Patent GB-1137138-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in luggage fittings
Inventor: CONSTABLE ERIC FREDERICK
IPC: E05B65/52
Filed: 1965-09-09
Abstract: 1,137,138. Locks. C. W. CHENEY & SON Ltd. 28 July, 1966 [9 Sept., 1965], No. 38524/65. Heading E2A. A locking fitting for luggage, for example, suitcases, briefcases, trunks and typewriter cases, comprises a first part having a front cover plate 11 and a back plate 15 secured to the cover plate and a locking plate 17 trapped therebetween, the locking plate being movable to a position in which a separate part 30 of the fitting which has previously been engaged with the first part is locked to the first part, the locking plate comprising a substantially annular flange 21 sandwiched between the front and back plates to journal the locking plate, a central axial key-receiving projection 24 having a channel for the key, a radial locking extension 29 from the axial projection and a slot formed in the periphery of the plate across the substantially annular flange in alignment with the channel. In the construction shown, the front and back plates together constitute a hasp hingedly attached to an attachment plate 10 by means of a pin 13, a spring being provided to urge the front plate' into overlapping and parallel relation with the attachment plate; the back plate 15 is secured to the front plate by inturned lugs on a skirt 33 of the front plate and the front plate also journals a key selector plate 12. The back plate has a shallow recess 18, the central area of which is removed to provide the aperture 19 and the recess 18 receives the flange 21 of the locking plate. The perimeter wall of the recess journals the flange 21; the central area 20 of the locking plate is domed and projects through the recess 19, the surface of the dome engaging the edge of the aperture 19. In use a key can be passed through the selector plate 12 to engage within the locking plate between the limbs of the axial projection so that angular movement about the axis of the key turns the locking plate as a whole. The part 30 of the luggage fitting, in the locking position of the fitting, is received and accommodated within the hasp front plate, a projection 31 entering a recess in the attachment plate 10; the axial projection of the locking plate enters a hole 36 in the part 30 the locking plate being eccentrically located with respect to the hole so that as the locking plate is moved to locking position the extension 29 engages the undersurface of the part 30 through the hole 36. Movement of the locking plate is limited by providing it with a tab 40 which projects radially from the flange 21 and which seats in complementary recesses 42 and 43 of the blank plate 15 in the locking and unlocking positions respectively. The locking plate is made as a pressing from sheet metal and the slot in the periphery in alignment with the channel and extending to the projection enables this to be done. The portion 50 of the back plate diametrically opposite the slot resists separating of the limbs of the axial projection if an attempt is made to turn the locking plate beyond its extreme positions in either direction. In an alternative construction one part of the luggage fitting is engageable through a loop of the other luggage fitting, the first part having a pivoted latch member which in a raised position engages the loop to prevent disengagement of the two parts. The front and back plates referred to above are parts of the latch member and the locking plate projects through an aperture in the back plate as described above and is sandwiched between the two plates. In the locking position the locking member prevents the latch member being depressed to a releasing position. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1077264.