High security lock
First Claim
1. A method of releasably securing a hasp, having a slotted tongue and an apertured member sized to be received in said tongue slot, in a closed position with a padlock secure against opening by cutting or breaking said padlock with common lock breaking tools, comprising:
- closing said hasp by inserting said apertured member through said slot in said tongue;
inserting a primarily monolithic Nitinol shackle on said padlock through said aperture of said member;
pressing said Nitinol shackle in a pair of bores in a lock body of said padlock so that both ends of said shackle are within said lock body; and
latching said shackle in a closed position in said lock body with a catch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method high security locking includes inserting a shackle having two ends into a lock body having openings for receiving the ends of the shackle. A latch in the lock body has a catch that snaps into engagement with the shackle for securing at least one end of the shackle in the body. The latch may be released to allow the one end of the shackle to move clear of the body. to open the lock. The shackle is made of a shape memory effect alloy having a characteristic that its yield strength increases when work is impressed on it, so that cutting or breaking the shackle with common tools is more difficult and time consuming than with other shackle materials. The lock thus provides a level of security substantially superior to conventional locks.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of releasably securing a hasp, having a slotted tongue and an apertured member sized to be received in said tongue slot, in a closed position with a padlock secure against opening by cutting or breaking said padlock with common lock breaking tools, comprising:
-
closing said hasp by inserting said apertured member through said slot in said tongue; inserting a primarily monolithic Nitinol shackle on said padlock through said aperture of said member; pressing said Nitinol shackle in a pair of bores in a lock body of said padlock so that both ends of said shackle are within said lock body; and latching said shackle in a closed position in said lock body with a catch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of preventing access to an automobile steering column ignition lock for securing an automobile from theft, comprising:
-
locking said ignition lock of said automobile with an ignition lock key; covering said ignition lock with a cover; and locking said cover in a closed position over said ignition lock with a lock having a primarily solid monolithic Nitinol shackle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of locking, comprising;
-
inserting a shackle of a lock through a staple of a hasp; and securing said lock shackle with a catch in a body of said lock such that said lock shackle can be released only by operating said lock to release said shackle and open said lock; wherein said lock shackle is made primarily of solid monolithic Nitinol. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of locking, comprising:
-
pressing a free end of a lock shackle into an opening in a body of said lock containing a catch; engaging said free end of said shackle with a catch to secure said free end within said body of said lock; wherein said lock shackle is primarily solid monolithic Nitinol. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification