Padlock with tamper alarm

• US 4,556,872 A
• Filed: 08/18/1983
• Issued: 12/03/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masoncup
• Original Assignee: John F. Masoncup
• Inventors: Masoncup, John F., Peterson, Eric O., Peterson, Alan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US06/524,152
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/543, 340/568, 200/61.64, 70/432, 70/434, 70/439, 70/53
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8216 Tampering detector

Abstract

A padlock contains a battery connected by electrical circuitry and switches to an alarm sounding device which sounds an alarm when someone attempts to force open or sever the lock shackle or when someone attempts to remove the battery in an unauthorized manner. A test signal of momentary duration is automatically sounded each time the lock is opened or closed in an authorized manner, and this indicates whether the alarm system is operative.

Claims

1. A padlock with a tamper alarm, said padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a pair of legs;

means mounting said shackle for reciprocal movement relative to said body between a closed first position and an open second position of the shackle when the shackle is in its closed position;

lock means operable to disengage said latch means from said shackle;

alarm means actuable to sound an alarm;

and means, responsive to the movement of said shackle between its first and second position, for automatically actuating said alarm means momentarily as a test of its operativeness.

2. A padlock as recited in claim 1 wherein said movable shackle comprises a long leg and a short leg and said means for actuating said alarm means momentarily comprises:

means for containing a battery;

a first ring surrounding said long shackle leg;

means mounting said first ring in a stationary disposition relative to said long shackle leg;

a pair of conductors on said first ring;

means on the first ring electrically insulating each of said pair of conductors from the other;

means for electrically connecting one conductor on said ring to said battery;

means electrically connecting the other conductor on said ring to said alarm means;

a second ring disposed around said long shackle leg and movably mounted thereon for movement toward and away from the first ring;

means normally urging said second ring into contact with the first ring;

and means on the second ring for electrically connecting the two conductors on the first ring when the two rings are in contact.

3. A padlock as recited in claim 2 and comprising:

means on the long leg of said shackle for engaging said second ring and moving it away from and out of contact with said first ring, to an open position for the second ring, in response to movement of the shackle from its closed to its open position.

4. A padlock as recited in claim 1 and comprising:

a compartment is said body for containing a battery to provide energy for said alarm means;

an entry to said compartment for gaining access to a battery therein;

a removable cap for closing said entry;

and means, responsive to the removal of said cap when the shackle is in its closed position, for actuating said alarm means.

5. A padlock as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for actuating said alarm means in response to the removal of said cap comprises:

an electrical circuit comprising a pair of switch means;

means for maintaining one of said switch means in an open condition when said cap is unremoved;

means for maintaining the other of said switch means in a closed position when said shackle is in its closed position;

said electrical circuit comprising means for connecting said battery to said alarm means to actuate the alarm means, when both of said switch means are closed;

and means responsive to the removal of said cap for closing said one switch means.

6. A padlock as recited in claim 5 and comprising:

means responsive to the movement of said shackle from its closed to its open position for opening said other switch means.

7. A padlock as recited in claim 5 and comprising:

means rendering said alarm means disconnected from said battery when one of said switch means is open.

8. A padlock as recited in claim 4 and comprising:

means, responsive to severance of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position, for actuating said alarm means.

9. A padlock as recited in claim 4 and comprising:

means, responsive to the movement of the other shackle leg toward said open position thereof while said one leg is engaged by said latch means, for actuating said alarm means.

10. A padlock as recited in claim 1 and comprising:

means, responsive to severance of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position, for actuating said alarm means.

11. A padlock as recited in claim 1 and comprising:

means, responsive to the movement of the other shackle leg toward said open position thereof while said one leg is engaged by said latch means, for actuating said alarm means.

12. A padlock as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for actuating said alarm means momentarily comprises:

means for containing a battery;

an electrical circuit including first and second switch means;

means for maintaining said first switch means in an open condition and said second switch means in a closed position when said shackle is in its closed position;

said electrical circuit comprising means for connecting said battery to said alarm means to actuate the alarm means, when both of said switch means are closed;

and means, responsive to the movement of said shackle from its closed to its open position, for closing said first switch means and for then opening said second switch means after said first switch means has been closed.

