Food freezer locks and keys having safety features for preventing child entrapment

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9644397
SERIAL NO

14545508

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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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.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
EASTERN COMPANY THE21944 DRAKE ROAD CLEVELAND OH 44149

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Laabs, Timothy P Palatine, US 24 396
Misner, Michael O Lake Villa, US 44 518

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