Padlock with indication device

• US 7,770,421 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo; Peter M
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, KRISTINA ROSE
• Application Number:
  US11/491,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20060254325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 70 20- 49, 704/32, 70439-441, 703/35, 70/16, 704/37, 70284-285, 704/35
• 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 37/14 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: E05B 67/24 with built- in cylinder locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators

Abstract

A padlock comprising a housing, a shackle, a lock mechanism and a movable block. The shackle is mounted on the housing and has a first end formed with a shaft portion movably mounted in the housing, and a second end formed with a locking portion moved with the shaft portion and extended outward from the housing. The lock mechanism is mounted on the housing, and includes a lock core and a limit knob. The lock core is mounted in the housing, and the limit knob is located outside the housing and movable by the lock core so as to engage or disengage with the locking portion of the shackle. The movable block is connected to the limit knob of the lock mechanism so that the movable block can be moved to an indication position by operating the lock core of the lock mechanism.

Claims

1. A padlock comprising:

a housing defining an opening in a wall thereof to communicate an interior space of the housing and the outside of the housing;

a shackle mounted on the housing and having a first end formed with a shaft portion movably mounted in the housing, and a second end formed with a locking portion moved with the shaft portion, extended from the shaft portion and located outside the housing;

a lock mechanism mounted on the housing and including;

a lock core positioned in the housing; and

a limit knob having a driving member and a button, the driving member being partly received in the housing via the opening and having one end connected with the button and the other end connected with the lock core, the button being positioned outside the housing, wherein the driving member is capable of being rotated by the lock core so as to drive the button to move to a first position where the locking portion of the shackle is confined in the button and a second position where the locking portion is released from the button; and

a movable block disposed on the driving member of the limit knob;

wherein the movable block moves along the driving member to a predetermined position outside of the housing when the limit knob is rotated by the lock core to have the button move from the first position to the second position; and

the movable block is kept at the predetermined position when the limit knob is again rotated by the lock core to have the button move from the second position back to the first position.

2. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the button of the limit knob defines a window and a chamber for receiving the movable block, and the movable block defines an identification area thereon which is visible from the window when the movable block is displaced to the indication predetermined position.

3. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the lock core of the lock mechanism comprises a body and a rotor received in the body, and wherein the rotor has one end defining a keyhole, and the other end defining a driving portion extending from the body and connecting with the driving member of the limit knob.

4. The padlock of claim 1, further comprising a number lock core positioned in the housing to control axial movement of the shaft portion of the shackle.

5. The padlock of claim 3, wherein the button of the limit knob defines a window and a chamber for receiving the movable block, and the movable block defines an identification area thereon which is visible from the window when the movable block is displaced to the predetermined position.

6. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the button of the limit knob is rotatable and defines a recess therein to receive the locking portion of the shackle in order to control rotation of the locking portion about the shaft portion of the shackle.

7. The padlock of claim 6, wherein the recess includes an open end at a periphery of the button.

8. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the button of the limit knob defines an aperture communicated with the chamber such that the movable block can be pushed back to an original position by an insert via the aperture;

and the aperture is hidden by the locking portion of the shackle when the button and the locking portion are coupled.

9. The padlock of claim 7, wherein the button of the limit knob defines a chamber therein to receive the movable block and an aperture in a surface thereof and in communication with the chamber such that the movable block can be pushed back to an original position by an insert via the aperture;

and the aperture is hidden by the locking portion of the shackle when the button and the locking portion are coupled.