FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)


TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Central Locking System with Combination Lock
APPLICANTS
VIP Industries Limited, an Indian company having its registered office at 78A MIDC Estate, Satpur, Nashik 422007, Maharashtra, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following complete specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.


A Central Locking System with Combination Lock
The present invention relates to a central locking system with combination lock for travel cases such as a suitcase or a briefcase. This type of a locking system is especially useful for a suitcase, which may or may not have a reinforcing frame.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Generally, luggage cases have two side latches on the front side and a security means as a combination lock hereinafter referred as CBL. The side locks are latches, which may be provided with a single or multilever locking security means for additional security.
Luggage cases which are available in the market comprise a snap shut locking mechanism. Such a mechanism has a center lock, which is a combination lock but the latches provided are such that after stuffing the case, when the top portion of the case (lid) is pressed over the bottom of the case, they get latched together with a click sound. To open the case, the sliders should be moved away in the opposite directions and the lid pops up a little, due to the spring force thereby enabling the user to lift the lid. In such locks, the security means provided at the center as a combination lock, restricts the movement of the sliders during operation and hence the sliders cannot be moved to open the case. These types of locks are usually used in briefcases and small cases and are described in our Indian Patent application No. 33/MUM/2001.
These locking systems cannot be used in the suitcases, which are comparatively large in size. To open the luggage case, the ejectors are essential and play a major role in lifting the top lid. If the ejectors could not lift the top lid, the
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projections of the sliders will again remain engaged in the lock hooks fitted in the top lid and the user will not be able to open the luggage. Therefore, the ejection force required to open the cases for this stuffed heavy top lid will be very high. This is a major reason for not using this type of lock in a suitcase, in which the top lid is separately packed with articles and becomes heavy.
Secondly, latching of the top lid is very weak as compared to regular side latches. These ace also suitcase.?, with side- latching, mechanism and with centes locking system. But these suitcases are provided with key locks as center locking means as described in our Indian Patent application No. 33/MUM/2001. These suitcases do not possess a combination lock which is preferred over the key lock since it does not require any key and it opens up with a password set by the user.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
One of the object of the present invention is to provide a combination locking system which is simple in construction and operation and which does not require any key but opens up with a password set by the user. This type of locking system is useful for luggage cases, which are big as a suitcase/briefcase. By means of this locking system the opening of the luggage case is by the non-alignment of the latches. Hence the requirement of having a high ejection force is not necessary.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage case, which has additional security.
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DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a central locking system with a combination lock for a luggage case, comprising a combination central digital lock at the center of the front wall of the luggage case on one of the shells, a pair of side latches fitted one on each side. The combination lock at center comprises three drums provided with numerals 0 to 9, centrally mounted on a spring with a biased pin, which can be shifted axially with a lever, to set the number and a pivoted latch to control the shifting of a sliding button, the side latches are linked to the central lock by means of sliders to engage and disengage from each other.
With reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 shows a suitcase with a central locking system with Key Lock and a combination lock.
Fig. 2 shows the front view of the multi-locking arrangement.
Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the center lock with a combination lock.
Fig. 4 shows the complete central locking system with combination lock according to the invention.
Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the side latches.
Fig. 6 shows the working of the central, number lock according to the present invention.
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The construction of this multi-locking arrangement consists of two side latches 21 and 22 on the left and right side, on the front side 4 of the luggage, and one combination lock 5 at the central area, attached with a slider mechanism 16a. This construction is illustrated in fig. 2.
Construction of the side latches 21 and 22 are as described in patent application No. 33/MUM/2001. The exploded views of these side latches are included in figure 5.
The center lock is a combination lock 5, exploded view of the same is shown in figure 3. The construction and working of the combination lock is as follows:
The combination lock 5 consists of three drums 5a provided with numerals from 0 to 9, (which in combination can be read as a three digit number), centrally mounted on a spring 5c with a biased pin 5b, which axially can be shifted with a lever 5d, to set the number. Each of these drums are provided with teethed bushes 5e, meshed with the teeth 5f on the inner diameter of the drums, and are detachable from the teeth when the collar of the pin 5b is axially shifted by lever 5d while setting the number. These bushes have circular periphery at one of its step 5g. This periphery has a flat portion 5h on each of the bush, which causes the movement of the output main locking lever 5i. The sub assembly of three drums 5a alongwith teethed bushes 5e on axial pin 5b, spring 5c and change lever 5d are mounted in a housing 5j with the help of two side walls 5k and 51. Below the drums, adjacent to the stepped periphery of the bush, the spring 5q biased with main locking lever 5i is pivoted in the main housing at a point 51. The whole arrangement is located on the inner side of the one of the shells of the luggage case.
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When the lock is set to a three digit number, the flat portion 5h of the teethed bushes 5e matches with the main locking lever contact point 5m. Changing any digit, by rotating the drum 5a, mismatches the flat portion with the main locking lever 5i, hence the main locking lever 5i laterally moves around the pivot step 51 (refer fig 6). The main locking lever 5i has locking tip 5n at the outer most edge, which is used for locking the lock hook 7 of the top shell and the auxiliary extension tip 5p of the main locking lever is used for locking the slider of the complete multilock as hereinafter described as a whole.
When the password has to be changed, the teethed bushes 5e are disengaged from the drums 5a by moving the change shift lever 5d to shift the pin 5b. When the teeth are unmeshed, the drums 5 a can be rotated, without changing the teethed bush position. The new password of the user can be set, and the lever is set with the drum again, thus the lock is ready for use, with the changed password.
