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US 6,182,482 B2Granted
Tamper proof lock assembly and key
AssigneeAegis Research Inc.
InventorNicholas Issitt
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAegis Research Inc.
InventorNicholas Issitt
Estimating the term…
A locking mechanism of the barb type is provided for releasably locking two elements together. One of the elements has two pairs of opposed barbs or hook type resilient members. The barbs or hooks of each pair facing each other and being spaced apart. The other element has a pair of opposed, spaced ledges with downwardly facing surfaces engageable, in a locking relationship, with the barbs. An appropriate size opening is provided in the first element above the opposed pairs of barbs. The opening is a round central portion and a pair of side lobes coextensive with the opposed pairs of barbs. A separate key having a central rotational axis is provided. The key has a handle, an intermediate round portion connected to a working end portion, and generally oval in shape or cross section. The key is insertable in the opening such that the narrow part of the oval portion rests between the pairs of opposed barbs. The key is rotated around its axis in either direction to simultaneously urge both pairs of opposed barbs away from each other and out of engagement with the ledges to unlock the mechanism. The key can be rotated to a central stable position to lock the barbs in an open or unlocked position.
A tamper proof lock assembly and key, said assembly comprising first and second elements, said first element comprising a lid, two pairs of laterally spaced resilient barbs depending from said lid, each pair of barbs comprising inwardly facing hooks spaced from each other, and a key opening in said lid above said barbs, said second element comprising a support and opposed ledges on said support lockingly engageable with the hooks of said barbs, said key having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, a handle at the first end and a barb engaging portion at the second end, said barb engaging portion being insertable into said opening, said key being rotatable about its axis 90 degrees to simultaneously release the two sets of barbs from the ledges, and a slot between the laterally spaced pair of barbs, said key detenting in said slot upon rotation of the key to maintain the assembly in an unlocked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.