13. A padlock as recited in claim 12 and comprising:

means, responsive to the movement of said shackle from its open to its closed position, for closing said second switch means and for then opening said first switch means after said second switch means has been closed.

14. A padlock as recited in claim 12 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

means rendering said alarm means disconnected from said battery when one of said switch means is open.

15. A padlock as recited in claim 12 and comprising:

a compartment in said body for containing said battery;

an entry to said compartment for gaining access to a battery therein;

a removable cap for closing said entry;

and means, responsive to the removal of said cap when the shackle is in its closed position, for actuating said alarm means.

16. A padlock as recited in claim 15 wherein said means for actuating said alarm means in response to the removal of said cap comprises:

third switch means in said electrical circuit;

means for maintaining said third switch means in an open condition when said cap is unremoved;

said electrical circuit comprising means for connecting said battery to said alarm means to actuate the alarm means, when both of said second and third switch means are closed;

and means responsive to the removal of said cap for closing said third switch means.

17. A padlock as recited in claim 16 and comprising:

means responsive to the movement of said shackle from its closed to its open position for opening said second switch means.

18. A padlock as recited in claim 16 and comprising:

means rendering said alarm means disconnected from said battery when both of said first and third switch means is open.

19. A padlock as recited in claim 12 wherein said movable shackle comprises a long leg and a short leg and said second switch means comprises:

a first ring surrounding said long shackle leg;

means mounting said first ring in a stationary disposition relative to said long shackle leg;

a pair of conductors on said first ring;

means on the first ring electrically insulating each of said pair of conductors from the other;

means for electrically connecting one conductor on said ring to said battery;

means for electrically connecting the other conductor on said ring to said alarm means;

a second ring disposed around said long shackle leg and movably mounted thereon for movement toward and away from the first ring;

means normally urging said second ring into contact with the first ring;

and means on the second ring for electrically connecting the two conductors on the first ring when the two rings are in contact.

20. A padlock as recited in claim 19 wherein said means for opening said second switch means comprises:

means associated with the long leg of said shackle for engaging said second ring and moving it away from and out of contact with said first ring, to an open position for the second ring, in response to movement of the shackle from its closed to its open position.

21. A padlock as recited in claim 20 and comprising:

first spring means for urging said shackle from its closed to its open position when said latch means is disengaged from the shackle;

said urging means for said second ring comprising second spring means;

said first spring means being stronger than said second spring means.

22. A padlock as recited in claim 12 wherein said movable shackle comprises a long leg and a short leg having a free end, and said first switch means comprises;

a conductor ring located in said body inwardly of said free end of said short shackle leg;

a conductor member located in said body inwardly of said conductor ring;

means for electrically connecting one of (a) said conductor ring and (b) said conductor member to said battery and the other to said second switch means;

means mounting said conductor member for movement toward and away from said conductor ring;

means normally urging said conductor member toward said conductor ring for closing said first switch means;

a non-conductive stud extending outwardly from said conductor member, through said conductor ring and abutting against the free end of the short shackle leg when the shackle is in its closed position, to hold said conductor member away from said conductor ring when the shackle is closed;

the distance between the conductor member and the conductor ring when the shackle is closed being less than the distance traveled in an outward direction by the free end of the short shackle leg when the shackle moves from its closed to its open position.

23. A padlock as recited in claim 22 wherein said second switch means comprises:

a first ring surrounding said long shackle leg;

means mounting said first ring in a stationary disposition relative to said long shackle leg;

a pair of conductors on said first ring;

means on the first ring electrically insulating each of said pair of conductors from the other;

means for electrically connecting one conductor on said ring to said battery;

means electrically connecting the other conductor on said ring to said alarm means;

a second ring disposed around said long shackle leg and movably mounted thereon for movement toward and away from the first ring;

means normally urging said second ring into contact with the first ring;

and means on the second ring for electrically connecting the two conductors on the first ring when the two rings are in contact.

