Master padlocks, chain locks or other locks

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Mar 21, 2015 · , sent to the company Apr 24, 2015 · , published by CPSC May 8, 2015

   The product, in the report: Adjustable locking cable.

   This device is a 5/16” cable with a keyed locking mechanism in the shape of a python head in camouflage colors. The locking mechanism can be moved up and down the cable and locked in almost any position.

   Attached to the cable is a warning label with the following language:

   “WARNING: Risk of bodily injury or suffocation from tightened cable. Use only as directed for securing and locking property. This is no (sic) a toy. Keep away from small children”.

   There is no warning about hazards for children on the printed cardboard backer to which the device is attached when it is sold. Most people would assume that the locking mechanism can’t be moved when it is locked and assess the danger the device poses on that basis. However, there is an even greater danger which is not readily apparent because the locking mechanism when locked does not stay in place—it can still be moved to further constrict the cable loop. In other words, the locking mechanism when locked will not slide up the cable (i.e., the cable loop cannot be expanded) but can still be slid down the cable (i.e, the cable loop can be constricted). The locked mechanism will slide downward whether or not the key is in the lock. There is no apparent functional reason for designing the locking mechanism to slide downward after it is locked as it can be slid to whatever position is desired when it is unlocked and then locked in position.

   Here is a hypothetical to illustrate the danger which the device poses: A consumer might think he is protecting children when storing the device by locking the locking mechanism and removing the key. He pays no attention to the position of the locking mechanism on the cable or how big the resulting cable loop is. His ten year old son finds the device and decides it would be fun to scare his 8 year old brother with it. He sees that the locking mechanism moves downward and assumes it is unlocked. The loop is big enough to put over his brother’s head and around his neck and he does so. He slides the locking mechanism down the cable until his brother is choking, assuming he can pull it back after he has scared his brother. He discovers too late that he can’t pull it back. If someone does not quickly intervene with the proper key or bolt cutters, the other child could choke to death. It does not appear to me that the warning supplied by the manufacturer is sufficient to warn of this unexpected hazard.

   The device would be just as functional and far safer if the locking mechanism was designed so it did not move in either direction when locked.

   Do other Python devices in different series have the same issue? It appears that Master Lock sells a number of different Python series devices with different dimensions and colors but with the same general design. I found some at a nearby store and attempted to check them to see if their locking mechanisms also slid in one direction when locked. I first checked a Python device which appeared to be identical to mine (5/16 inch cable) except that the color of the locking mechanism was black and silver rather than camouflage. It also constricted when locked. I suspect that all Python devices in the 5/16 inch cable series constrict when locked. I also attempted to check a device from a different series of Python devices with thicker cables— 3/8 inch cable. The locking mechanism on the 3/8 inch devices appears to be more substantial—unlike the 5/16 inch device locking mechanism, it had three key positions. However, the packaging on the 3/8 inch device was such that I could not check the locking mechanism without destroying the packaging so I did not check it. Perhaps the locking mechanisms in the 3/8 inch series stays in place when locked.

   Model

   8418KADCAMO

   UPC

   0 71649 22368 6

   Serial number

   none

   Bought from

   Mackie Enterprises dba LocksChocksTiedowns

   Bought

   Feb 27, 2015

   Where

   Saint Paul, Minnesota: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 8, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Master Lock, made or sold by MASTER LOCK COMPANY

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. Emergency room

   Made Nov 11, 2014 · , sent to the company Nov 19, 2014 · , published by CPSC Dec 4, 2014

   The product, in the report: Master Lock Locks - 141T •Hardened steel shackle in a vinyl covered solid steel housing •Constructed of corrosion resistant materials •Black cover on lock housing and key •Dimensions: ?1/4” shackle diameter ?Opening between shackle and lock housing: 13/16” wide x 7/8” tall ?lock housing: 1-9/16” wide •Limited lifetime warranty

   I used my keyed padlock to lock my locker. It is a Masterlock that has a plastic cover. Over the last several weeks, the plastic cover has become loose, but the lock still works. Today, when I pushed the lock to lock the locker, the plastic cover slipped off, and I cut my finger on the sharp edge of the padlock. This sharp edge is normally covered by the plastic. Basically the injury sheered off 1 mm of skin on my index finger. The injury was about 0.5 cm in diameter, but I had to go to the ER to get the bleeding stopped.

   Not sure model # but looks like Master Lock Locks - 141T: •Hardened steel shackle in a vinyl covered solid steel housing •Black cover on lock housing and key •Dimensions: ?1/4” shackle diameter ?Opening between shackle and lock housing: 13/16” wide x 7/8” tall ?lock housing: 1-9/16” wide •Limited lifetime warranty

   Model

   141T

   Bought from

   Target, Michigan

   Where

   Midland, Michigan: Place of Recreation or Sports

   Who was involved

   Age 57, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Master, made or sold by MASTER LOCK COMPANY

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources