,990 B1
`5/2004 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,758,069 B1
`7/2004 Derman
`6,886,376 Bl*
`5/2005 Kuo (cid:9)
`6,971,254 Bl* 12/2005 Bellow et al. (cid:9)
`6,973,809 B1 * 12/2005 Chang (cid:9)
`
` 70/14
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
` 70/14
` 70/58
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner (cid:9) Brian E. Glessner
`Assistant Examiner (cid:9) William Schrode
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm (cid:9) Bacon & Thomas
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(56) (cid:9)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,057,984 A * 11/1977 Avaiusini (cid:9)
`5,133,203 A
`7/1992 Huang
`5,327,752 A *
`7/1994 Myers et al. (cid:9)
`5,381,685 A
`1/1995 Carl et al.
`5,493,878 A
`2/1996 Murray, Jr. et al.
`5,502,989 A
`4/1996 Murray, Jr. et al.
`5,787,739 A
`8/1998 Derman
`5,836,183 A
`11/1998 Derman
`5,913,907 A *
`6/1999 Lee (cid:9)
`6,000,251 A
`12/1999 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,000,252 A
`12/1999 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,006,557 A
`12/1999 Carl et al.
`6,038,891 A
`3/2000 Zeren et al.
`6,112,561 A
`9/2000 Carl
`6,112,562 A
`9/2000 Murray, Jr. et al.
`6,155,088 A
`12/2000 Murray, Jr. et al.
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
` 70/58
`
`A self-locking cable lock has a main shell, an external
`sleeve, an internal sleeve, a lock shell, a lock cylinder and
`a lock actuating assembly. The external sleeve is mounted in
`the main shell and has a stationary protruding rod extending
`out of the main shell. The internal sleeve is mounted in the
`external sleeve, is allowed to move axially relative to the
`external sleeve and has two movable protruding rods. The
`movable protruding rods extend out of the external sleeve
`and have inclined distal ends. The lock cylinder is mounted
`in the lock shell. The lock actuating assembly is mounted in
`the lock cylinder. The stationary protruding rod is pushed
`into a keyhole of a desired appliance and the movable
`protruding rods can be pressed to move axially. Then the
`cable lock is able to be self-locking.
`
`9 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`720
`
`21
`211
`
`2
`
`3 (cid:9)
`
`3 33 (cid:9)
`22 (cid:9)
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 2 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 7 (cid:9)
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`0
`l•
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 3 of 13
`
`

`

`lualud °S11
`
`L JO Z WIN
`
`la ssc`cLo'L sa
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 7 (cid:9)
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`41. (cid:9) M.
`
`r... M. N
`
`,o
`
`-".".."..NN
`
`N
`m4-
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 5 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`33
`
`FIG.5
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 6 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Jul. 11, 2006 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 7 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 7 (cid:9)
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`522
`
`25
`
`80
`
`,
`
`\-- r23
`
`\)\ \\\
`i
`33
`
`\•'\,, (cid:9)
`210
`
`V
`
`I
`
`,..,\\
`
`10
`
`20
`
`-81 (cid:9)
`
`24 (cid:9)
`FIG.8
`
`FIG.9
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 8 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Jul. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`40
`
`52
`522
`63
`
`F1G.10
`
`34
`
`25
`
`42
`
`51
`
`80
`
`,-90
`
`30 (cid:9)
`
`//4/1/1
`
`:// 23 !
`
`(cid:9) miztl (cid:9) N-Nv
`law (cid:9) k
`
`
`24
`
`64 (cid:9)
`
`20
`
`1 6
`
`611 (cid:9)
`62
`FIG.11
`
`21
`210
`
`
`
`10
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 9 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`1
`SELF-LOCKING CABLE LOCK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5 (cid:9)
`
`10
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a cable lock, especially to
`a self-locking cable lock.
`2. Description of the Prior Arts
`Cable locks are attached securely to cables that bind, lock
`and hold objects securely. Generally speaking, small, high
`value, pilferable objects such as computers, household appli-
`ances and the like on display need to be locked in place.
`Cable locks are used to keep the objects from being stolen.
`However, conventional cable locks must be locked and
`unlocked with keys. Using keys to lock conventional cable 15
`locks on objects is inconvenient because the keys must be
`controlled and protected.
`To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention
`provides a self-locking cable lock to mitigate or obviate the
`aforementioned problems. (cid:9)
`
`20
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The main objective of the present invention is to provide
`a self locking cable lock. The self-locking cable lock has a 25
`main shell, an external sleeve, an internal sleeve, a lock
`shell, a lock cylinder and a lock actuating assembly. The
`external sleeve is mounted in the main shell and has a
`stationary protruding rod extending out of the main shell.
