Abstract:
A retractable wire lock includes cables or steel wires of different lengths to serve as connection members to couple with a first guarding member and a second guarding member, and a winding reel pivotally located in a casing to couple with and wind the connection members. The winding reel can adjust the length of the connection members according to actual requirements or fully wind the connection members for storing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a retractable wire lock that uses a wire or cable as a connection member to extend the effective locking distance of a lock and particularly to a wire lock capable of adjusting the length of the connection member.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Notebook computers are very popular these days. Their portability provides a great benefit and convenience to users. While the notebook computer is easy to carry, it also is easy to be stolen. This happens frequently when it is undergoing charge processing or data transmission unattended. Hence a theft-deterrent device is needed to reduce the risk of pilferage.  
         [0003]     One of the examples is U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,413, which provides a security lock for portable articles. It may be inserted into a preset locking port of a notebook computer and fastened to an anchor object (such as a post, desk leg, or the like) through a cable of a fixed length to guard against theft.  
         [0004]     However, when the notebook computer is in use, the distance between the notebook computer and the anchor object could vary, such as to show a displayed information file on the screen to other people, or to display the notebook computer in the shop for consumer operation and inspection. The fixed length cable makes moving and use difficult.  
         [0005]     Moreover, the cable requires a lot of caring during storing to prevent tangling or messy bundling that could result in difficulties.  
         [0006]     Hence although the technique mentioned above can prevent pilferage, the design of the fixed length cable limits its usability and convenience.  
         [0007]     Another instance is U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,517, which discloses a wire lock having a self-retractable wire. It includes a combination lock, a wire rope and a reel. The wire rope may be wound in the reel or pulled out from the reel. The wire rope is fastened to the combination lock to form a latch range to couple on an object for locking. The reel can alter the length of the wire rope, being pulled out to change the latch range according to different objects.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In view of the aforesaid problems and disadvantages, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a wire lock to link a guarded object and an anchor object at a desired distance through a connection member, and retract and wind the connection member on a winding reel when the link is disengaged, and house a guarding member in a wire lock to shrink the total size to facilitate carrying and storing.  
         [0009]     In order to achieve the foregoing object, the present invention provides a retractable wire lock that connects a guarded object to an anchor object at a desired distance. It includes a casing, a first guarding member fastened to the guarded object, a winding reel pivotally housed in the casing and a second guarding member fastened to the anchor object. The guarding members are connected to the winding reel through a connection member. When the connection between the guarding members and the anchor object and the guarded object is released, the connection member may be retracted and wound on the winding reel and the guarding members may be housed in the casing.  
         [0010]     The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the invention in a use-condition.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic view of the first guarding member of the invention in a use-condition.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A-1  is a schematic view of the first guarding member of the invention in another use-condition.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A-2  is a schematic view of the first guarding member of the invention in yet another use-condition.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic view of a second guarding member of the invention in a use-condition.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4B-1  is a schematic view of a second guarding member of the invention in another use-condition.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4B-2  is a schematic view of a second guarding member of the invention in yet another use-condition.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a plane view of the structure of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5B  is another plane view of the structure of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic view of the winding reel and control key of the invention in an operating condition.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic view of the winding reel and control key of the invention in another operating condition.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a plane view of the structure of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  is another plane view of the structure of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of the structure of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a plane view of the structure of the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of the structure of the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9B  is a plane view of the structure of the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the winding reel of the invention in a use-condition. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]     The present invention aims to provide a wire lock  1  to fasten a guarded object  2 , such as a notebook computer, to an anchor object  3 , such as a desk leg, at a desired distance as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the invention includes a casing  11 , a first guarding member  12 , a winding reel  13 , a connection member  14  and a second guarding member  15 . The first guarding member  12  is fastened to the casing  11  and movable relative to the casing  11  to a use-position, and can be fastened to the guarded object  2 . The winding reel  13  is pivotally coupled in the casing  11  and turnable about the pivot center. The winding reel  13  has a port  131  to allow the connection member  14  to pass through. The port  131  has a plurality of latch walls  1311 . The connection member  14  has one end passing through the port  131  to couple with a latch sleeve  141  which may be anchored on the latch walls  1311  to enable the connection member  14  to be wound on the winding reel  13  (referring to  FIG. 5A ). The connection member  14  has the other end fastened to the second guarding member  15 , which is fastened to the anchor object  3 .  
