Looking for info on a Multifunction Lock made before May 200

[karris]

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and hoping that someone on this site can find a lock that was either made or published prior to May 2003. It is a multiple function lock with a shackle that has a toe and a heel (rotates within the body) and has two locking and unlocking mechanisms. A description and a picture can be seen at: http://www.ArticleOnePartners.com/study/index/1322&r=
If anyone has information on a lock like you can see in the attached file that was around prior to May 2003, you can also submit it to that site and possibly win a couple thousand dollars.

[squelchtone]

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and hoping that someone on this site can find a lock that was either made or published prior to May 2003. It is a multiple function lock with a shackle that has a toe and a heel (rotates within the body) and has two locking and unlocking mechanisms. A description and a picture can be seen at: http://www.ArticleOnePartners.com/study/index/1322&r=
If anyone has information on a lock like you can see in the attached file that was around prior to May 2003, you can also submit it to that site and possibly win a couple thousand dollars.

Why don't you ask John Loughlin from Stanton Concepts for the info, he's a member of this forum

Are you looking for a real lock or a photo of it or patent drawings? What is this for?

Look here: http://www.stantonconcepts.us/images/US ... %20MFL.pdf

do I win?

Thanks
Squelchtone

[karris]

Actually, that is really good - except that the patent is just a little later than the latest date for prior art - in other words, we are looking for a published picture, an advertisement which can be dated, etc. which was public before May 2003. if you can get something before May 2003, upload it to the site!

[MacGyver101]

Are you looking for a real lock or a photo of it or patent drawings? What is this for?

Some competitor of John's is (apparently) looking to invalidate his patent by establishing prior art (i.e., that the idea behind the patent was previously in use in some other product). There are a few websites like this one: basically, people post bounties ($5000 in this case), and try to "crowdsource" their patent investigations. In this case, if you can provide prior art that would potentially invalidate John's patent you might share in some of the $5k "reward".

"karris" works for Article One (she's their Director of Research). Given that John's patent doesn't have anything to do with the original topic of this thread -- and that it seems that karris seems to just be asking people to come visit his company's website -- this all seems a little spammish to me.

Just my $0.02.

[squelchtone]

Agreed. splitting topic to new topic.

Mac come to IRC for some hot lock chat

Squelchtone