`The internal sleeve is mounted in the external sleeve, is 30
`allowed to move axially relative to the external sleeve and
`has two movable protruding rods. The movable protruding
`rods extend out of the external sleeve and have inclined
`distal ends. The lock cylinder is mounted in the lock shell.
`The lock actuating assembly is mounted in the lock cylinder. 35
`The stationary protruding rod is pushed into a keyhole of a
`desired appliance and the movable protruding rods can be
`pressed to move axially. Then the cable lock is able to be self
`locking.
`Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the 40
`invention will become more apparent from the following
`detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`45
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a
`computer and a self-locking cable lock in accordance with
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the self-locking 50
`cable lock in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an operational rear view in partial section of the
`self-locking cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is
`locked; (cid:9)
`FIG. 4 is an operational rear view in partial section of the
`self-locking cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is
`unlocked;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view in partial section of the
`self-locking cable lock in FIG. 1; (cid:9)
`FIG. 6 is a front view of the self-locking cable lock in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7 is an operational front view of the self-locking
`cable lock in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a side view in partial section of the self-locking 65
`cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is at an unlocked
`status;
`
`60
`
`55
`
`2
`FIG. 9 is an operational side view in partial section of the
`self-locking cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is
`locked with the computer;
`FIG. 10 is a side view in partial section of the self-locking
`cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is at a locked status;
`and
`FIG. 11 is an operational side view in partial section of the
`self-locking cable lock in FIG. 1 when the cable lock is
`unlocked from the computer.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a self-locking cable lock
`in accordance with the present invention comprises a cable
`(70), a main shell (10), an external sleeve (20), an internal
`sleeve (30), a lock shell (40), a lock cylinder (50) and a lock
`actuating assembly (60).
`The main shell (10) is tubular, is attached to the cable (70)
`and may have two opening ends, a sidewall and a joint (11).
`The joint (11) is formed on the sidewall of the main shell
`(10) and is attached to the cable (70).
`The external sleeve (20) is mounted rotatably in the main
`shell (10), is tubular and has a front end, a rear end, an outer
`wall, an inner wall, a stationary protruding rod (23), two
`through holes (211), a slot (24) and a passing hole (25). With
`further reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, the external sleeve (20)
`may have an annular groove (210), a C-clip (80) and two
`sector recesses (26). The front end may be a close end (21).
`The rear end may be an opening end (22). The stationary
`protruding rod (23) is formed on the front end of the external
`sleeve (20), extends out of the main shell (10) and has a
`proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, two channels
`(231) and an optional protrusion (232). The channels (231)
`are oppositely formed axially in the exterior surface of the
`stationary protruding rod (23). The protrusion (232) is
`formed transversely on the distal end of the stationary
`protruding rod (23). The through holes (211) are formed
`through the front end of the external sleeve (20) and respec-
`tively correspond to the channels (231) in the stationary
`protruding rod (23). The slot (24) is formed longitudinally in
`the inner wall of the external sleeve (20). The passing hole
`(25) is formed through the inner and outer walls of the
`external sleeve (20) and is opposite to the slot (24). The
`annular groove (210) is formed around the external sleeve
`(20) near the front end. The C-clip (80) engages the annular
`groove (210) to keep the external sleeve (20) from departing
`from the main shell (10) axially. The sector recesses (26) are
`formed separately in and extend axially along the inside wall
`of the external sleeve (20).
`The internal sleeve (30) is mounted in the external sleeve
`(20), is only allowed to move axially with respect to the
`external sleeve (20) and rotates simultaneously with respect
`to the external sleeve (20). The internal sleeve (30) has a
`front end, a rear end, a sidewall, two movable protruding
`rods (33), an annular flange (34) and two gaps (36). The
`front end may be a close end (31). The rear end may be an
`opening end (32). The movable protruding rods (33) are
`formed separately on the front end of the internal sleeve
`(30), extend out of the through holes (211) in the external
`sleeve (21) and are slidably held inside the channels (231) in
`the stationary protruding rod (23), respectively. Each mov-
`able protruding rod (33) has an inclined distal end. The
`annular flange (34) is formed around the rear end of the
`internal sleeve (30). The gaps (36) are formed separately in
`the sidewall of the internal sleeve (30), respectively corre-
`spond to the slot (24) and the passing hole (25) in the
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 10 of 13
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`3
`external sleeve (20) and may divide the sidewall into two
`sector parts (35). The sector parts (35) respectively corre-
`spond to and engage the sector recesses (26) in the external
`sleeve (20) to allow the internal sleeve (30) moving axially
`with respect to the external sleeve (20) and rotating simul-
`taneously with the external sleeve (20).
