The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2017
Filed:
May. 14, 2015
Timothy P. Laabs, Palatine, IL (US);
Michael O. Misner, Lake Villa, IL (US);
Timothy P. Laabs, Palatine, IL (US);
Michael O. Misner, Lake Villa, IL (US);
THE EASTERN COMPANY, Wheeling, IL (US);
Abstract
A tubular lock and its operating key have safety features that render the lock and key well suited for use with food freezer appliances and the like where the keyway of the lock extends horizontally. The tubular portion of the operating key, and the keyway of the tubular lock are cooperatively configured so a key inserted into the keyway of the lock fits quite loosely and is minimally supported even when fully inserted. The graspable bow of the operating key is made unusually long causing the center of gravity of an inserted operating key to be spaced far from the front face of the lock—so the weight of the loosely fitting and minimally supported operating key levers the graspable bow downwardly, causing the key to drop from the keyway unless being held in the keyway. Gravity is optimally used to effect key ejection.