Combination and key operated padlock with indicator for advising that the clock has been opened with a key

• US 20080011026A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glox Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Glox Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Huang, Chien-Chien
• Application Number:
  US11/487,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011026A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/21
• 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 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/00 Locks giving indication of authorised or unauthorised unlocking with key identification means E05B35/001; alarm locks E05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled

Abstract

A combination and key operated padlock includes a housing including a top aperture, a dial assembly, a key turning mechanism, a spring-biased pivot assembly, a spring-biased push button, a shackle including one spring-biased leg and the other leg having a slot proximate its terminating end, a spring-biased T-shaped detent mechanism, and a spring-biased pivotal indicator. Inserting a key and clockwise turning the key will open the padlock and project an indication member out of the aperture for advising an owner of the padlock that the padlock has been opened by means of a key. Turning the dials to a correct combination will unlock the padlock and retract the indication member into the aperture again.

Claims

1. A combination and key operated padlock comprising:

a housing including a top aperture, a plurality of openings formed thereon, and a top hole;

a dial assembly mounted in the housing and including a plurality of wheel-like dials, a plurality of sleeves axially moveably fastened in the dials, a spring-biased bar axially moveably fastened in the sleeves and including an end enlargement disposed externally of the dials and the sleeves;

a key turning mechanism including a cylinder mounted in the housing, a keyhole on an outer end of the cylinder, and a projection of half circular section projecting from an inner end of the cylinder;

a spring-biased pivot assembly pivotably mounted in the housing and including a latch extended toward the hole, the latch having a locking dog at an open end, a projecting engagement member urged against the flat of the projection in a locked position, and a protuberance opposite the latch;

a spring-biased push button disposed on the pivot assembly and co-pivotably disposed therewith;

a shackle including one spring-biased leg pivotably secured to the top of the housing, and the other leg having a terminating end received in the hole in the locked position, and a slot proximate the terminating end and engaged with the locking dog in the locked position;

a substantially T-shaped detent mechanism including a sliding member proximate the projection, a spring-biased stop member provided perpendicular to the sliding member, and a tab projecting from an open end of the stop member; and

a spring-biased pivotal indicator including an arm stopped by the tab in the locked position, an indication member formed at one end of the arm and concealed in the housing in the locked position, and a catch opposite the arm and adapted to urge against the engagement member;

whereby

inserting a key into the keyhole to clockwise turn the projection to move the sliding member toward the top of the housing will elastically move the stop member to disengage the tab with the arm so as to clockwise pivotably move the arm for projecting the indication member out of the aperture;

continuing the turning of the projection will pivot the engagement member to cause the locking dog to clear the slot and pivot the other leg out of the hole about one leg relative to the housing;

inserting the other leg into the hole again and then counterclockwise turning the projection will counterclockwise pivot the pivot assembly to cause the locking dog to enter into the slot to lock the shackle with the indication member maintained in the projected state and the sliding member maintained in the current position;

turning the dials to a correct combination will unlock the bar and pressing the push button will cause the nose to push the bar and the protuberance inward to cause the pivot assembly to clockwise pivot for causing the locking dog to clear the slot and pivot the other leg out of the hole about one leg relative to the housing with the engagement member pivoted clockwise to engage with the catch and counterclockwise pivot the catch until the indication member retracts into the aperture and the sliding member elastically moves back to its original position prior to releasing the push button to clockwise pivot the arm until being stopped by the tab; and

inserting the other leg into the hole again will lock the padlock with the indication member maintained in the retracted state.