         [0033]     Referring to FIGS.  4 A through  4 B- 2 , the first guarding member  12  and the second guarding member  15  may be locks  121  and  151 , such as tubular locks, padlocks or the like to provide a locking function, or wire loops  122  and  152 . However, in practice, the first guarding member  12  and the second guarding member  15  include at least one lock  121  or  151 . The combination may be a lock  121  or  151  to couple with a wire loop  122  or  152 , or a lock  121  or  151  to couple with another lock  121 ′ or  151 ′ to suit a wide range of user requirements.  
         [0034]     Also referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the first guarding member  12  has one side connecting to a connection member  123 . The casing  11  has a housing compartment  112  and a passage  113  formed therein. The connection member  123  is housed in the passage  113  and has the other end coupled with a latch sleeve  1231 . The housing compartment  112  houses the first guarding member  12  movably at a storing position (as shown in  FIG. 5A ). There is an elastic element  16  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) located between the winding reel  13  and the casing  11 . The elastic element  16  may be a spiral spring which has one end fastened to the casing  11  and the other end fastened to the winding reel  13 . The elastic element  16  has an elastic restoring force to automatically drive and wind the connection member  14  fastened to the second guarding member  15  on the winding reel  13  and move the second guarding member  15  close to the casing  11  at a wound position (as shown in  FIG. 5A ). When in use, pull the first guarding member  12  away from the housing compartment  112 , the connection member  123  is confined in the passage  113  because of the latch sleeve  1231  and the first guarding member  12  escapes from the housing compartment  112  to reach a use-position (referring to  FIG. 5B ). The winding reel  13  has a plurality of latch bosses  132  on the periphery. The casing  11  has a movable control key  17 , which has a latch arm  171  extended from one side. Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the latch arm  171  has a first latch side  1711  on a distal end. Each of the latch bosses  132  has a second latch side  1321  corresponding to the first latch side  1711 . There is an elastic element  18  located between the control key  17  and the casing  11  to provide an elastic force to keep the latch arm  171  wedged between two neighboring bosses  132  in a normal condition (as shown in  FIG. 6A ). When the control key  17  is pressed, the latch arm  171  is moved away from the wedged position of the latch bossed  132  (as shown in  FIG. 6B ). Hence the second guarding member  15  may be pulled out by force. Once the second guarding member  15  is pulled out at a desired distance, the control key  17  may be released to allow the latch arm  171  to be wedged between the latch bosses  132  again to form an anchor condition (referring to  FIG. 5B ).  
         [0035]     Refer to  FIGS. 7A and 7B  for a first embodiment of the invention. The casing  11  has a housing compartment  112 . The first guarding member  12  has an aperture  124  to couple with a pivot element  4  to enable the first guarding member  12 , to be held in the housing compartment  112  at a storing position. When in use, the first guarding member  12  may be moved outwards from the casing  11  to fasten to the guarded object  2 , or the first guarding member  12  may be turned about the pivot element  4  to be moved outside the housing compartment  112  to fasten to the guarded object  2 . The second guarding member  15  may be pulled out by unwinding the second connection member  14  from the winding reel  13  to fasten to the anchor object  3  at a desired distance to provide a guarding effect.  
         [0036]     Refer to  FIGS. 8A and 8B  for a second embodiment of the invention. It has a shared winding reel  13 . This embodiment includes a casing  11 , a first guarding member  12 , a first connection member  14 A, a winding reel  13 , a second connection member  14 B and a second guarding member  15 . The winding reel  13  is pivotally coupled in the casing  11  and may be rotated therein.  
         [0037]     The first guarding member  12  is fastened to the guarded object  2  and is coupled with the first connection member  14 A which has the other end fastened to and wound on the winding reel  13 .  
         [0038]     The second guarding object  15  is fastened to the anchor object  3  and also is coupled to the second connection member  14 B which has the other end fastened to and wound on the winding reel  13 .  
