Padlock

• US 8,931,314 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chun Te Yu, Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Chun Te Yu, Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Company Limited
• Inventors: Yu, Chun Te
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US13/923,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20130276486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 70/21, 70/22, 70 24- 26, 702/84, 702/85, 70D/IG.63, 70D/IG.71, 70/30, 70/49, 70/38.R, 70/38.A, 70/38.B, 70/38.C, 70/29, 703/79.R, 703/79.A, 703/80, 70/52, 70 54- 56, 70D/IG.43, 70D/IG.56, D8330-336, D83/38, D83/39, D83/41
• 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 67/18 with devices for securing both ends of the shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/415 Combination and/or key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/424 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/459 Both legs engaged
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/461 Short leg engaged
• 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 70/7706 Operating connections

Abstract

A padlock can be unlocked by an owner dialing an unlocking number or security personnel using a general key. The padlock includes a housing, a block, a shackle, a general locking device and a private locking device. The housing includes a first channel and a second channel therein. The block is inserted in the second channel. The block includes a receptacle therein. The shackle includes a long arm movably disposed in the first channel and a short arm for engagement with the receptacle of the block. The general locking device is disposed in the housing for locking and unlocking the long arm of the shackle. The private locking mechanism is disposed in the housing for controlling the block so that the block can be engaged with and disengaged from the short arm of the shackle.

Claims

1. A padlock comprising:

a housing having a wall;

a block disposed on the housing and being movable with respect to the housing to either one of a first position and a second position;

wherein the block includes a receptacle in a top and a gap in a periphery and in communication with the receptacle;

when the block is located in the first position, the gap is facing directly at the wall of the housing; and

when the block is located in the second position, the gap is facing away from the wall of the housing; and

a shackle having a long arm partly disposed in the housing, and a short arm extending from the long arm and located outside the housing;

wherein the short arm is rotatable to or off a confining position about the long arm;

wherein the short arm of the shackle has a distal end, when the block is located in the first position and the short arm of the shackle is located in the confining position, the distal end of the short arm of the shackle is in the receptacle of the block and the gap of the block is blocked by the wall of the housing;

when the block is located in the second position, the gap of the block is no longer blocked by the wall of the housing, so that the distal end of the short arm of the shackle is allowed to access the receptacle of the block through the gap of the block.

2. A padlock comprising:

a body;

a shackle having a toe and a heel, the heel being retained by the body and able to rotate within the body;

a first and a second locking mechanism to lock the shackle, each of the locking mechanisms being enabled to independently unlock the shackle;

a retaining structure having a walled section and a non walled section, the retaining structure being movable between a first position and a second position by the first locking mechanism; and

wherein when the second locking mechanism is in a locked position, when the toe of the shackle is above a surface of the body and when the retaining structure is in the first position, a first part of a perimeter of the toe is surrounded by the walled section of the retaining structure and a second part of the perimeter of the toe is surrounded by the body; and

wherein when the second locking mechanism is in the locked position, and when the retaining structure is in the second position, the first part of the perimeter of the toe is not surrounded by the walled section and the toe is free to rotate about the heel.

3. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the body has a wall;

and the retaining structure has a receptacle in a top and a gap in a periphery and in communication with the receptacle;

when the retaining structure is located in the first position, the gap is facing directly at the wall of the body; and

when the retaining structure is located in the second position, the gap is facing away from the wall of the body.

4. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the shackle is u-shaped.

5. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the first locking mechanism is disposed for controlling a rotation of the retaining structure between the first position and the second position.

6. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the first locking mechanism can be opened with a tool.

7. The padlock of claim 6, wherein the tool is a key.

8. The padlock of claim 2, wherein the padlock is locked in the first position and unlocked in the second position.

9. The padlock of claim 2, wherein when the retaining structure is in the first position and the second locking mechanism is in the locked position the toe cannot be moved past the walled section.

10. The padlock of claim 2, wherein when the second locking mechanism is in an unlocked position, the toe is free from the body and the walled section so the shackle can rotate about the heel.

11. The padlock of claim 10, wherein the first locking mechanism can be opened with a tool.

12. The padlock of claim 11, wherein the tool is a key.