Dual-locking device

• US 7,523,628 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US11/806,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20080196459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 70/21, 70/22, 70/25, 70/26, 70/38.A, 70/38.C, 702/84, 702/85, 70432-441, 70D/IG.63, 70D/IG.71, 70/38.R, 70/38.B, 70/39, 70/49, 70/53, 703/60, 703/61, 703/87
• 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: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/463 Long leg engaged
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7576 Sliding and rotary plug

Abstract

A dual-locking device includes a housing, a shackle and a combination locking mechanism and a key-operated locking mechanism. The shackle is movably mounted on the housing. The shackle comprises a controlling portion, a hook portion, and a root portion. The controlling portion is located inside the housing. The hook portion extends outside the housing from one end of the controlling portion. The root portion extends inside the housing from the other end of the controlling portion. The combination locking mechanism is disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the controlling portion by entering a code. The key-operated locking mechanism is disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the root portion by a key.

Claims

1. A dual-locking device comprising:

a housing;

a shackle movably mounted on the housing and comprising a controlling portion disposed in the housing, a hook portion extending outside the housing from an end of the controlling portion, and a root portion extending inside the housing from another end of the controlling portion;

a combination locking mechanism disposed in the housing and including a plurality of inner wheels disposed about the controlling portion and a plurality of outer wheels disposed about the inner wheels respectively wherein the combination locking mechanism is capable of controlling movement of the controlling portion by entering a code; and

a key-operated locking mechanism disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the root portion by a key, wherein the key-operated locking mechanism connects with the root portion of the shackle and moves with the root portion in the same direction.

2. The dual-locking device of claim 1 wherein:

the housing defines a first chamber therein;

the root portion of the shackle has a block;

the key-operated locking mechanism comprises a cylinder coaxial with the root portion of the shackle;

the cylinder can move axially in the first chamber and includes at least one fastening portion and a cavity therein;

the cavity is provided for receiving the block of the root portion; and

the fastening portion can fasten the block, and the fastening portion can release the block when the cylinder is rotated by the key.

3. The dual-locking device of claim 2 wherein the cylinder further includes a supporting portion abutting against the inner wheels so as to limit movement of the cylinder.

4. The dual-locking device of claim 1 wherein:

the housing defines a first chamber therein;

the root portion of the shackle includes a block;

the key-operated locking mechanism comprises a cylinder and a locking member;

the cylinder is received in the first chamber;

the locking member is movably connected with the cylinder and includes a fastening portion and a supporting portion;

the fastening portion can limit movement of the block;

the supporting portion can abut against the inner wheels so as to limit movement of the locking member; and

the cylinder can be rotated by the key to release the block from the fastening portion.

5. The dual-locking device of claim 2 wherein:

the housing includes a notch defined in an inner wall of the first chamber;

the key-operated locking mechanism includes a plurality of latching pieces;

the cylinder defines a plurality of slots for receiving the latching pieces respectively;

each of the latching pieces has an end lodged in the notch and can move with the cylinder within the notch; and

when the key is inserted in the cylinder, the latching pieces depart from the notch to enable the cylinder to rotate.

6. The dual-locking device of claim 4 wherein:

the housing includes a notch defined in an inner wall of the first chamber;

the key-operated locking mechanism includes a plurality of latching pieces;

the cylinder defines a plurality of slots for receiving the latching pieces respectively;

each of the latching pieces has an end lodged in the notch and can move with the cylinder within the notch; and

when the key is inserted in the cylinder, the latching pieces depart from the notch to enable the cylinder to rotate.

7. The dual-locking device of claim 1 wherein:

the housing defines a plurality of chambers for correspondingly receiving the inner wheels;

the housing is formed with bulges on walls of the chambers corresponding to the inner wheels;

each of the inner wheels has a plurality of teeth at a periphery thereof and has at least one trench defined between two adjacent teeth;

the trench has a width same as the bulge;

each of the outer wheels defines a through hole therein for receiving a respective one of the inner wheels;

the through hole includes a plurality of recesses spaced at intervals in an inner wall of the through hole for receiving the teeth of the inner wheel;

when numbers of the outer wheels are arranged in a wrong combination, the trenches of the inner wheels and the bulges of the housing are staggered such that the inner wheels are not allowed to move axially within the chambers; and

when the numbers of the outer wheels are arranged in a right combination, the trenches of the inner wheels and the bulges of the housing are aligned such that the inner wheels are allowed to move axially within the chambers.

8. The dual-locking device of claim 2 wherein:

the housing defines a plurality of second chambers for correspondingly receiving the inner wheels;

the housing is formed with bulges on walls of the second chambers corresponding to the inner wheels;

each of the inner wheels has a plurality of teeth at a periphery thereof and has at least one trench defined between two adjacent teeth;

the trench has a width same as the bulge;

each of the outer wheels defines a through hole therein for receiving a respective one of the inner wheels;

the through hole includes a plurality of recesses spaced at intervals in an inner wall of the through hole for receiving the teeth of the inner wheel;

when numbers of the outer wheels are arranged in a wrong combination, the trenches of the inner wheels and the bulges of the housing are staggered such that the inner wheels are not allowed to move axially within the second chambers; and

when the numbers of the outer wheels are arranged in a right combination, the trenches of the inner wheels and the bulges of the housing are aligned such that the inner wheels are allowed to move axially within the second chambers.

9. The dual-locking device of claim 1 further comprising an identification member;

the housing defining a room, a window and an opening therein;

the room being defined in the housing;

the window and the opening being in communication with the room;

the identification member including a rod and a knob;

the rod being capable of rotating within the room;

the rod having at least one face visible through the window; and

the knob being connected with an end of the rod and exposed outside of the opening for driving the rod to rotate.

10. The dual-locking device of claim 9 further comprising a resilient member disposed in the housing;

and the resilient member abutting against a side of the rod to position the rod.

11. A dual-locking device comprising:

a housing defining a room, a window and an opening therein;

the room being defined in the housing;

the window and the opening being in communication with the room;

a shackle movably mounted on the housing and comprising a controlling portion disposed in the housing, a hook portion extending outside the housing from an end of the controlling portion, and a root portion extending inside the housing from another end of the controlling portion;

a combination locking mechanism disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the controlling portion by entering a code;

a key-operated locking mechanism disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the root portion by a key; and

an identification member including a rod and a knob;

the rod being capable of rotating within the room;

the rod having at least one face visible through the window; and

the knob being connected with an end of the rod and exposed outside of the opening for driving the rod to rotate.

12. The dual-locking device of claim 11 further comprising a resilient member disposed in the housing;

and the resilient member abutting against a side of the rod to position the rod.

13. A dual-locking device comprising:

a housing;

a shackle movably mounted on the housing and including a root portion extending inside the housing;

a key-operated locking mechanism disposed in the housing and capable of controlling movement of the root portion by a key, wherein the key-operated locking mechanism connects with the root portion and moves with the root portion in the same direction; and

a combination locking mechanism disposed in the housing, wherein the shackle further includes a controlling portion disposed in the housing and a hook portion extending outside the housing;

the controlling portion is connected at one end to the root portion and at the other end to the hook portion; and

the combination locking mechanism defines a channel for receiving the controlling portion and is capable of controlling movement of the controlling portion by entering a code.