Patent ID: 6889460

Claim:
A method for releasing an item from a locking device, the method comprising: (a) providing a tactile releasing lock engaging the item, the tactile releasing lock including a plurality of tactile engagement surfaces, the tactile releasing lock including a housing, a securing element, and a plurality of rods located within the housing, the securing element engaging the housing, the item being held between the securing element and the housing, each rod engaging the securing element, and each rod including one of the tactile engagement surfaces; (b) without visual confirmation, manipulating the tactile engagement surfaces of the tactile releasing lock in multiple planar directions to free the item (c) manipulating, without visual confirmation, the tactile engagement surface located on each rod in one of four distinct directions to disengage said rods from the securing element; (d) disengaging the securing element from the housing; and (e) disengaging the item from the securing element and the housing.