Combined padlock housing and acoustic notification device

• US 7,325,425 B1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph F. Miller
• Original Assignee: Joseph F. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Joseph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay; Jennifer H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, KRISTINA ROSE
• Application Number:
  US11/256,486
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 70/52, 70432-441, 70 20- 49, 70 54- 56, 70D/IG.49, 70D/IG.30, 340/542
• US Class Current: 70/52
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/12 by movement of the bolt E05B45/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/38 Auxiliary or protective devices weather protection E05B17/002; armoured cases E05B67/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/489 Housings

Abstract

The padlock housing assembly includes a padlock housing having monolithically formed walls for cradling an existing padlock therein. A top one of the walls is provided with an annular aperture for receiving a U-shaped shank of an existing padlock therethrough. The shank maintains a static relationship with the padlock housing when the shank is passed through the aperture and engaged with the existing padlock to a closed position. An audio mechanism is included for playing an audio file when the shank is biased to an open position and is housed within the cavity. At least one LED is also provided for emitting a predetermined luminescence when the shaft is biased to the open position. A trigger mechanism transmits a power input signal to the audio mechanism when the shank is biased to the open position. The triggering mechanism is operably engaged with the shank.

Claims

1. A padlock housing assembly for providing an audible warning signal when a padlock is biased to an open position, said padlock housing assembly comprising:

a padlock housing having a plurality of monolithically formed walls sized and shaped for defining a rectangular cavity for cradling an existing padlock therein, a top one of said walls being provided with an annular aperture for receiving a U-shaped shank of an existing padlock therethrough, front and rear ones of said walls being provided with substantially U-shaped openings equidistantly registered with a centrally aligned vertical axis passing through said padlock housing, another one of said walls being provided with a notch formed therein and situated subjacent said aperture such that the shank slidably adjoins said notch when interfitted through said aperture, said shank maintaining a static relationship with said padlock housing when said shank is passed through said aperture and engaged with the existing padlock to a closed position, said shank being exposed above said padlock housing during operating conditions;

audio means for playing an audio file when the shank is biased to an open position, said audio means being housed within said padlock housing in such a manner that the operator cannot tamper or alter said audio means without dismantling said padlock housing walls, said audio means housing a predetermined quantity of audio files; and

trigger means for selectively transmitting a power input signal to said audio means when said shank is biased to an open position, said trigger means cooperating with said audio means such that the audio file will be automatically discontinued when said shank is biased to the closed position;

wherein said trigger means generates and sends said power input signal to said audio means for instructing said audio means to generate and transmit an output signal associated with a predetermined one of said audio files;

wherein said trigger means comprises

an actuator arm offset from a vertical axis and disposed within said notch, said actuator arm having top and bottom ends directly abutted against top and bottom walls of said notch respectively,

a ball-bearing operably and directly engaged with said actuator arm wherein said ball bearing is intercalated between said actuator arm and a vertical travel path of the shank such that said ball bearing maintains continuous contact with the shank when the shank is funneled through said aperture and biased to the closed position,

a deformably resilient spring member having a longitudinal axis aligned orthogonal to the vertical axis wherein said spring member has opposed end portions conjoined to said actuator arm and laterally disposed away therefrom, said ball bearing being spaced from said spring member,

a plurality of electrically conductive contacts engageable with said actuator arm when the shank is removed from said aperture and thereby disengaged from said ball bearing, and

an internal power supply source having positive and negative terminals electrically mated directly to said audio means and electrically mateable directly with said contacts for closing a conductive path when the shank is removed from said aperture to thereby power said audio device;

wherein said audio means comprises

a signal interface circuit receiving said power input signal, said interface circuit being electrically and directly coupled to said trigger means;

an audio play-back device and a memory electrically coupled thereto, said audio play-back device being electrically and directly coupled to said signal interface circuit wherein said power input signal instructs said audio play-back device to access and play said one audio file; and

a speaker and an amplifier electrically and directly coupled thereto, said amplifier further being directly coupled to said audio play-back device, said amplifier receiving said output signal and increasing a voltage level associated with said output signal such that said one audio file can be played back at a sufficient volume for notifying the operator that the existing padlock is biased to the open position.

2. The padlock assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring member is compressible along a horizontal axis.

3. A padlock housing assembly for providing an audible warning signal when a padlock is biased to an open position, said padlock housing assembly comprising:

a padlock housing having a plurality of monolithically formed walls sized and shaped for defining a generally rectangular cavity for cradling an existing padlock therein, a top one said walls being provided with an annular aperture for receiving a U-shaped shank of an existing padlock therethrough, front and rear ones of said walls being provided with substantially U-shaped openings equidistantly registered with a centrally aligned vertical axis passing through said padlock housing, another one of said wall being provided with notch formed therein and situated subjacent said aperture such that the shank slidably adjoins said notch when interfitted through said aperture, said shank maintaining a static relationship with said padlock housing when said shank is passed through said aperture and engaged with the existing padlock to a closed position, said shank being exposed above said padlock housing during operating conditions, said padlock housing being formed from rigid and hardened material;

audio means for playing an audio file when the shank is biased to an open position, said audio means being housed within said padlock housing in such a manner that the operator cannot tamper or alter said audio means without dismantling said padlock housing walls, said audio means housing a predetermined quantity of audio files; and

trigger means for selectively transmitting a power input signal to said audio means when said shank is biased to an open position, said trigger means cooperating with said audio means such that the audio file will be automatically discontinued when said shank is biased to the closed position;

wherein said trigger means generates and sends said power input signal to said audio means for instructing said audio means to generate and transmit an output signal associated with a predetermined one of said audio files;

wherein said audio means comprises;

a signal interface circuit receiving said power input signal, said interface circuit being electrically and directly coupled to said trigger means;

an audio play-back device and a memory electrically coupled thereto, said audio play-back device being electrically and directly coupled to said signal interface circuit wherein said power input signal instructs said audio play-back device to access and play said one audio file; and

a speaker and an amplifier electrically and directly coupled thereto, said amplifier further being directly coupled to said audio play-back device, said amplifier receiving said output signal and increasing a voltage level associated with said output signal such that said one audio file can be played back at a sufficient volume for notifying the operator that the existing padlock is biased to the open position;

wherein said trigger means comprises

an actuator arm offset from a vertical axis and within said notch;

a ball-bearing operably and directly engaged with said actuator arm wherein said ball bearing is intercalated between said actuator arm and a vertical travel path of the shank such that said ball bearing maintains continuous contact with the shank when the shank is funneled through said aperture and biased to the closed position;

a deformably resilient spring member having a longitudinal axis aligned orthogonal to the vertical axis wherein said spring member has opposed end portions conjoined to said actuator arm and laterally disposed away therefrom;

a plurality of electrically conductive contacts engageable with said actuator arm when the shank is removed from said aperture and thereby disengaged from said ball bearing; and

an internal power supply source having positive and negative terminals electrically mated to said audio means and electrically mateable with said contacts for closing a conductive path when the shank is removed from said aperture to thereby power said audio device.

4. The padlock assembly of claim 3, wherein said spring member is compressible along a horizontal axis.