24. A padlock as recited in claim 23 wherein said means for opening said second switch means comprises:

means associated with the long leg of said shackle for engaging said second ring and moving it away from and out of contact with said first ring, to an open position for the second ring, in response to movement of the shackle from its closed to its open position.

25. A padlock as recited in claim 24 wherein:

the distance between (a) said open position of said second ring and (b) the position of said second ring when it contacts the first ring is less than the distance traveled by the free end of the short shackle leg when it moves inwardly from (c) the open position of the shackle to (d) the position at which said free end abuts said non-conductive stud.

26. A padlock as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for momentarily actuating said alarm means comprises:

means for containing a battery;

an electrical circuit including first and second switch means;

means for maintaining said first switch means in a closed position and said second switch means in an open position, when said shackle is in its open position;

said electrical circuit comprising means for connecting said battery to said alarm means to actuate the alarm means, when both of said switch means are closed;

and means, responsive to the movement of said shackle from its open to its closed position, for closing said second switch means and for then opening said first switch means after said second switch means has been closed.

27. A padlock as recited in claim 26 and comprising:

means responsive to the movement of said shackle from its closed to its open position, for closing said first switch means and for then opening said second switch means after said first switch means has been closed;

and means rendering said alarm means disconnected from said battery when one of said switch means is open.

28. A padlock as recited in claim 26 wherein said electrical circuit comprises:

means rendering said alarm means disconnected from said battery when one of said switch means is open.

29. A padlock with a tamper alarm, said padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a pair of legs;

means mounting said shackle for reciprocal movement relative to said body between a closed first position and an open second position of the shackle;

latch means for engaging one leg of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position;

lock means operable to disengage said latch means from said shackle;

alarm means actuable to sound an alarm;

a compartment in said body for containing a battery to provide energy for said alarm means;

an entry to said compartment for gaining access to a battery therein;

a removable cap for closing said entry;

first contact means between said cap and the location in said compartment for said battery;

ring-shaped second contact means between said first contact means and said cap;

means for electrically connecting one of said contact means to said battery and the other contact means to said alarm means;

means mounting said first contact means for movement between a closed first position, in which the first contact means is in electrical contact with said second contact means for closing a connection between said battery and said alarm means, and an open second position in which said electrical contact is broken;

means associated with said cap for displacing the first contact means to its open second position when the cap is closed;

and means for urging the first contact means to its closed first position in response to removal of said cap;

whereby said alarm means is actuated in response to the removal of said cap when the shackle is in its closed position.

30. A padlock as recited in claim 29 wherein:

said first contact means constitutes the outer portion of a member having an electrically conductive inner portion for engaging said battery and an insulative portion separating said outer and inner portions;

and said means for urging the first contact means to its closed position comprises means for urging said battery toward said cap.

31. A padlock as recited in claim 29 wherein:

said second contact means comprises a pair of conductive rings;

one of said rings being connected to the alarm means and having an opening through which may pass a battery containable in said compartment, for removal of the battery from said compartment;

means removably mounting the other ring in an operative position in which said other ring is in electrical contact with said one ring;

said other ring having an opening too small for said battery to pass through when the other ring is in its operative position, thereby blocking removal of the battery;

said other ring comprising means for effecting said electrical contact with said first contact means when the latter is in its closed first position.

32. A padlock with a tamper alarm, said padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a pair of legs

means mounting said shackle for reciprocal movement relative to said body between a closed first position and an open second position of the shackle;

latch means for engaging one leg of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position;

lock means operable to disengage said latch means from said shackle;

alarm means actuable to sound an alarm;

a compartment in said body for containing a battery to provide energy for said alarm means;

an entry to said compartment for gaining access to a battery therein;

a removable cap for closing said entry;

an electrical circuit comprising a pair of switch means;

means for maintaining one of said switch means in an open condition when said cap is unremoved;

means for maintaining the other of said switch means in a closed position when said shackle is in its closed position;

said electrical circuit comprising means for connecting said battery to said alarm means to actuate the alarm means, when both of said switch means are closed;

