Padlock

• US 8,720,236 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sinox Company Limited
• Inventors: Ling, Renny Tse-Haw, Wu, Chun-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett, Suzanne
• Application Number:
  US11/671,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,654 Days
• Field of Search: 702/84, 702/85, 70/38.A, 70/50, 70 52- 56, 70/21, 70 25- 30
• 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 70/491 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/493 Protectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key

Abstract

A multiple function lock, which has dual, independently operated, locking mechanisms. In one embodiment, the multiple function lock is further comprised of a combination locking mechanism and a keyed locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the multiple function lock is further comprised of a gate mechanism for selectively securing and releasing a shackle of the lock.

Claims

1. A multiple function lock comprising:

a body;

a U-shaped shackle having toe and heel portions, said heel portion rotatably secured within said body;

a combination locking mechanism for securing said heel portion, said combination locking mechanism having a locked position in which said heel portion is retained within said body but is free to rotate and an unlocked position in which said heel portion may be lifted from within said body;

a second locking mechanism comprising a keyed cylinder operationally engaged with a retaining cup, said keyed cylinder having a locked position in which said retaining cup retains said toe portion therein and an unlocked position in which said retaining cup does not retain said toe portion therein;

wherein said second locking mechanism protrudes from a top side of said body in said locked position of said second locking mechanism and a bottom side of said body in said unlocked position of said second locking mechanism.

2. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein the operation of the combination locking mechanism is independent of the operation of the second locking mechanism.

3. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said retaining cup comprises a recess for receiving said toe portion.

4. The multiple function lock of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member to bias the position of said retaining cup to a position protruding from the top side of said body.

5. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a disc tumbler cylinder.

6. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a pin tumbler cylinder.

7. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said retaining cup and keyed cylinder are integrally formed.

8. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said retaining cup and keyed cylinder are separate pieces.

9. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said keyed cylinder comprises an outwardly extending protrusion, and said body comprises a slot in which said protrusion moves when said keyed cylinder changes between the locked position and the unlocked position.

10. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said body comprises first and second casing members that mate to form said body.

11. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said heel portion can be independently released and moved relative to said body without unlocking both said first and second locking mechanisms.

12. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein said toe portion can be independently released and moved relative to said body without unlocking both said first and second locking mechanisms.

13. The multiple function lock of claim 1, wherein when said retaining cup is in said unlocked position, said toe portion of said shackle may rotate away from said body.

14. A multiple function lock comprising a body, a shackle having toe and heel portions, a first locking mechanism for securing said heel portion to said body and a separate independent second locking mechanism for securing said toe portion to said body, each of said first and second locking mechanisms being operable to be unlocked to unlock the lock by permitting the toe portion of the shackle to be unsecured and moved away from the body without unlocking the other of said first and second locking mechanisms, wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a stop member, said stop member having a plurality of upstanding blocks spaced apart to receive said toe portion therebetween, said retaining member being moveable between an unlocked position at which said toe portion is free to rotate about said heel portion and a locked portion at which at least one of said blocks restricts rotation of said toe portion.

15. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a keyed cylinder.

16. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein at least one of said locking mechanisms is a combination lock.

17. The multiple function lock of claim 15, wherein actuation of said keyed cylinder causes rotation of said second locking mechanism.

18. The multiple function lock of claim 14, wherein the plurality of upstanding blocks comprises two blocks.