`The lock shell (40) is mounted in the internal sleeve (30)
`and has a sidewall, a through hole (41) and a passing hole
`(42). The through hole (41) is formed through the sidewall
`of the lock shell (40) and corresponds to and align with the
`slot (24) in the external sleeve (20). The passing hole (42) is
`formed through the sidewall of the lock shell (40) and
`corresponds to and align with the passing hole (25) in the
`external sleeve (20).
`The lock cylinder (50) is mounted in the lock shell (40)
`and has a stationary segment (51), a spring (81), a rotatable
`segment (52) and a locking pin assembly (53).
`The stationary segment (51) is tubular, is mounted in the
`lock shell (40) near the front end and has a front end, a rear
`end, a sidewall, a through hole (514), a passing hole (515)
`and an optional protrusion (513). The front end may be a
`close end (511). The rear end may be an opening end (512).
`The through hole (514) is formed through the sidewall of the
`stationary segment (51) and corresponds to and align with
`the through hole (41) in the lock shell (40). The passing hole
`(515) is formed through the sidewall of the stationary
`segment (51) and corresponds to and align with the passing
`hole (42) in the lock shell (40). The protrusion (513) is
`formed on the close end (511) of the stationary segment (51).
`The spring (81) is mounted in the internal sleeve (30), is
`mounted between the front end of the stationary segment
`(51) of the lock cylinder (50) and the internal sleeve (30) and
`may be mounted around the protrusion (513) on the station-
`ary segment (51).
`The rotatable segment (52) is mounted in the lock shell
`(40) near the rear end and has a front end, a rear end, an
`active turning protrusion (521) and an optional central post
`(522). The active turning protrusion (521) is semicircular, is
`formed on the front end of the rotatable segment (52) and
`extends into the stationary segment (51). The central post
`(522) is formed on the rear end of the rotatable segment (52).
`The locking pin assembly (53) is mounted in the station-
`ary and rotatable segments (51, 52). When the locking pin
`assembly (53) is locked, the rotatable segment (52) is
`restricted to be not rotatable with respect to the stationary
`segment (51). When the locking pin assembly (53) is
`unlocked, the rotatable segment (52) is allowed to be rotat-
`able with respect to the stationary segment (51).
`The lock actuating assembly (60) is mounted in the
`stationary segment (51) of the lock cylinder (50) and has a
`guide rod (61), an actuating rod (63), a spring (64) and an
`optional bearing (62).
`The guide rod (61) is mounted in the stationary segment
`(51) of the lock cylinder (50) and has an outer end, an inner
`end, an optional head (611) and an optional receiving recess
`(612). The outer end extends through the through holes (514,
`41) of the stationary segment
`(51) and the lock cylinder (40)
`and through the gap (36) of the internal sleeve (30) and
`extends into the slot (24) in the external sleeve (20). The
`head (611) is formed on the inner end of the guide rod (61).
`The receiving recess (612) is formed in the inner end of the
`guide rod (61).
`The actuating rod (63) is mounted movably in the sta-
`tionary segment (51) of the lock cylinder (50) and has an
`outer end, an inner end, an inactive turning protrusion (631)
`and an optional receiving recess (632). The outer end
`extends through the passing holes (515, 42) of the stationary
`
`25
`
`10 (cid:9)
`
`4
`segment (51) and the lock cylinder (40), selectively extends
`through the gap (36) of the internal sleeve (30) and selec-
`tively extends into the passing hole (25) of the external
`sleeve (20). The inactive turning protrusion (631) is formed
`5 (cid:9) on the inner end of the actuating rod (63) and abuts the active
`turning protrusion (521) of the rotatable segment (52) of the
`lock cylinder (50). The receiving recess (632) is formed in
`the inner end of the actuating rod (63) and corresponds to the
`receiving recess (612) of the guide rod (61).
`The spring (64) is mounted between the guide rod (61)
`and the actuating rod (63) and is attached respectively to the
`inner ends of the guide rod (61) and the actuating rod (63).
`The spring (64) may be mounted respectively in the receiv-
`ing recesses (612, 632) of the guide rod (61) and the
`15 actuating rod (63).
`The bearing (62) is mounted in the through hole (41) of
`the lock shell (40) and is mounted around the guide rod (61)
`to abut the head (611) of the guide rod (61) to keep the guide
`rod (61) from escaping the through hole (41) of the lock
`20 shell (40).
