Padlock with fully integrated dual locking mechanism with reset mechanism
First Claim
1. A padlock operable in a locked mode and in an opened mode, comprising:
- a shackle having a heel and a toe;
a lock housing configured to store the heel of the shackle, the lock housing comprising a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion, the top portion arranged to engage with the toe, wherein the shackle can be partially released from the lock housing from a first shackle position to a second shackle position;
a spindle disposed inside the lock housing and arranged to provide a code locking mechanism, the code locking mechanism configured to operate the padlock in the locked mode or in the opened mode based on a combination code, the spindle comprising a cylindrical surface;
a plurality of clutches rotatably mounted on the cylindrical surface of the spindle;
a plurality of dials mounted in the middle portion of the lock housing in relationship to the clutches to form the combination code; and
an overriding mechanism disposed in relationship to the spindle, the overriding mechanism activatable to cause the padlock to operate in the opened mode, wherein the shackle is in the first shackle position when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, and the shackle is in the second shackle position when the padlock is operated in the opened mode, wherein each of the clutches comprises an extended outer ring, the extended outer ring having a ring surface facing the top portion of the lock housing, the ring surface having thereon one or more extended fins, and each of the dials has an inner wall defining an inner diameter, each of the dials comprising an extended inner ring extended inward from the inner diameter, the extended inner ring having an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having an upper surface facing the top portion of the housing, the lower part having thereon a plurality of ring gaps arranged to receive said one or more extended fins of a clutch so as to control rotational movement of said clutch relative to the spindle, wherein the bottom portion of the lock housing comprises a bottom body, and wherein the spindle is movably mounted on the bottom body such that the spindle can be caused to move upward toward the top portion of the lock housing in a vertical movement from a first spindle position to a second spindle position, and wherein each of the clutches comprises an extended inner ring having a ring thickness and an opening gap made through the ring thickness, and the spindle comprises a plurality of extended protrusions extended from the cylindrical surface, each extended protrusion associated with a clutch such that the inner ring of the clutch prevents the spindle from moving upward when the extended protrusion is misaligned with the opening gap of the associated clutch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual locking padlock having a code locking mechanism and an overriding mechanism is disclosed. The housing has a top body as its top portion, a stack of dials and a stack of clutches mounted on a middle portion and a bottom portion having holes to receive screws from the top body for securing the housing. Dials are engagingly mounted on the clutches and only rotatable relative to the clutch when the lock is in the opened mode for changing the combination code. The housing has a spindle having a channel to store the heel of a shackle. The spindle'"'"'s upward movement allows the shackle to be pulled upward to unlock the padlock. The spindle is allowed to move upward either when a correct combination code is used or when a key activates the overriding mechanism. With the overriding mechanism, the padlock can also be opened with a key.
81 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A padlock operable in a locked mode and in an opened mode, comprising:
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a shackle having a heel and a toe; a lock housing configured to store the heel of the shackle, the lock housing comprising a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion, the top portion arranged to engage with the toe, wherein the shackle can be partially released from the lock housing from a first shackle position to a second shackle position; a spindle disposed inside the lock housing and arranged to provide a code locking mechanism, the code locking mechanism configured to operate the padlock in the locked mode or in the opened mode based on a combination code, the spindle comprising a cylindrical surface; a plurality of clutches rotatably mounted on the cylindrical surface of the spindle; a plurality of dials mounted in the middle portion of the lock housing in relationship to the clutches to form the combination code; and an overriding mechanism disposed in relationship to the spindle, the overriding mechanism activatable to cause the padlock to operate in the opened mode, wherein the shackle is in the first shackle position when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, and the shackle is in the second shackle position when the padlock is operated in the opened mode, wherein each of the clutches comprises an extended outer ring, the extended outer ring having a ring surface facing the top portion of the lock housing, the ring surface having thereon one or more extended fins, and each of the dials has an inner wall defining an inner diameter, each of the dials comprising an extended inner ring extended inward from the inner diameter, the extended inner ring having an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having an upper surface facing the top portion of the housing, the lower part having thereon a plurality of ring gaps arranged to receive said one or more extended fins of a clutch so as to control rotational movement of said clutch relative to the spindle, wherein the bottom portion of the lock housing comprises a bottom body, and wherein the spindle is movably mounted on the bottom body such that the spindle can be caused to move upward toward the top portion of the lock housing in a vertical movement from a first spindle position to a second spindle position, and wherein each of the clutches comprises an extended inner ring having a ring thickness and an opening gap made through the ring thickness, and the spindle comprises a plurality of extended protrusions extended from the cylindrical surface, each extended protrusion associated with a clutch such that the inner ring of the clutch prevents the spindle from moving upward when the extended protrusion is misaligned with the opening gap of the associated clutch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification