Cable lock

Abstract

A cable lock comprising a housing having two longitudinal channels extending therethrough, a pocket at one end, and a cable having one end permanently locked within one channel. There is a spring disposed within the other channel, a cap disposed in the pocket to retain the spring and a gripping mechanism slidably disposed within the second channel adjacent the spring. The second channel is tapered toward the end nearest the gripping mechanism. The gripping mechanism is a substantially rectangular device having a plurality of gripping teeth arranged in two rows along its top edge to form a plurality of opposing tooth pairs. The gripping mechanism is also tapered to conform to the tapered channel in which it is disposed. There is a longitudinal concave channel for receiving the other end of the cable disposed on the top surface of the gripping mechanism between each pair of teeth and an angled front surface for leading the other end of cable into longitudinal concave channel. The spring exerts a preload on the gripping mechanism and the teeth grip the cable and allow the cable to be inserted into but not removed from the housing. The only way to release the cable from the housing is to cut the cable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.