Cable locking device

A cable locking device includes a housing, a cable extending outward through a cable passage in the housing and terminating at a cable end connector receivable in a cable connection port in the housing, and a locking mechanism assembled with the housing and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking mechanism is in the locked position, a first cable securing portion secures the cable against movement within the cable passage in at least an outward direction, and a second cable securing portion secures the cable end connector within the cable connection port. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the first cable securing portion permits movement of the cable within the cable passage in the outward direction, and the second cable securing portion permits removal of the cable end connector from the cable connection port.

BACKGROUND

Security devices, such as for example, padlocks and other types of conventional locks are known in the art. Many security devices are provided for restricting access to enclosures, for example, by securing hasps or other lock points on doors or gates, or for restricting access to equipment and control instruments, including, for example, electrical components, such as switches, dials, push buttons, and electrical connections, and fluid system components, such as valves, pressure regulators, and fluid conduit fittings and connectors. Some locking devices are provided with an adjustable and/or selectively detachable cable that may be secured around or through a lock feature (e.g., a hasp, latch, or other such feature) to provide a locking condition.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present application, in an exemplary embodiment, a cable locking device includes a housing, a reel at least partially disposed in the housing and rotatable in a first, cable tightening direction and a second, cable loosening direction, a cable having a first end portion fixed to the reel and a second end portion extending outward through a cable passage in the housing, at least one clamp member disposed in the housing and defining at least a portion of the cable passage, and a locking mechanism assembled with the housing and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The at least one clamp member is movable between a clamping position in which the at least one clamp member engages a portion of the cable disposed in the cable passage to prevent movement of the cable within the cable passage in at least an outward direction, and a releasing position in which the at least one clamp member permits movement of the cable within the cable passage in the outward direction. The locking mechanism includes a reel securing portion and a clamp member securing portion, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the reel securing portion secures the reel against rotation in the cable loosening direction, and wherein when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the clamp member securing portion secures the at least one clamp member in the releasing position.

In another exemplary embodiment, a cable locking device includes a housing, a reel at least partially disposed in the housing and rotatable in a first, cable tightening direction and a second, cable loosening direction, the reel including a plurality of latch portions disposed around a periphery of the reel, a cable having a first end portion fixed to the reel and a second end portion extending outward through a cable passage in the housing, and a locking mechanism assembled with the housing. The locking mechanism includes a latching lever that engages an aligned one of the plurality of latch portions, and a locking cam that pivots the latching lever out of engagement with the plurality of latch portions when the locking cam is rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position, to permit rotation of the reel in the cable loosening direction.

In another exemplary embodiment, a cable locking device includes a housing, a cable having a first end portion retained within the housing and a second end portion extending outward through a cable passage in the housing and terminating at a cable end connector, the cable end connector being receivable in a cable connection port in the housing, and a locking mechanism assembled with the housing and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism including a first cable securing portion and a second cable securing portion. When the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the first cable securing portion secures the cable against movement within the cable passage in at least an outward direction, and the second cable securing portion secures the cable end connector within the cable connection port. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the first cable securing portion permits movement of the cable within the cable passage in the outward direction, and the second cable securing portion permits removal of the cable end connector from the cable connection port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. Also, while specific exemplary embodiments in the present application describe cable lockout devices including an enclosed ratcheting cable retaining reel and a connection port for securing a terminal end of the cable, one or more of the features described herein may additionally or alternatively be applied to other types of cable locking devices, including, for example, locking devices that do not have an internal reel, locking devices with cables that do not have a detachable end portion, locking devices that do not have a ratcheting or cinching feature.

According to an aspect of the present application, a cable locking device may be provided with an internal reel rotatable in a cable tightening direction, for example, for retaining an unused portion of a cable and/or for cinching or securing the cable through or around a locking feature, and rotatable in a cable loosening direction, for example, for releasing the cable from the locking feature. The cable locking device may be provided with a locking mechanism configured to secure the reel against rotation in at least the cable loosening direction when the locking mechanism is in a locked position, and to permit the reel to rotate in the cable loosening direction when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a cable locking device100including a housing110, a reel120partially disposed in the housing, and a cable130having a first end portion132fixed to the reel and a second end portion134extending outward through a cable passage115(FIGS. 1A, 2A) in the housing. The reel120is rotatable in a cable tightening direction to retract at least a portion of the second end portion of the cable into the housing, through the cable passage115and onto the reel120, and in a cable loosening direction to withdraw at least a portion of the second end portion of the cable from the housing110, through the cable passage. As shown, an outer portion121of the reel120may be exposed (e.g., through an opening111in the housing110) and may include one or more user graspable features (e.g., ribs, pockets, etc.) to facilitate user rotation of the reel. The housing110may be formed from two housing halves110a,110bsecured together, for example, by welding, adhesive, fasteners, or any other suitable arrangement.

According to an aspect of the present application, the cable locking device includes at least one cable securing feature or cable securing portion that secures the cable against loosening or withdrawal from the housing. As one example, a cable securing portion may include at least one gripping or clamping member that defines a portion of the cable passage and grips or clamps against the portion of the cable in the cable passage to prevent movement of the cable within the cable passage in at least an outward or loosening direction. While many different types of clamping members may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, a clamping portion or clamping arrangement140(FIG. 3) includes first and second clamp jaws141,142that are spring-biased (by spring143) into a clamping position for clamping engagement with the cable130. When a tensile or pulling force is applied to the external or withdrawn portion of the cable, the clamp jaws141,142are pulled, by the engaged portion of the cable, into tighter gripping engagement with the cable. In the illustrated embodiment, when the reel120is rotated in the cable tightening direction, the clamp jaws141,142are pulled, by the engaged portion of the cable, against the biasing spring143and into a releasing position, to allow retraction of the cable through the cable passage115and onto the reel. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp jaws141,142include protrusions146that slideable in angled tracks113in the housing (FIG. 3) between the clamping and releasing positions, such that an axial force in the tightening direction slides the clamp jaws141,142laterally outward for release of the cable, and an axial force in the loosening direction slides the clamp jaws laterally inward for clamping engagement with the cable.

To allow for loosening or withdrawal of an additional portion of the cable from the housing, a locking mechanism may be provided that, when moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, causes or permits movement of the clamping portion from the clamping position to the releasing position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism150(FIG. 3) includes a locking cam151having an actuating portion152. Movement of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position causes the actuating portion152to engage actuated portions144of the clamp jaws141,142and move the clamp jaws against the biasing spring143and into the releasing position. While many different types of locking mechanism interfaces may be utilized (e.g., key cylinder, combination dial mechanism, etc.), in the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a user manipulable lockout member or lockout plate155that is pivotably connected with the housing110(e.g., by a retaining ring159,FIG. 3) and is connected with the locking cam151(e.g., by a keyed projection156,FIG. 3, and recess158,FIG. 1A) for rotation of the locking cam when the lockout member155is pivoted with respect to the housing. When the locking mechanism150is in the locked position (FIGS. 1 and 1A), the lockout member155is oriented in a first position to hold the locking cam151in a position in which the actuating portion152is disengaged from the jaws141,142. When the locking mechanism150is in the unlocked position (FIGS. 2 and 2A), the lockout member155is oriented in a second position to hold the locking cam151in a position in which the actuating portion152is engaged with the actuated portions144of the clamp jaws141,142to force the jaws into the releasing position. As shown inFIG. 3, the housing110and/or the lockout member155may be provided with a detent feature116that provides for snap-fit retention of the lockout member155in a selected one of the first and second positions.

To secure the locking mechanism in the locked position, at least one of the lockout member and the housing may be provided with at least one lock aperture through which a locking member (e.g., a padlock shackle) may be secured to block or prevent movement of the lockout member from the first (or lockout) position to the second (or released) position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lockout member155includes a plurality of lock apertures157that align with a corresponding plurality of apertures117in the housing110when the lockout member is in the first position. When one or more locking members are inserted through one or more of the aligned sets of apertures117,157, movement of the lockout member from the first position to the second position, and corresponding movement of the locking cam actuating portion152into engagement with the jaws141,142, are prevented.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring loaded jaw arrangement and locking cam disengagement from the jaws in the locked position allow for cinching or tightening of the cable when the locking mechanism is in the locked position. In other embodiments (not shown), the locking mechanism may additionally or alternatively provide for a condition in which the locking mechanism (e.g., using the locking cam) secures the clamping portion in clamping engagement with the cable, such that the cable may not be tightened or cinched in such a condition. This condition may coincide with the locked position of the locking mechanism, or may be provided as a third selectable position of the locking mechanism.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present application, a cable securing portion of a cable locking device may additionally (i.e., in addition to the clamping portion described above) or alternatively (i.e., instead of the clamping portion described above) include a reel securing portion for securing the internal cable reel against rotation in at least a cable loosening or cable withdrawing direction, to prevent movement of the cable within the cable passage in at least an outward or loosening direction. While many different types of reel securing portions may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, a reel securing portion or reel securing arrangement160(FIG. 3) includes a latching lever or other such latching member161that is biased (e.g., by spring163) into a reel interlock position for engagement with an aligned one of a corresponding plurality of latch portions164(e.g., teeth) around a periphery of the reel120. Interlocking engagement of the latching member161with the latch portion164prevents rotation of the reel in the cable loosening direction.

To allow for loosening or withdrawal of an additional portion of the cable from the housing, a locking mechanism may be provided that, when moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, causes or permits movement of the reel securing portion from the reel interlock position to a reel release position, for free rotation of the reel. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching member161includes an actuated portion162that is engaged when the locking mechanism150is moved to an unlocked position, for movement (e.g., pivoting movement, as shown) of an interlock portion165of the latching member out of engagement with the reel latch portions164. While the actuated portion162of the latching member161may be engaged by any suitable portion of the locking mechanism (e.g., by the locking cam or by some other component), in the illustrated embodiment, the actuated portion extends adjacent to one of the clamp jaws142for engagement with the clamp jaw142. When the locking cam151is rotated to engage the actuating portion152with the clamp jaws141,142(e.g., when a lockout member of the locking mechanism is pivoted to the second position), clamp jaw142engages the actuated portion162of the latching member161to pivot the latching member161against biasing spring163to the reel release position for disengagement of the interlock portion165from the reel latch portions164. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, movement of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position, as shown inFIG. 2A, effects both movement of the clamp jaws141,142to the release position and movement of the latching member161to the reel release position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reel latch portion teeth164are contoured to permit rotation of the reel in the cable tightening direction, by engagement of angled camming surfaces of the teeth164with the interlock portion165of the latching member161to move the latching member against biasing spring163to the reel release position. In other embodiments (not shown), the locking mechanism may additionally or alternatively provide for a condition in which the locking mechanism secures the clamping portion in clamping engagement with the cable, such that the cable may not be tightened or cinched in such a condition. For example, the reel latch portions may include portions that are contoured (e.g., stepped instead of tapered) or otherwise configured to prevent movement of the latching member out of the interlock position in response to applied rotational forces to the reel in the cable loosening direction. This condition may coincide with the locked position of the locking mechanism, or may be provided as a third selectable position of the locking mechanism.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present application, a cable locking mechanism may include a cable having an exterior second end portion that terminates at a cable end connector that is insertable into a cable connection port in the housing for attachment of the second end portion of the cable to the housing of the locking device. In one such embodiment, the locking mechanism of the cable locking device may be additionally configured to secure the cable end connector within the cable connection port when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and to permit removal of the cable end connector from the cable connection port when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second end portion134of the cable130terminates at a cable end connector135that is insertable into a cable connection port118in the housing110. The cable end connector135is secured in the cable connection port118by a cable end securing portion or cable end securing arrangement170(FIG. 3) of the locking mechanism140. While any suitable cable end securing arrangement may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, the cable end securing portion includes a cable end latch171that extends into the cable connection port118to engage a notched portion139of the cable end connector135when the cable end latch171is in a cable end securing position, and that disengages from the notched portion139when the cable end latch is in a cable end releasing position.

To allow for selective secure retention of a cable end connector within a cable connection portion in a locking device housing, a locking mechanism may be provided that, when moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, causes or permits movement of the cable end latch from the cable end securing position to the cable end releasing position, for detachment of the cable second end portion from the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable end latch171includes an actuated portion172that is engaged when the locking mechanism150is in a locked position, thereby holding the cable end latch171in locking engagement with the notched portion139of the inserted cable end connector135. When the locking mechanism is moved to an unlocked position, the actuated portion172is disengaged to permit movement of the cable end latch171to the cable end releasing position. While the actuated portion172of the cable end latch171may be engaged by any suitable portion of the locking mechanism (e.g., by the locking cam or by some other component), in the illustrated embodiment, the actuated portion172extends adjacent to the locking cam151, such that when the locking cam151is rotated to engage the actuating portion152with the clamp jaws141,142(e.g., when a lockout member of the locking mechanism is pivoted to the second position), the actuating portion152disengages from the cable end latch actuated portion172to permit disengagement of the cable end latch171from the notched portion139of the inserted cable end connector135. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, movement of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position, as shown inFIG. 2A, simultaneously effects movement of the clamp jaws141,142to the release position, movement of the latching member161to the reel release position, and permits disengagement of the cable end latch171from the cable end connector135.

While the cable end latch may be configured to automatically disengage from the cable end connector when the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked position, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking device100is provided with a release button178that is depressible to slide the cable end latch171out of engagement with the cable end connector135when the locking mechanism150is in the unlocked position, with the locking cam151disengaged from the cable end latch171. The cable end latch may be spring biased (e.g., by spring173) toward the cable end securing position, to maintain attachment of the cable second end with the housing110until the cable end is selectively released by depressing the release button178.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reel latch portion teeth164are contoured to permit rotation of the reel in the cable tightening direction, by engagement of angled camming surfaces of the teeth164with the interlock portion165of the latching member161to move the latching member against biasing spring163to the reel release position. In other embodiments (not shown), the locking mechanism may additionally or alternatively provide for a condition in which the locking mechanism secures the clamping portion in clamping engagement with the cable, such that the cable may not be tightened or cinched in such a condition. For example, the reel latch portions may include portions that are contoured (e.g., stepped instead of tapered) or otherwise configured to prevent movement of the latching member out of the interlock position in response to applied rotational forces to the reel in the cable loosening direction. This condition may coincide with the locked position of the locking mechanism, or may be provided as a third selectable position of the locking mechanism.

FIGS. 4-10illustrate additional views of an exemplary cable locking device.