Shackleless lock

• US 6,766,671 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Master Lock Company (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Master Lock Company (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Peterson, Troy A., Haczynski, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US10/199,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20040011092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 70/2--13, 70/23, 70/32--34, 70/54--56
• US Class Current: 70/23
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/36 Padlocks with closing means other than shackles ; Removable locks, the lock body itself being the locking element; Padlocks consisting of two separable halves or cooperating with a stud
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/383 Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/42 Non-shackle type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/441 Housing extension and cooperating detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/443 Single stem or shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies

Abstract

A high-security shackleless lock is provided. The lock includes a shackle pin adapted to move between a closed position extending across a lock body recess to engage a staple; and an open, staple-free position. A lock bar mounted entirely within the lock body can be move between a closed shackle pin engaging position to retain the shackle pin in its staple-engaging position, and an open shackle pin-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across the lock body and cannot engage a staple. A shackle pin spring urges the shackle into its open position, and a lock bar spring urges the lock bar into its closed position. The shackle pin has a distal end formed with a head element of extended dimensions. The lock body defines a recess adapted to closely confront the shackle pin head when the shackle pin is located in its closed position.

Claims

1. A shackleless lock, comprising, in combination, a lock body defining a recess to receive a staple therein;

a shackle pin adapted to move between a closed position extending across the lock body recess to engage a staple, and an open, staple-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across the lock body; and

a lock bar positioned entirely within the lock body and being movable along a straight linear path between a closed shackle-pin-engaging position to retain the shackle pin in its staple-engaging position, and an open, shackle pin-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across the lock body and cannot engage a staple.

2. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 further including a lock mechanism adapted to be moved between a locked configuration in which the shackle pin is in its staple-engaging position, and unlocked configuration in which the shackle pin is in its staple-free position.

3. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein the lock body has a cylindrical shape.

4. A shackleless lock according to claim 3 wherein the lock body further comprises a unitary shell.

5. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein said shackle pin is positioned substantially entirely within the lock body when the shackle pin is in its closed position.

6. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said shackle pin is positioned outside the lock body when the shackle pin is in its open, staple free position.

7. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 further including a shackle pin biasing element for biasing the shackle pin into its open, staple-free, position.

8. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 further including a lock bar biasing element for biasing the lock bar into its closed, shackle pin retaining position.

9. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 further including a lock mechanism and a driver element for engaging the lock mechanism and said lock bar for urging the lock bar into its open shackle pin-free position when the lock mechanism is configured in its locked position.

10. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein said shackle pin has a distal end, the distal end including a head element of greater transverse dimension than adjacent stem portions of the shackle pin, the head element being further defined by an undercut surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shackle pin, and the head element being further defined by a circumferential surface oriented substantially perpendicularly to the undercut surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shackle pin.

11. A shackleless lock according to claim 10 where the lock body defines a shackle pin head-receiving recess, the recess being at least partly defined by a relieved surface extending substantially parallel to and confronting the shackle pin undercut surface, and by a circumferential surface confronting and parallel to the shackle pin circumferential surface.

12. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein said lock further includes a lock bar embossment for engaging a relief in the shackle pin when the lock bar and the shackle pin are in their closed positions.

13. A shackleless lock according to claim 10 wherein the shackleless lock further includes a shackle pin biasing element engaging the shackle pin head undercut surface and a portion of the lock body.

14. A shackleless lock according to claim 8 wherein said lock bar element and lock bar biasing means are arranged so that said lock bar is biased into its closed position.

15. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein said shackle pin is partly defined by a flat surface and said lock bar is partly defined by a flat surface and a relief, the shackle pin flat surface and the lock bar flat surface interacting so as to prevent the shackle pin from rotating, yet permitting the shackle pin to slide past the lock bar over a portion of the shackle pin length when the lock bar relief directly confronts the shackle pin.

16. A shackleless lock according to claim 1 wherein said driver includes an external rounded head cam surface for engaging the lock bar so as to move the lock bar with smooth, predictable motion as the driver is rotated by the lock mechanism.

17. A shackleless lock, comprising, in combination, a lock body defining a recess to receive a staple therein;

a shackle pin adapted to move between a closed position extending across the lock in body recess to engage a staple, and an open, staple-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across a lot body recess;

a shackle pin adapted to move between a closed position extending across the lock body recess to engage a staple, and an open, staple-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across the lock body;

a lock bar mounted entirely within the lock body and being movable between a closed shackle-pin-engaging position to retain the shackle pin in its staple-engaging position, and an open shackle pin-free position wherein the shackle pin does not extend across the lock body and cannot engage a staple;

a shackle pin biasing element for biasing the shackle pin into its open, staple-free position; and

a lock bar biasing element for biasing the lock bar into its closed, shackle pin retaining position.