Padlock with indication device

• US 8,256,250 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2010
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sosnowski, David E
• Application Number:
  US12/814,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20100242551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 70 20- 49, 704/32, 70439-441, 70/16, 704/37, 702/84, 702/85, 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 70/413 Padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/465 Pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8135 With register
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8162 Padlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8216 Tampering detector

Abstract

A padlock includes a housing, a shackle, a limit knob, a movable block and a lock core. The housing has an opening in a wall thereof. The shackle has a shaft portion movably mounted in the housing, and a locking portion extended from the shaft portion and located outside of the housing. The limit knob is partly received in the housing via the opening and has a button located outside of the housing. The movable block is disposed on the limit knob and capable of moving to a predetermined position which is outside of the housing. The lock core has a rotor configured to be driven by a key so as to move the limit knob to a first position where the button of the limit knob keeps the shackle from rotating and a second position where the button of the limit knob allows the shackle to rotate.

Claims

1. A padlock comprising:

a housing;

a shackle having a shaft portion movably mounted in the

housing, and a locking portion extended from the shaft portion and located outside of the housing;

a limit knob partly received in the housing and having a first position where the limit knob keeps the shackle from rotating and a second position where the limit knob allows the shackle to rotate, and the limit knob being movable between the first position and the second position;

a block movably located on the limit knob, the block being movable to a predetermined position which is outside of the housing.

2. 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.

3. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the limit knob further comprises a button located outside of the housing.

4. The padlock of claim 3, wherein the button of the limit knob defines a window and a chamber, and the block is received in the chamber, defines an identification area thereon, and is movable to the predetermined position to have the identification area exposed in the window of the limit knob.

5. The padlock of claim 4, wherein the button of the limit knob defines an aperture communicated with the chamber such that the block is able to be pushed back to an original position by an insert via the aperture;

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

6. The padlock of claim 3, wherein the button of the limit knob 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 of the button includes an open end at a periphery of the button.

8. The padlock of claim 3, wherein the block further has a protruding portion upward extending from the block;

and the button of the limit knob defines an aperture, and the aperture is capable of receiving a protruding shaft bolt inserted therein.

9. The padlock of claim 8, wherein the block further has a first portion downward extending from the block, and the first portion is movable within an opening of the housing.

10. The padlock of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the protruding portion are in a staggered arrangement.

11. The padlock of claim 3, wherein the block further has an arc-shaped guide side facing a portion of a surface of the limit knob.

12. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the block further has a first portion extending from the block and protruding inside of the housing.

13. The padlock of claim 12, wherein the block further has an arc-shaped guide side facing a portion of a surface of the limit knob.

14. The padlock of claims 1, wherein the block further has a protruding portion upward extending from the block, and a first portion downward extending from the block.

15. The padlock of claim 14, wherein the first portion and the protruding portion are in a staggered arrangement.

16. The padlock of claim 15, wherein the block further has an arc-shaped guide side facing a portion of a surface of the limit knob.

17. The padlock of claim 14, wherein the block further has an arc-shaped guide side facing a portion of a surface of the limit knob.

18. The padlock of claim 1, wherein the block further has an arc-shaped guide side facing a portion of a surface of the limit knob.

19. A padlock comprising:

a housing;

a shackle;

a limit knob having a button and a driving member, the button projecting outside of the housing and having a first position where the limit knob keeps the shackle from rotating and a second position where the limit knob allows the shackle to rotate, the driving member operationally engaged with the button;

a block movably located on the limit knob, and being movable to a predetermined position which is outside of the housing;

a key-operated lock core driving the driving member of the limit knob to enable the button move between the first position and the second position.