Figure 4 shows the complete central locking system with combination lock. The complete locking system is fitted on the front side 4 of the luggage case. The side latches 21 and 22 are fitted on each side of the front wall and a combination lock 5 at center, the drums of the combination lock 5, protrude out through slots 26 of the channel 20 alongwith handle 6 of the shells or reinforcing frame of the luggage. The side latches 21 and 22 function by engaging the locking tip 2In into lock hook 7 fitted on the top lid. The exploded view of the side latches is shown in figure 4. These side latches 21 and 22 are fitted to the luggage case through the holes 8 along with an inner base 9, which works as guide for locking sliders 10 and 11 on RH & LH side, inside the luggage. The side latches have a "T" shaped anchor 2Id, that goes onto the other side of the frame when the latches are closed (i.e. inside of the luggage) through holes 12 located on the front side lock fitment area 4. When
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the latches are latched the "T" shaped anchor gets in line, with the inner base 9, to facilitate locking and unlocking by the movement of the locking sliders 10 and 11 inside the luggage. The side latches can be opened without any fouling, when the locking sliders 10 and 11 do not come into the way of the "T" shaped anchor.
The locking sliders 10 and 11 (LH & RH), having a guided motion in inner base 9, are connected to the connector 13 through two weak links 14 and 15. The connector 13 is snap fitted to the sliding button 16 on the front side of luggage case, which protrudes out through an opening 17 in the front channel 20 of the luggage case. The sliding button 16 is guided in slider latch housing 18, passing through sliding latch 19, so as to move the sliding latch 19 along with the sliding button 16. The sliding latch 19 has a groove 19a corresponding to the CBL anchor tip 5p, in a way, that when the CBL is locked, the anchor tip 5p enters into the groove 19a of the sliding latch 19, thereby preventing the sliding latch 19 from shifting transversely. The CBL assembly and the sliding latch assembly are covered with a channel 20 of the luggage case. The channel 20 has another opening 29 to locate window of 18a of slider housing 18 for accommodating anchor of an auxiliary security chain. The anchor gets latched with the edge 19b of sliding latch 19, when the sliding latch is shifted for locking. The edge 19b, is lockable with the CBL and holds the anchor of any auxiliary security chain (not shown) for additional security purpose of the luggage.
The complete assembly inside the luggage case is covered with inner covers 24 and 25 and a separate CBL inner cover 27 (fitment not described).
To operate this locking mechanism, initially the side latches 21 and 22 are closed and then the sliding button 16 is shifted to left side. The movement of
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the sliding button 16 to left side, shifts the connector 13 alongwith both the locking sliders 10 and 11 through weak links 14 and 15, in the inner covers 24 and 25 inside the luggage case. The guided movement of the locking sliders in the inner base 9, is such that the locking sliders 10 and 11 come in the way of "T" shaped anchor 2Id of the side latches 21 and 22. Hence the side latches cannot be opened. To secure the position of the locking sliders 10 and 11, which are rigidly connected to the connector 13 through weak links 14 and 15 and the sliding button 16 and sliding latch 19, the CBL number is shifted. This causes the main locking lever 5p of the GBL to get engaged into the groove 19a of the sliding latch 19. Due to this, sliding button 16 cannot be shifted, and in turn the side latches 21 and 22 cannot be opened, and the luggage remains secured. In this position, the CBL locking tip 5n also gets engaged with the CBL Lock hook 28 fitted to the top shell. This adds to the security, by securing the opening at the center.
To open the luggage case, the password number is brought on the combination lock by rotating the drums. This causes the tip of main locking lever 5 of the combination lock to get disengaged from groove 19a. Thus the sliding button 16 is shifted to the right side, alongwith the sliding latch 19, connector 13, weak links 14 and 15 and the locking sliders 10 and 11. The locking sliders 10 and 11 come out of the way of the anchors 2Id, which facilitates the opening of the side latches 21 and 22.
The invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment. It is intended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A central locking system for luggage cases comprising a combination digital lock provided centrally on one of the shells of the said luggage case, a pair of side latches one on either side thereof, said combination lock consisting of three drums each marked with numerals 0 to 9 mounted on axially shiftable biased spring means, said side latches being engagable with slidably disposed locking sliders capable of engaging and disengaging with said drums on actuation.
2. The central locking system as claimed in claim 1 wherein actuation is provided centrally on said shell, said channel having slots through which said drums of combination lock protrude each said drums being provided with teethed bushes meshing with teeth provided on the inner diameter of said drums and is detachable there from when axially shifted each bush having circular periphery at one of its step and has a flat portion to facilitate the movement.
3. The central locking system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said drums have teethed bushes, axial pin, spring and change lever are mounted within a housing.
4. The central locking system as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein spring biased main locking lever is pivoted in the main housing at a point below the drums and adjacent to the stepped periphery of the bush.
5. The central locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flat portion of the teethed bushes is provided to match or mismatch with the main locking lever contact point or to enable the opening and locking of the luggage case.
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6. The central locking system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the main locking lever is provided with an auxiliary tip to lock the slider of the complete multilock as a whole.
7. The central locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking sliders are connected to a connector through two weak links, said connector is snap fitted to the said sliding button located which protrudes out through a slot in the front channel of the luggage case.
8. The central locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sliding latch has a groove that corresponds to the central lock anchor tip which allows the anchor tip to enter into the groove and prevent the sliding latch from shifting transversely.
9. The central locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the said sliding latch has an edge to latch the auxiliary anchor of security chain for additional security.
10. A central locking system with a combination lock for a luggage case substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.