said one switch means comprising first contact means between said cap and the location in said compartment for said battery;

ring-shaped second contact means between said first contact means and said cap;

said connecting means comprising means for electrically connecting one of said contact means to said battery and the other contact means to said other switch means;

means mounting said first contact means for movement between a closed first position, in which the first contact means is in electrical contact with said second contact means to close the one switch means, and an open second position in which said electrical contact is broken;

means associated with said cap for displacing the first contact means to its open second position when the cap is closed;

and means for urging the first contact means to its closed first position in response to removal of said cap;

whereby said alarm means is actuated in response to the removal of said cap when the shackle is in the closed position.

33. A padlock as recited in claim 32 wherein:

said first contact means constitutes the outer portion of a member having an electrically conductive inner portion for engaging said battery and an insulative portion separating said outer and inner portions;

and said means for urging the first contact means to its closed position comprising means for urging said battery toward said cap.

34. A padlock as recited in claim 32 wherein:

said second contact means comprises a pair of conductive rings;

one of said rings being connected to the other switch means and having an opening through which may pass a battery containable in said compartment, for removal of the battery from said compartment;

said one switch means comprising means removably mounting the other ring in an operative position in which said other ring is in electrical contact with said one ring;

said other ring having an opening too small for said battery to pass through when the other ring is in its operative position, thereby blocking removal of the battery,

said other ring comprising means for effecting said electrical contact with said first contact means when the latter is in its closed first position.

35. A padlock with a tamper alarm, said padlock being for use with a battery having a pair of poles each at a respective opposite end of the battery, said padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a pair of legs;

means mounting said shackle for reciprocal movement relative to said body between a closed first position and an open second position of the shackle;

latch means for engaging one leg of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position;

lock means operable to disengage said latch means from said shackle;

alarm means actuable to sound an alarm;

a compartment in said body for containing a battery to provide energy for said alarm means;

an entry to said compartment for gaining access to a battery therein;

a removable cap for closing said entry;

means, responsive to the removal of said cap when the shackle is in its closed position, for actuating said alarm means;

a pair of movable battery-engaging elements each comprising means for engaging a respective pole of said battery;

each of said battery-engaging elements being located adjacent a respective pole of said battery when the battery is in said compartment;

means associated with said cap for urging one of said battery-engaging elements toward said battery to maintain the battery in contact with both of said battery-engaging elements when said entry is closed by said cap;

means for urging the other of said battery engaging elements toward said battery to maintain the battery in contact with both of said battery-engaging elements when said cap is removed;

and means for limiting the movement of said one battery-engaging element away from said battery when the cap is removed;

said urging means for said other battery-engaging element comprising means for limiting movement of the other battery-engaging element away from the battery when said one battery engaging element is urged toward the battery.

36. A padlock with a tamper alarm, said padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a long leg and a short leg having a free end;

means mounting said shackle for reciprocal movement relative to said body between a closed first position and an open second position of the shackle;

latch means for engaging said long leg of said shackle when the shackle is in its closed position;

lock means operable to disengage said latch means from said shackle;

alarm means actuable to sound an alarm;

means in said body for containing a battery to provide energy for said alarm means;

a conductor ring located inwardly of said free end of said short shackle leg;

a conductor member located in said body inwardly of said conductor ring;

means for electrically connecting one of (a) said conductor ring and (b) said conductor member to a battery contained in said body and the other to said alarm means;

means mounting said conductor member for movement toward and away from said conductor ring;

means normally urging said conductor member toward said conductor ring for closing a connection between said battery and said alarm means;

and a non-conductive stud extending outwardly from said conductor member, through said conductor ring and abutting against the free end of the short shackle leg when the shackle is in its closed position, to hold said conductor member away from said conductor ring when the shackle is closed;

the distance between the conductor member and the conductor ring when the shackle is closed being less than the distance traveled in an outward direction by the free end of the short shackle leg when the shackle moves from its closed to its open position;

whereby said alarm means is actuated in response to movement of the short leg toward its open position while the long leg is engaged by the latch means.