Patent Publication Number: US-2023146625-A1

Title: Cabinet Lock Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/277,195 which was filed on Nov. 9, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of cabinet locks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cabinet lock device primarily comprised of a pendulum housing, a latch housing, a catch housing release, and a door plate catch housing that can be attached to a rear door surface of a cabinet door. The door plate further receives the latch housing release. The pendulum and latch housing is further comprised of a latch and a pendulum wherein the pendulum activates a series of internal mechanisms within the pendulum and latch housing when movement of the cabinet is detected, which ultimately releases the latch into the catch housing release such that the cabinet door automatically locks. The catch housing release is further comprised of a release lever that can be used to unlock the cabinet from the outside after the device has been locked. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During an earthquake, shut cabinet doors can be opened by the force of the earthquake. This may further lead to objects and items falling out of the cabinet. This may not only cause a disoganized mess that must be cleaned, a loss of property, and may also result in injury to nearby individuals who are struck by items or objects that fall out of cabinets. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved cabinet lock. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a cabinet lock device that ensures a cabinet remains locked during an earthquake. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cabinet lock device that ensures a cabinet remains locked during an earthquake or other natural disaster, wherein the device can be applied to any cabinet known in the art. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cabinet lock device. The device is primarily comprised of a pendulum and latch housing, a latch housing release, and a door plate catch. The door plate catch can be attached to a rear door surface of a cabinet door. The door plate catch further receives the latch housing. The pendulum and latch housing is further comprised of a latch and a pendulum. When movement of the cabinet is detected, the pendulum activates a series of internal mechanisms within the pendulum and latch housing that ultimately releases the latch into the door plate catch housing release such that the cabinet door automatically locks. The door plate catch housing release is further comprised of a release lever that can be used to unlock the cabinet from the outside after the device has been locked. 
     In this manner, the cabinet lock device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an improved cabinet lock. The device ensures a cabinet remains locked during an earthquake or other natural disaster. In addition, the device can be applied to any cabinet known in the art. Further, the cabinet remains unlocked to allow for ease of access when used daily, 24/7. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cabinet lock device. The device is primarily comprised of a pendulum housing, a latch housing release, and a door plate catch housing. The door plate can be secured to a rear door surface of a cabinet door via at least one fastener. The front surface of the door plate is further comprised of a catch receiving point that receives the latch housing release such that the catch housing release can be removably attached from the latch housing. 
     The body of the door plate catch housing release is comprised of at least one release lever, at least one internal latch catch, and at least one latch releasing member. The release lever is generally L-shaped such that it can contact the side surface of a cabinet door. The door plate catch housing release is further received by latch receiving point of the door plate. The release can be positioned left or right to suite the opening of the door. 
     The pendulum housing can be secured via at least one fastener to a top surface of a cabinet, wherein the pendulum housing and the latch housing houses a plurality of components including at least one internal anchor, at least one pendulum, at least one test button, at least one plunger, and at least one secondary magnetic lock. The housing further has at least one latch with at least one receiving point, as well as at least one spring. 
     Once secured to the top surface and door surface of a cabinet, the device automatically locks when an earthquake or other vibration event is detected. In this manner, the contents of a cabinet remain secured within the cabinet. Once locked, the device remains locked until a user activates the release lever. 
     To use the device, the inner components of pendulum housing and the latch housing can be armed and placed in an unlocked position wherein the internal anchor engages the receiving point of the latch to place the spring attached to the latch in tension. Any movement of the cabinet (i.e., due to vibrations from an earthquake) then causes the pendulum to swing, such that the plunger above the pendulum is pushed upwards and the spring tension on the internal anchor is released. The internal anchor then releases the latch which causes the latch to move forward and downward (i.e., away from the pendulum and latch housing) such that the latch engages the internal latch catch of the door plate catch housing. In this manner, the cabinet door remains closed and locked as the latch prevents the cabinet door from opening while within the door plate catch housing release (which is attached to the cabinet door via the door plate). This locking process occurs automatically and without the need for user intervention. 
