Padlock

• US 7,571,627 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US11/777,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 70/21, 702/84, 702/85, 70/30, 70/49, 70/53, 70/20, 70/22, 70/25, 70/26, 70/31, 70 35- 37, 70/38.R, 70/38.A, 70/38.B, 70/38.C, 70/39, 70D/IG.63, 70D/IG.71
• US Class Current: 70/21
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/105 Locks allowing opening by official authorities, e.g. master key opening of luggage locks by customs officials
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/06 Shackles; Arrangement of the shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/413 Padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/422 Rigid shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/426 Removable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/435 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/491 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key

Abstract

A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, a first locking unit and a second locking unit. The lock body includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a first lock hole in communication with the first compartment and a second lock hole in communication with the second compartment. The first locking unit is movable in the first compartment between a locking position for locking a first end of the shackle in the first lock hole and an unlocking position for allowing the first end of the shackle to be removed from the first lock hole. The second locking unit is movable in the second compartment between a locking position for locking a second end of the shackle in the second lock hole and an unlocking position for allowing the second end of the shackle to be removed from the second lock hole.

Claims

1. A padlock comprising:

a lock body comprising a first lock hole and a second lock hole separate from the first lock hole;

a key-operable locking unit disposed in the lock body and configured to be operated by a key;

a combination locking unit disposed in the lock body and configured to be operated via a code; and

a shackle comprising a first end for insertion in the first lock hole and a second end for insertion in the second lock hole;

wherein the first end of the shackle is controlled by the key-operable locking unit to be locked in or released for withdrawal from the first lock hole of the lock body and is independent of the combination locking unit; and

the second end of the shackle is controlled by the combination locking unit to be locked in or released for withdrawal from the second lock hole of the lock body and is independent of the key-operable locking unit.

2. The padlock according to claim 1, wherein the shackle comprises a first insert formed at the first end thereof for insertion into the first lock hole and a second insert formed at the second end thereof for insertion into the second lock hole.

3. The padlock according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second inserts comprises a neck and a head formed on the neck, and the diameter of the neck is smaller than that of the head.

4. The padlock according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second lock holes comprises an aperture and a slot in communication with the aperture, the diameter of the aperture is larger than the width of the slot so that the head can be inserted through the aperture so that the neck can be moved into the slot, and the neck is locked in the slot by a related one of the locking units in the locking position.

5. The padlock according to claim 4 comprising a restraining block for restraining the head of an insert and therefore retaining the neck of the insert in the slot of a lock hole under the control of a locking unit.

6. The padlock according to claim 5, wherein the restraining block is a swinging restraining block comprising a longitudinal slot defined therein, and the lock body comprises a post inserted into the longitudinal slot so that the swinging restraining block is movable clockwise, counterclockwise, upwards and downwards relative to the post.

7. The padlock according to claim 6, wherein the combination locking unit comprising a numeral wheel set and a driving rod operatively connected to the numeral wheel set and formed with an end for engagement with an edge of the swinging restraining block.

8. The padlock according to claim 5 comprising a second restraining block for restraining the head of the other insert and therefore retaining the neck of the other insert in the slot of the other lock hole under the control of the other locking unit.

9. The padlock according to claim 8, wherein the second restraining block is a rotary restraining block located at an end of the other locking unit.