`With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lock cylinder (50) is
`locked and the rotatable segment (52) is not allowed to be
`rotatable with respect to the stationary segment (51). The
`outer end of the actuating rod (63) engages the passing hole
`(25) of the external sleeve (20). Therefore, the lock cylinder
`(50) is not allowed to move axially with respect to the
`external sleeve (20). The front end of the stationary segment
`(51) of the lock cylinder (50) presses against the spring (81)
`30 to keep the internal sleeve (30) from moving axially with
`respect to the external sleeve (20).
`With reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 8 and 11, inserting a proper
`key to unlock the lock cylinder (50) allows the rotatable
`segment (52) to be rotatable with respect to the stationary
`35 segment (51). When the rotatable segment (52) rotates, the
`actuating rod (63) is retracted into the lock shell (40) to leave
`the passing hole (25) of the external sleeve (20) because the
`active turning protrusion (521) of the rotatable segment (52)
`abuts the inactive turning protrusion (631) of the actuating
`40 rod (63). Then the lock shell (40) and the lock cylinder (50)
`are pushed by the spring (81) to extend out of the external
`sleeve (20) from the rear end. Because the guide rod (61)
`extends through the through holes (514, 41) of the lock shell
`(40) and the stationary segment (51) and extends into the slot
`45 (24) in the external sleeve (20), the lock shell (40) and the
`lock cylinder (50) only can move axially with respect to the
`external sleeve (20).
`With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-11, the cable lock as
`described is pushed to lock into a keyhole (91) in a desired
`so appliance (90). The keyhole (91) of the desired appliance
`(90) is a step hole to alternatively allow the stationary
`protruding rod (23) or the movable protruding rods (23) to
`pass through. The stationary protruding rod (23) is inserted
`into the keyhole (91). When the movable protruding rods
`55 (33) contact with the appliance (90), the internal sleeve (30)
`is pushed to extend out of the internal sleeve (20). When the
`internal sleeve (30) can not be pushed backward any more,
`the inclined distal ends of the movable protruding rods (33)
`slides along the appliance (90) to self rotate the internal
`60 sleeve (30) and the external sleeve (20) is rotated simulta-
`neously. Therefore, the movable protruding rods (33) are
`allowed to extend into the keyhole (91) and the cable lock
`engages the keyhole (91). After the engagement, the lock
`shell (40) and the lock cylinder (50) is pushed into the
`65 external sleeve (20) to mount the lock shell (40) and the lock
`cylinder (50) securely in the external sleeve (20). Then the
`cable lock is locked in the keyhole (91).
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 11 of 13
`
`

`

`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`5 (cid:9)
`
`15 (cid:9)
`
`20 (cid:9)
`
`25
`
`30
`
`10 (cid:9)
`
`5
`The advantage of the present invention as discussed
`below. With the protruding rods (23, 33) on the external and
`internal sleeves (20, 30) and the simultaneously rotating
`between the external and internal sleeve (20, 30), the cable
`lock can be self locking into the keyhole (91) without the
`proper key. Being self locking for the cable lock is more
`convenient.
`Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of
`the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing
`description, together with details of the structure and fea-
`tures of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only.
`Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of
`shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of
`the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general
`meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
`expressed.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A self-locking cable lock comprising:
`a cable;
`a main shell attached to the cable and being tubular;
`an external sleeve mounted rotatably in the main shell,
`being tubular and having
`a front end;
`a rear end;
`an outer wall; (cid:9)
`an inner wall;
`a stationary protruding rod formed on the front end of
`the external sleeve, extending out of the main shell
`and having
`a proximal end; (cid:9)
`a distal end;
`an exterior surface; and
`two channels oppositely formed axially in the exte-
`rior surface of the stationary protruding rod;
`two through holes formed through the front end of the 35
`external sleeve and respectively corresponding to the
`channels in the stationary protruding rod;
`a slot formed longitudinally in the inner wall of the
`external sleeve; and
`a passing hole formed through the inner and outer walls 40
`of the external sleeve and being opposite to the slot;
`an internal sleeve mounted in the external sleeve, move-
`ably with respect to the external sleeve, rotating simul-
`taneously with the external sleeve and having
`a front end; (cid:9)
`a rear end;
`a sidewall;
`two movable protruding rods formed separately on the
`front end of the internal sleeve, extending out of the
`through holes in the external sleeve and slidably held so
`respectively in the channels in the stationary pro-
`truding rod, and each movable protruding rod having
`an inclined distal end;
`an annular flange formed around the rear end of the
`internal sleeve; and (cid:9)
`two gaps formed separately in the sidewall of the
`internal sleeve and respectively corresponding to the
`slot and the passing hole in the external sleeve;
`a lock shell mounted in the internal sleeve and having
`a sidewall;
`a through hole formed through the sidewall of the lock
`shell and corresponding to and aligning with the slot
`in the external sleeve; and
`a passing hole formed through the sidewall of the lock
`shell corresponding to and aligning with the passing
`hole in the external sleeve;
`a lock cylinder mounted in the lock shell and having
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60 (cid:9)
`
`65 (cid:9)
`
`6
`a stationary segment being tubular, mounted in the lock
`shell near the front end and having
`a front end;
`a rear end;
`a sidewall;
`a through hole formed through the sidewall of the
`stationary segment and corresponding to and
`aligning with the through hole in the lock shell;
`and
`a passing hole formed through the sidewall of the
`stationary segment and corresponding to and
`aligning with the passing hole in the lock shell;
`a spring mounted in the internal sleeve and mounted
`between the front end of the stationary segment of
`the lock cylinder and the internal sleeve;
`a rotatable segment mounted in the lock shell near the
`rear end and having
`a front end;
`a rear end; and
`an active turning protrusion being semicircular,
`formed on the front end of the rotatable segment
`and extending into the stationary segment; and
`a locking pin assembly mounted in the stationary and
`rotatable segments, wherein when the locking pin
`assembly is locked, the rotatable segment is
`restricted to be keep from rotatable with respect to
`the stationary segment and when the locking pin
`assembly is unlocked, the rotatable segment is
`allowed to be rotatable with respect to the stationary
`segment; and
`a lock actuating assembly mounted in the stationary
`segment of the lock cylinder and having
`a guide rod mounted in the stationary segment of the
`lock cylinder and having
`an outer end extending through the through holes of
`the stationary segment and the lock cylinder and
`through one of the gaps of the internal sleeve and
`extending into the slot in the external sleeve; and
`an inner end;
`an actuating rod mounted movably in the stationary
`segment of the lock cylinder and having
`an outer end extending through the passing holes of
`the stationary segment and the lock cylinder,
`selectively extending through one of the gaps of
`the internal sleeve and selectively extending into
`the passing hole of the external sleeve;
`an inner end; and
`an inactive turning protrusion formed on the inner
`end of the actuating rod and abutting the active
`turning protrusion of the rotatable segment of the
`lock cylinder; and
`a spring mounted between the guide rod and the
`actuating rod and attached respectively to the inner
`ends of the guide rod and the actuating rod.
`2. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 1,
`wherein
`the front ends of the external sleeve, the internal sleeve
`and the stationary segment of the lock cylinder are
`close ends; and
`the rear ends of the external sleeve, the internal sleeve and
`the stationary segment of the lock cylinder are opening
`ends.
`3. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 2,
`wherein
`the external sleeve has two sector recesses formed sepa-
`rately in and extend axially along the inside wall of the
`external sleeve; and
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 12 of 13
`
`

`

`US 7,073,358 B1
`
`7
`the gaps of the internal sleeve divides the sidewall of the
`internal sleeve into two sector parts respectively cor-
`responding to and engaging the sector recesses in the
`external sleeve to allow the internal sleeve moving
`axially with respect to the external sleeve and rotating
`simultaneously with respect to the external sleeve.
`4. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 3,
`wherein the external sleeve has
`an annular groove formed around the external sleeve near
`the front end; and
`a C-clip engaging the annular groove to keep the external
`sleeve from departing from the main shell axially.
`5. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 4,
`wherein
`the guide rod has a head formed on the inner end of the
`guide rod; and
`the lock actuating assembly has a bearing mounted in the
`through hole of the lock shell and mounted around the
`guide rod to abut the head of the guide rod to keep the
`guide rod from escaping the through hole of the lock
`shell.
`6. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 5,
`wherein
`
`5 (cid:9)
`
`8
`the guide rod has a receiving recess formed in the inner
`end of the guide rod;
`the actuating rod has a receiving recess formed in the
`inner end of the actuating rod and corresponding to the
`receiving recess of the guide rod; and
`the spring of the lock actuating assembly mounted respec-
`tively in the receiving recesses of the guide rod and the
`actuating rod.
`7. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 6,
`io wherein the stationary protruding rod of the external sleeve
`has a protrusion formed transversely on the distal end of the
`stationary protruding rod.
`8. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 7,
`wherein the rotatable segment of the lock cylinder has a
`15 central post formed on the rear end of the rotatable segment.
`9. The self-locking cable lock as claimed in claim 8,
`wherein the main shell has
`two opening ends;
`a sidewall; and
`a joint formed on the sidewall of the main shell and attach
`to the cable.
`
`20 (cid:9)
`
`Ex. 1012 - Page 13 of 13
`
`