Padlock

• US 20070125141A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Inventors: Wu, Chun-Sheng, Ling, Renny
• Granted Patent: US 8,720,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/284
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/491 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/493 Protectors
• 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, which has dual, independently operated, locking mechanisms. In one embodiment, the multiple function lock is further comprised of a combination locking mechanism and a keyed locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the multiple function lock is further comprised of a gate mechanism for selectively securing and releasing a shackle of the lock.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. 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 independent second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body, each of said first and second locking mechanisms being operable to be unlocked without unlocking the other.

15. The multiple function lock of claim 14, 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.

16. The multiple function lock of claim 15, 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.

17. The multiple function lock of claim 14, 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.

18. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a keyed cylinder.

19. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a combination lock.

20. The multiple function lock of claim 14, 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.

21. The multiple function lock of claim 20, wherein said retaining member extends from said body in said locked position.

22. The multiple function lock of claim 14, 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.

23. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein said second locking mechanism is actuatable by a key.

24. The multiple function lock of claim 23, wherein said actuation by a key initiates translation or rotation of said second locking mechanism.

25. The multiple function lock of claim 14, 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.

26. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein said second locking mechanism is associated with said toe.

27. A multiple function lock comprising:

a body;

a U-shaped 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.

28. The multiple function lock of claim 27, wherein said retaining cup is within said body in said unlocked position of said keyed cylinder.

29. The multiple function lock of claim 27, 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.

30. The multiple function lock of claim 29, wherein said retaining cup rotates between said unlocked position and said locked position.

31. The multiple function lock of claim 27, 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.

32. 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 independent second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body, 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.

33. 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 independent second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body, 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, wherein said retaining member extends from said body in said locked position.

34. A multiple function lock comprising:

a body;

a U-shaped shackle having a toe portion and a heel portion, said heel portion rotatably secured within said body;

a passage having an external portion through said body adjacent to said toe portion, said toe portion adapted to move through said external portion of said passage upon rotation of said heel portion to unlock said lock, said body further defining a blocking member moveable between a blocking position concealing said external portion of said passage and thereby restricting said toe portion from moving through said passage and an open position revealing said external portion of said passage to permit said toe portion to move therethrough.

35. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said blocking member is a retaining cup adapted to be housed within said body, said retaining cup being arranged to move between a first position in which a barrier member blocks said passage and a second position in which said barrier member is clear of said passage.

36. The multiple function lock of claim 35, wherein said retaining cup is moveable by rotation and adapted to be engaged by a tool to rotate.

37. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said body further comprises a slot and said blocking member further comprises a bore, said bore adapted to receive a key through said slot, the key adapted to selectively rotate said retaining cup between said first position and said second position.

38. The multiple function lock of claim 34, wherein said blocking member comprises a base with a blocking element extending therefrom.

39. The multiple function lock of claim 38, wherein said base is cylindrical.

40-60. -60. (canceled)