Combination lock and padlock combination with opening warning device

• US 7,131,299 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glox Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Glox Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Huang, Chien-Chien
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US11/435,443
• Time in Patent Office: 175 Days
• Field of Search: 70 21- 29, 703/12, 704/32, 702/84, 702/85, 70 45- 47
• US Class Current: 70/21
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/43 Sliding detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7305 Manually operable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators

Abstract

A combination lock and padlock combination as a lock is disclosed that includes a spring-biased pivot assembly comprising a locking dog and an engagement member; a push button pivotably disposed on the pivot assembly; a U-shaped shackle comprising a slotted leg for locking the locking dog; a spring-biased L-shaped catch assembly comprising a sliding member at one end and a tab projected from the other end; and a spring-biased opening warning assembly pivotably provided in the housing and comprising a locked mark at one end exposed at a window in a locked position of the lock and an open mark adapted to switch with the locked mark. Once the lock is opened by a key by one of a number of persons sharing the lock, the open mark is exposed on the window and other person(s) may be aware of same by seeing the open mark.

Claims

1. A combination lock and padlock combination as a lock comprising:

a housing comprising a cover including a window proximate its top, and a base including a plurality of spaced seats, a groove adjacent the seats, a side cavity in communication with the external and both the groove and the seats, and a top hole in communication with the external and the cavity;

a tumbler wheel assembly seated on the seats and comprising a plurality of tumbler wheels, a plurality of hollow cylinders each fitted in the tumbler wheel, a spring-biased locking bar disposed axially in the cylinders and having an enlarged head;

a key turning mechanism disposed in the groove and comprising a keyhole and a rotatable shaft including a projection of half circular section protruded from an inner end thereof toward the cavity;

a spring-biased pivot assembly disposed in the cavity and being pivotal about the base, the pivot assembly comprising a latch extended from one end and including a locking dog at its open end, and an engagement member contacted the projection;

an arm-shaped push button disposed on the pivot assembly, both the push button and the pivot assembly being co-pivotal about the base, the push button comprising an inner nose urged against the head of the locking bar;

a U-shaped shackle comprising one spring-biased leg pivotably provided in the housing, and a slot at an end of the other leg with the locking dog fastened therein in a locked position of the lock;

a spring-biased L-shaped catch assembly comprising a sliding member at one end and a tab projected from the other end; and

a spring-biased opening warning assembly pivotably provided in the housing and comprising a locked mark at one end exposed at the window in the locked position of the lock, an open mark adjacent the locked mark, and a hook at the other end;

whereby;

inserting a key into the keyhole to clockwise turn the projection about 90 degrees will cause the projection to push the sliding member and move the tab toward a top of the housing, thereby clockwise pivoting the locked mark until the hook is stopped by the engagement member and the open mark is exposed at the window;

continuing to turn the projection will clockwise pivot the engagement member to cause the locking dog to clear the slot, thereby counterclockwise pivoting the other leg of the shackle out of the hole to open the lock;

inserting the other leg of the shackle into the first hole again and clockwise turning the projection by turning the key until the key has turned about 360 degrees will counterclockwise pivot the engagement member to maintain its contact with the projection and cause the locking dog to pivotably enter into the slot with the open mark remained exposing;

turning the tumbler wheels to a set series of numbers will unlock the locking bar and pressing the push button will move the locking bar inward with the pivot assembly pivoted clockwise, thereby causing the locking dog to clear the slot and counterclockwise pivoting the other leg of the shackle out of the hole to open the lock wherein the engagement member contacts the hook and pivots counterclockwise, the open mark is stopped by the key turning mechanism, the locked mark is exposed at the window, the tab disengages with the locked mark, and the sliding member slides toward the projection; and

releasing the push button will cause the locked mark to contact the tab and inserting the other leg of the shackle into the hole will lock the lock with the locked mark exposed at the window.