Multiple function lock

• US 20040226324A1
• Filed: 05/13/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STANTON CONCEPTS LLC
• Original Assignee: STANTON CONCEPTS LLC
• Inventors: Loughlin, Robert, Loughlin, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,434,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/25
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0062 with destructive disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/008 for simple tool-like keys
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/105 Locks allowing opening by official authorities, e.g. master key opening of luggage locks by customs officials
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/02 with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/10 with devices for securing the free end of the shackle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/22 Padlocks with sliding shackles, with or without rotary or pivotal movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/417 Combination-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/437 Key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/459 Both legs engaged
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/491 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key

Abstract

A multiple function lock comprising an engaging element and a captive element. The engaging element enters a captive space provided in the captive element for locking the lock. sThe captive element includes a selectable passage into the captive space for permitting the engagement element to be selectively released or secured. The selectable passage is revealed or concealed through translation or rotation of a blocking element. In certain embodiments, the multiple function lock comprises a body, a shackle having toe and heel portions, a first locking mechanism for securing the heel portion to the body and a separate second locking mechanism for securing the toe portion to the body. The second locking mechanism is operative to engage and disengage the toe portion from the body so the shackle may rotate about the heel portion secured by the body.

Claims

1. A multiple function lock comprising an engaging element and a captive element, said engaging element adapted to enter a captive space provided in said captive element for locking said lock, said captive element having a selectable passage into the captive space for permitting said engagement element to be selectively released or secured.

2. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said selectable passage is revealed or closed through translation of a blocking element.

3. The multiple function lock of claim 2, wherein said translation of said blocking element is achieved by use of a tool.

4. The multiple function lock of claim 3, wherein said tool is a key.

5. The multiple function lock of claim 3, wherein said tool utilizes mechanical advantage to translate said blocking element.

6. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said selectable passage may be rotated to selectively release or secure said engagement element.

7. The multiple function lock of claim 6, wherein said rotation is achieved by use of a tool.

8. The multiple function lock of claim 7, wherein said tool is a key.

9. The multiple function lock of claim 7, wherein said tool utilizes mechanical advantage to rotate said selectable passage.

10. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said lock is a padlock.

11. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said lock is permanently incorporated into a piece of luggage.

12. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said engaging element is operable by use of a tool.

13. The multiple function lock of claim 12, wherein said tool is a key.

14. The multiple function lock of claim 12, wherein said tool is a power tool.

15. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said engagement element is operable by a combination mechanism.

16. A multiple function lock comprising a body, a shackle having toe and heel portions, a first locking mechanism for securing said heel portion to said body and a separate second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body.

17. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said first locking mechanism is operative to engage and disengage said heel portion from said body such that said shackle may rotate about said heel portion secured by said body.

18. The multiple function lock of claim 17, wherein said second locking mechanism is operative to engage and disengage said toe portion from said body such that said shackle may rotate about said heel portion secured by said body.

19. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said second locking mechanism is operative to engage and disengage said toe portion from said body such that said shackle may rotate about said heel portion secured by said body.

20. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a keyed cylinder.

21. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a combination lock.

22. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a retaining member, said retaining member having a recess for receiving said toe portion, said retaining member being moveable between an unlocked position at which said toe portion is free to rotate about said heel portion and a locked position at which said toe portion is received within said recess of said retaining member to restrict rotation thereof.

23. The multiple function lock of claim 22, wherein said retaining cup extends from said body in said locked position.

24. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said body includes an opening extending therein, said second locking mechanism includes a latching portion adapted to be slid within said opening to engage said toe portion, and said toe portion further includes a recess adapted to receive said latching portion;

said latching portion having a locked position at which said latching portion extends from within said body into said recess to engage said toe portion.

25. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a rotatable element mounted on said body, said rotatable element having an opening permitting selective passage of said toe portion when said opening is rotated to an unlocked position to align said opening with a path of rotation of said toe portion about said heel portion, said rotatable element having a locked position at which said opening does not align with the path of rotation of said toe portion about said heel portion.

26. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said second locking mechanism is actuatable by any one of a key or a tool.

27. The multiple function lock of claim 26, wherein said actuation by a key or a tool initiates translation or rotation of said second locking mechanism.

28. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said body and said heel portion form an aperture adapted to receive a tamper evident element.

29. The multiple function lock of claim 28, wherein said tamper evident element may be passed through said aperture.

30. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said body and said toe portion form an aperture adapted to receive a tamper evident element.

31. The multiple function lock of claim 30, wherein said tamper evident element may be passed through said aperture.

32. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said lock is adapted to accept an adhesive label applied thereto, said label adapted to rupture upon manipulation of said second locking mechanism.

33. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a rotatable element mounted within said body, said rotatable element having an interrupted portion permitting selective passage of said toe portion when said interrupted portion is rotated to an unlocked position to align said interrupted portion with a path of rotation of said toe portion about said heel portion, said rotatable element having a locked position at which said interrupted portion does not align with the path of rotation of said toe portion about said heel portion.

34. The multiple function lock of claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a frangible element securing said toe portion, said frangible element adapted to be fractured upon the application of a sufficient force thereupon.

35. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said application of force is by rotation of said shackle about said heel portion.

36. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said frangible element includes locally weakened areas to control the fracture characteristics of said frangible element.

37. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said frangible element further comprises a pull tab adapted to fracture said frangible element upon pulling of said pull tab.

38. A multiple function lock comprising:

a body;

a unshaped shackle having toe and heel portions, said heel portion rotatably secured within said body;

a combination locking mechanism for securing said heel portion, said combination locking mechanism having a locked position in which said heel portion is retained within said body but is free to rotate and an unlocked position in which said heel portion may be lifted from within said body;

a second locking mechanism comprising a keyed cylinder operationally engaged with a retaining cup, said keyed cylinder having a locked position in which said retaining cup retains said toe portion therein and an unlocked position in which said retaining cup does not retain said toe portion therein.

39. The multiple function lock of claim 38, wherein said retaining cup is within said body in said unlocked position of said keyed cylinder.

40. The multiple function lock of claim 38, wherein said retaining cup further includes a passage adapted to permit entry and exit of said toe portion in said unlocked position of said keyed cylinder.

41. The multiple function lock of claim 40, wherein said retaining cup rotates between said unlocked position and said locked position.

42. The multiple function lock of claim 38, wherein said second locking mechanism protrudes from a top side of said body in said locked position of said second locking mechanism and a bottom side of said body in said unlocked position of said second locking mechanism.

43. A tool for opening a lock of the type having a first locking mechanism for securing the heel portion of a shackle and a second locking mechanism for securing the toe portion of the shackle, said tool adapted to lock and unlock said second locking mechanism.

44. The tool of claim 43, wherein said tool incorporates an element adapted to selectively rotate said second locking mechanism to lock or unlock the toe portion of the shackle.

45. The tool of claim 43, wherein said tool further comprises a ratcheting assembly operative to impart incremental force upon the lock to unlock said second locking mechanism.

46. The tool of claim 43, wherein said tool is power operated.

47. The tool of claim 46, wherein said power is one of electrical power, pneumatic power, or hydraulic power.

48. A tool having a structure unique to opening one of the first or second locking mechanisms of a multiple function lock, wherein the first locking mechanism is adapted to selectively engage a captive element within a captive space and the second locking mechanism is adapted to disengage the captive element from within the captive space independent of the first locking mechanism.

49. A method of opening a lock having two manners of opening, one of said manners adapted to unlock the heel portion of a shackle and the second adapted to unlock the toe portion of the shackle, said method comprising the step of opening one of said two manners of opening.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising maintaining one manner of opening as exclusive to a particular group of individuals.

51. A combination of a lock and a tool, wherein said lock comprises a body and a shackle having toe and heel portions, a first locking mechanism for securing said heel and said toe portions to said body and a separate second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body, said tool adapted to lock and unlock said second locking mechanism.

52. A method of inspecting containers locked with a multiple function lock comprising an engaging element and a frangible captive element, the engaging element adapted to enter a captive space provided in the captive element for locking the lock, the captive element being frangible such that fracture of the captive element unlocks the lock, the method comprising:

fracturing the frangible element;

opening the container for inspection of the contents therein;

closing the container.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the steps of:

replacing the frangible element with an intact frangible element;

placing the captive element into a space provided in the intact captive element.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of sliding the intact frangible element partially up the engaging element to assist with the replacement of the frangible element with an intact frangible element.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the intact frangible element is visually distinct from the fractured frangible element.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the visual distinction between the fractured frangible element and the intact frangible element is color differentiation.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the visual distinction between the fractured frangible element and the intact frangible element is due to distinct markings.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the distinct markings are alphanumeric.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the distinct markings are bar codes.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the distinct markings are symbols, logos or other insignia.

61. The method of claim 53, wherein the intact frangible element includes a radio frequency identification tag.

62. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of placing the lock within the container.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of sealing the container with a protective seal.

64. A kit for housing locks adapted to permit selective access to a container, said kit comprising:

A multiple function lock having a body, a shackle having toe and heel portions, a first locking mechanism for securing the heel portion to the body and a separate second locking mechanism for securing the toe portion to the body, the second locking mechanism comprising of a frangible element, the frangible element adapted to be fractured and discarded upon the application of a sufficient force thereupon; and

at least one additional frangible element to replace any fractured frangible elements.