         [0039]     There is an elastic element  16  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) located between the winding reel  13  and the casing  11 . The elastic element  16  may be a spiral spring which has one end fastened to the casing  11  and the other end fastened to the winding reel  13 . The elastic element  16  has an elastic restoring force to automatically drive and wind the first connection member  14 A and the second connection member  14 B on the winding reel  13 . The winding reel  13  has a plurality of latch bosses  132  on the periphery. The casing  11  has a movable control key  17 , which has a latch arm  171  extended from one side. The latch arm  171  may be movably wedged between two neighboring bosses  132  of the winding reel  13  to enable the first guarding member  12  and the second guarding member  15  to be pulled out or retracted to form an anchor condition.  
         [0040]     The casing  11  also has a housing compartment  112  and a passage  113 . The first connection member  14 A runs through the passage  113  to be wound on the winding reel  13 . The first guarding member  12  may be held in the housing compartment  112  at a storing position. The second guarding member  15  may be moved close to the casing  11  at a wound position (as shown in  FIG. 8B ). When in use, selectively pull the first guarding member  12  or the second guarding member  15  outside the casing  11 , the first guarding member  12  or the second guarding member  15  will be moved outside the casing  11  simultaneously. The first guarding member  12  may be extended to fasten to the guarded object  2 , while the second guarding member  15  may be fastened to the anchor object  3  to enable the guarded object  2  to be linked to the anchor object  3  at a desired distance to achieve a guarding effect.  
         [0041]     Refer to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  for the third embodiment of the invention. It adopts separated winding reels. This embodiment includes a casing  11 , a first guarding member  12 , a winding reel  13 A, a first connection member  14 A, a second guarding member  15 , a second winding reel  13 B, and a second connection member  14 B. The first winding reel  13 A and the second winding reel  13 B are pivotally mounted on the casing  11 , and are stacked in a coaxial manner or located on different axles, and are turnable therein.  
         [0042]     The first guarding member  12  is fastened to one end of the first connection member  14 A, which has the other end fastened to and wound on the first winding reel  13 A.  
         [0043]     The second guarding object  15  is fastened to one end of the second connection member  14 B which has the other end fastened to and wound on the second winding reel  13 B.  
         [0044]     There is an elastic element  16  located respectively between the first winding reel  13 A and the casing  11 , and between the second winding reel  13 B and the casing  11 . The elastic element  16  has an elastic restoring force to drive the first winding reel  13 A and the second winding reel  13 B to wind respectively the first connection member  14 A and the second connection member  14 B on the first winding reel  13 A and the second winding reel  13 B. The first winding reel  13 A and the second winding reel  13 B have respectively a plurality of latch bosses  132 A and  132 B on the periphery. The casing  11  has two movable control keys  17 A and  17 B which have respectively a latch arm  171 A and  171 B extended from one side. The latch arms  171 A and  171 B may be movably wedged between two neighboring bosses  132 A and  132 B of the first winding reel  13 A and the second winding reel  13 B to enable the first guarding member  12  and the second guarding member  15  to be pulled out or retracted to form an anchor condition. The casing  11  also has a housing compartment  112  and a passage  113 . The first connection member  14 A is held in the passage  113 . The first guarding member  12  is movably held in the housing compartment  112  at a storing position. The second guarding member  15  may be retracted close to the casing  11  at a wound position (referring to  FIG. 9B ). When in use, selectively pull the first guarding member  12  or the second guarding member  15  outside the casing  11 . The first guarding member  12  may be extended to fasten to the guarded object  2 , while the second guarding member  15  may be fastened to the anchor object  3  to enable the guarded object  2  to be linked to the anchor object  3  at a desired distance to achieve a guarding effect.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in practice, the winding reel  13  may have a grip section  133  on the surface, and the casing  11  has a carved trough  111  on the surface corresponding to the winding reel  13  to expose the grip section  133  to enable users to turn the winding reel  13  manually to wind the connection member.  
         [0046]     The embodiments set forth above serve only for illustrative purpose, and are not the limitation of the present invention. The connection members  123  and  14 , and the first connection member  14 A and the second connection member  14 B are flexible wires. Modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.