     Accordingly, the cabinet lock device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved cabinet unlocked for ease of access and locks during an earthquake. In addition, the device can be applied to any cabinet known in the art. In this manner, the cabinet lock device overcomes the limitations of existing cabinet locks known in the art. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device of the present invention in a locked position in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device and a cross-sectional view of the pendulum and latch housing of the present invention in an unlocked and armed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device and a cross-sectional view of the pendulum and latch housing of the present invention in a locked position in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device in a locked position in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device of the present invention in a locked position within a cabinet in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device of the present invention in an unlocked and armed position within a cabinet in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved cabinet lock. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a cabinet lock device that ensures a cabinet remains locked during an earthquake or other natural disaster. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cabinet lock device that ensures a cabinet remains locked during an earthquake, wherein the device can be applied to any cabinet known in the art. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a cabinet lock device primarily comprised of a pendulum housing, a latch housing, a catch housing release, and a door plate. The door plate can be secured to a rear door surface of a cabinet door via at least one fastener. The front surface of the door plate catch housing is further comprised of a latch receiving point that receives the latch housing release such that the catch housing release can be removably attached to the door plate. 
     The body of the door plate catch housing release is comprised of at least one release lever, at least one internal latch catch, and at least one latch releasing member. The release lever is generally L-shaped such that it can contact the side surface of a cabinet door in a left or right position. The catch housing release is further received by the latch receiving point of the door plate catch housing. 
     The pendulum housing can be secured via at least one fastener to a top surface of a cabinet, wherein the pendulum housing and the latch housing houses a plurality of components including at least one internal anchor, at least one pendulum, at least one tester, at least one plunger, and at least one secondary magnetic lock. The pendulum and latch housing further has at least one latch with at least one receiving point, as well as at least one spring. 
     Once secured to the top surface and door surface of a cabinet, the device automatically locks when an earthquake or other vibration event is detected. As a result, the contents of a cabinet remain secured within the cabinet. Once locked, the device remains locked until a user activates the release lever. 
     To use the device, the inner components of the latch housing can be armed and placed in an unlocked position wherein the internal anchor engages the receiving point of the latch to place the spring attached to the latch in tension. Any movement of the cabinet (i.e., due to vibrations from an earthquake) then causes the pendulum to swing such that the plunger above the pendulum is pushed upwards such that the spring tension on the internal anchor is released. The internal anchor then releases the latch which causes the latch to move forward and downward (i.e., away from the pendulum and latch housing) such that the latch engages the internal latch catch of the catch housing release. In this manner, the cabinet door remains closed and locked as the latch prevents the cabinet door from opening while within the catch housing release (which is attached to the cabinet door via the door plate). This locking process occurs automatically and without the need for user intervention. 
     Accordingly, the cabinet lock device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved cabinet lock that remains locked during an earthquake. In addition, the device can be applied to any cabinet known in the art. In this manner, the cabinet lock device overcomes the limitations of existing cabinet locks known in the art. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a cabinet lock device  100  of the present invention in a locked position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is primarily comprised of a pendulum housing  110 , a latch housing  109 , a catch housing release  130 , and a door plate  140 . In the preferred embodiment, all components of the device  100  are manufactured from a rigid or semi-flexible plastic such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. or a durable metal such as aluminum. 
     The door plate  140  can be secured to a rear door surface  12  of a cabinet door  10  via at least one latch fastener  150  such as but not limited to screw, nail, adhesive, etc., that may be located on the rear door surface  142  of the door plate  140 . The front surface of the door plate  140  is comprised of a secondary magnetic lock receiving point  146  that receives the catch housing release  130  such that the catch housing release  130  can be attached to the door plate  140 . The door plate  140  is also comprised of a secondary magnetic lock receiving point  146  that receives a secondary magnetic lock  119  of the latch housing  109 . 
     The body  132  of the catch housing release  130  is comprised of at least one release lever  134  in the Left or Right position to suite the opening of the Door  10 , at least one internal latch catch  136  (as seen in  FIG.  4   ), and at least one latch releasing member  138 . The release lever  134  is preferably generally L-shaped such that it can contact the side surface  14  of a cabinet door  10  (as seen in  FIG.  6   ). The catch housing release  130  is further received by the catch receiving point  146  of the door plate  140 . The release lever  134  is comprised of a left side  134 L or a right side  134 R to suite the door opening. 
     The pendulum and latch housing  109  &amp;  110  can be secured via at least one latch fastener  150  to a top surface  18  of a cabinet surface  16 . The latch housing  109  and the pendulum housing  110  houses a plurality of components including at least one internal anchor  111  (as seen in  FIG.  2   ), at least one pendulum  114 , at least one tester  116  (as seen in  FIG.  3   ), at least one plunger  118  (as seen in  FIGS.  2  &amp;  3   ), and at least one secondary magnetic lock  119  (on  FIG.  1   ) located on the outside of the pendulum and latch housing  109  &amp;  110  which is received by the secondary magnetic lock receiving point  146  of the door plate  140 . In the preferred embodiment, the secondary magnetic lock  119  is magnetic, but may be any lock type known in the art that can be securely received by the secondary magnetic lock receiving point  146  to provide additional locking power to the device  100 . The latch housing  109  further has at least one latch  120  with at least one receiving point  122 , as well as at least one spring  160 . 
     Once secured to the top surface  18  and rear door surface  12  of a cabinet  16  (as seen in  FIG.  6   ), the device  100  automatically locks when an earthquake or other vibration event is detected. In this manner, the contents of a cabinet remain secured within the cabinet. Once locked, the device  100  remains locked until a user activates the release lever  134  thereby releasing the door  10 . 
     To use the device, the inner components of the pendulum housing  110  and latch housing  109  can be armed and placed in an unlocked position. In an armed position, the internal anchor  111  engages the receiving point  122  of the latch  120  to place the spring  160  attached to the latch  120  in tension, (as seen in  FIG.  2   ). Any movement of the cabinet (i.e., due to vibrations from an earthquake) then causes the pendulum  114  to swing such that the plunger  118  above the pendulum  114  is pushed upwards and the spring  160  tension on the internal anchor  111  is released. This then causes the internal anchor  111  to release the latch  120 . Once the latch  120  is released, it moves forward and downward (i.e., away from the pendulum and latch housing  109  &amp;  110 ) such that the latch  120  engages the internal latch catch  136  of the catch housing release  130 , (as seen in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   ). In this manner, the cabinet door  10  remains closed and locked as the latch  120  prevents the cabinet door  10  from opening while within the catch housing release  130  (which is attached to the cabinet door  10  via the door plate  140 ). This locking process occurs automatically and without the need for user intervention. To reset the latch  120 , a user need only push up vertically (i.e., towards the top surface  112 ) and away from the rear door surface  12  of the cabinet door  10  horizontally such that the internal anchor  111  re-engages the receiving point  122  of the latch  120 , (as seen in  FIG.  6   ). 
     To unlock the cabinet door  10 , a user can slide the release lever  134  along the side surface  14  of the cabinet door  10  from outside the cabinet  16 . This moves the release lever  134  upwards within the catch housing release  130  such that a latch releasing member  138  (as seen in  FIG.  4  &amp;  6   ) is pushed upwards by the movement of the release latch  134  such that the latch  120  disengages the internal latch catch  136  and the cabinet door  10  can be opened. A test button  116  can be used to check the function of the pendulum  114  as needed by moving upwards into the pendulum  114  when pressed (which then releases the latch  120  as noted above). 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “cabinet lock device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the cabinet lock device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the cabinet lock device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the cabinet lock device  100  as shown in the (FIGS). are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the cabinet lock device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the cabinet lock device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the cabinet lock device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprised” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a “claim” as claims”.