Locking device having an integral alarm system
First Claim
1. A locking mechanism having an integral alarm system, including a lock body, shackle means having an end removably connected to the body, an electrically conductive element disposed within said shackle means, locking means disposed within the body and movable between a locked and released position, said locking means when in the locked position engaging the end of said shackle means to prevent removal of said end from the body and said locking means when in the released position permitting free removal of said end of the shackle means from said body, alarm means disposed within the body and connected in a normally non-conductive electrical circuit with said electrically conductive element and a source of electrical power, switch means connected in said circuit and having an open and a closed position, means responsive to moving the locking means to the released position for moving the switch means to the open position and reponsive to moving the locking means to the locked position for moving the switch means to the closed position, and means responsive to severing said element when said switch means is in the closed position for rendering said circuit conductive and actuating said alarm means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A padlock includes a body and one or both ends of a shackle can be locked within the body by a lock bolt operated by a locking mechanism, such as a key-operated tumbler. The shackle contains an internal electrically conductive element which is connected in an electrical circuit with a battery and an alarm, both of which are located within the lock body. In addition, a series of insulated wires can be positioned along the inner wall of the body and are also connected in an electrical circuit. If the shackle or lock body is cut, or if the shackle is pried or separated from the lock body, the electrical circuit will be closed to actuate the alarm. The circuit is arranged so that either no power or minimum power is drawn from the battery unless the security of the padlock is violated.
39 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A locking mechanism having an integral alarm system, including a lock body, shackle means having an end removably connected to the body, an electrically conductive element disposed within said shackle means, locking means disposed within the body and movable between a locked and released position, said locking means when in the locked position engaging the end of said shackle means to prevent removal of said end from the body and said locking means when in the released position permitting free removal of said end of the shackle means from said body, alarm means disposed within the body and connected in a normally non-conductive electrical circuit with said electrically conductive element and a source of electrical power, switch means connected in said circuit and having an open and a closed position, means responsive to moving the locking means to the released position for moving the switch means to the open position and reponsive to moving the locking means to the locked position for moving the switch means to the closed position, and means responsive to severing said element when said switch means is in the closed position for rendering said circuit conductive and actuating said alarm means.
- 7. A locking mechanism having an integral alarm system comprising a body, hollow electrically conductive shackle means having one end removably connected to the body, a first electrically conductive element disposed within the hollow interior of the shackle means and extending a substantial portion of the length of said shackle means, insulating means for spacing said element out of contact with said shackle means, a battery contained within the body, and alarm means disposed within the body, one end of said element connected in a normally non-conductive sensing circuit with the battery and the alarm means and said shackle means, the other end of said element being free of connection to said circuit, whereby the circuit is normally non-conductive, severing of said shackle means acting to bring said shackle means into electrical contact with said element to close said circuit and sound the alarm means.
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10. A locking mechanism having an integral alarm system, comprising a rigid electrically conductive structure, an electrically conductive element disposed adjacent said structure, insulating means for insulating the element from said structure, a battery, and alarm means, one end of said element being connected in a normally non-conductive sensing circuit with the battery and said alarm means and said structure, the other end of said element being free of connection to said circuit, whereby the circuit is normally non-conductive, deformation of said structure acting to move the structure into electrical contact with said element to close the circuit and sound said alarm means.
- 11. A locking mechanism having an integral alarm system, including a lock body, shackle means having an end removably connected to the body, an electrically conductive element disposed within the shackle means, locking means disposed within the body and movable between a locked and a released position, said locking means when in the locked position, engaging the end of said shackle means to prevent removal of said end from the body and said locking means when in the released position permiting free removal of said end of the shackle means from said body, alarm means disposed within the body, means responsive to severing said shackle means when the locking means is in the locked position for actuating said alarm means, a battery disposed within the body and connected to said alarm means, said body having an access opening for removal and insertion of said battery, a cover plate to enclose said access opening, and means associated with the shackle means for preventing removal of the cover plate when said end of the shackle means is engaged by said locking means.
Specification