Locking system for a container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11963594-B2
Application number	US-202117392546-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2021
Priority date	Aug 3, 2021
Publication date	Apr 23, 2024
Grant date	Apr 23, 2024

Abstract

A cabinet includes a locking system having a cabinet body including a bottom wall, a top wall, a first side wall, a second, opposing side wall, and a third side wall connected to the bottom wall, the top wall, and between the first side wall and the second side wall. At least one door is pivotally mounted to the cabinet body. The at least one door, bottom wall, top wall, first side wall, second side wall, and third side wall define a storage volume. A lock mechanism including a latch and release element is pivotally mounted inside the storage volume. The latch and release element is accessible only in the storage volume. A lock opening extends through the cabinet body at the lock mechanism. A lock element is insertable through the lock opening. The lock element includes a latch receiver that is selectively engageable by the latch and release element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cabinet comprising:
a cabinet body including a bottom wall, a top wall, a first side wall, a second, opposing side wall, and a third side wall connected to the bottom wall, the top wall, and between the first side wall and the opposing second side wall;
at least one door pivotally mounted to the cabinet body, the at least one door, bottom wall, top wall, first side wall, opposing second side wall, and third side wall defining a storage volume;
a lock mechanism including a latch and release element pivotally mounted to one of the bottom wall, top wall, first side wall, opposing second side wall, and third side wall inside the storage volume, the latch and release element being accessible only in the storage volume;
a lock opening extending through the one of the bottom wall, top wall, first side wall, opposing second side wall, and third side wall at the lock mechanism; and
a lock element selectively insertable through the lock opening into the storage volume, the lock element including a latch receiver that is selectively engageable by the latch and release element, the lock element being configured to be connected to a structure to prevent unauthorized removal of the cabinet,
wherein the lock opening defines a slot formed in one of the first side wall, second side wall, and the third side wall, the slot having an upper end and a lower end, a first guide element is arranged adjacent the upper end of the slot and a second guide element is arranged at the lower end of the slot, and
wherein the latch and release element is pivotally mounted to one of the first guide element and the second guide element.

2. The cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein the lock element includes a generally rectangular cross-section including a substantially planar surface defining an upper edge and a lower edge, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the latch receiver being defined in the upper edge.

3. The cabinet according to claim 2 , wherein the upper edge includes a first angled section and the lower edge includes a second angled section.

4. The cabinet according to claim 2 , wherein the lock element includes a cable opening extending through the first side surface and the second side surface of the substantially planar surface the cable opening being receptive of a cable that extends about the structure.

5. The cabinet according to claim 4 , wherein the lock element includes an opening cover projecting outwardly of the upper edge, the lower edge, the first side surface, and the second side surface between the opening and the latch receiver.

6. The cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein the lock element includes a substantially circular cross-section having first end, a second end, and a surface extending between the first end and the second end, the latch receiver being formed in the surface.

7. The cabinet according to claim 6 , wherein the latch receiver includes an outer surface and an annular recess formed in the outer surface.

8. The cabinet according to claim 7 , wherein the second end of the lock element includes a taper.

9. The cabinet according to claim 8 , wherein the lock element includes an opening cover projecting radially outwardly of the outer surface between the first end and the latch receiver.

10. The cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein the latch and release element includes a lock pin that is selectively received by the latch receiver.

11. The cabinet according to claim 10 , further comprising: a lock pin guide arranged adjacent the opening, the first guide element and the second guide element, the lock pin including an opening that is receptive of the lock pin.

12. The cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein the latch and release element includes a first end pivotally mounted to the first guide element and a second, cantilevered end defining a release handle.

13. A cabinet including a plurality of walls defining an internal storage volume, at least one of the plurality of walls including a lock opening, the comprising:
a lock mechanism comprising a latch and release element pivotally mounted to a wall of the cabinet inside the internal storage volume, the latch and release element being accessible only in the internal storage volume;
a lock opening extending through the wall at the lock mechanism; and
a lock element selectively insertable through the opening into the internal storage volume, the lock element including a latch receiver that is selectively engageable by the latch and release element, the lock element being configured to connected to a structure to prevent unauthorized removal of the cabinet,
wherein the lock opening defines a slot formed in one of the first side wall, second side wall, and the third side wall, the slot having an upper end and a lower end, a first guide element is arranged adjacent the upper end of the slot and a second guide element is arranged at the lower end of the slot, and
wherein the latch and release element is pivotally mounted to one of the first guide element and the second guide element.

14. The cabinet according to claim 13 , wherein the lock element includes a generally rectangular cross-section including a substantially planar surface defining an upper edge and a lower edge, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the latch receiver being defined in the upper edge.

15. The cabinet according to claim 14 , wherein the upper edge includes a first angled section and the lower edge includes a second angled section.

16. The cabinet according to claim 13 , wherein the lock element includes a substantially circular cross-section having first end, a second end, and a surface extending between the first end and the second end, the latch receiver being formed in the surface.

17. The cabinet according to claim 16 , wherein the latch receiver includes an outer surface and an annular recess formed in the outer surface.

18. The cabinet according to claim 14 , wherein the lock element includes a cable opening extending through the substantially planar surface.

19. The cabinet according to claim 14 , wherein the latch receiver comprises a rectangular notch formed in the upper edge.

20. The cabinet according to claim 16 , wherein the lock element includes a cable support provided at the first end.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Floarea George
• Akl David
• Wood Jonathan

Classifications

• A45C13/10 Primary

  Arrangement of fasteners · CPC title

• A45C5/00

  Rigid or semi-rigid luggage (collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00) · CPC title

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title

• E05C3/12

  with latching action (devices in which the securing part is formed or merely carried by a spring and moves only by distortion of the spring, e.g. snaps, E05C19/06; tilt-plate latches E05C19/007) · CPC title

• E05B73/00

  Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} · CPC title