Padlock for ammunition cases and method of use

• US 9,963,911 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2017
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Downs
• Original Assignee: Edward Downs
• Inventors: Downs, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Alunkal, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US15/439,937
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/226 Displays on locks, e.g. LED or LCD screens on handles E05B1/0084; on keys E05B19/0088
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0096 Mechanical aspects of locks whose actuation is dependent on geographical location, e.g. by means of a GPS system
• 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 43/00 Time locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 43/005 Timer devices controlling electrically operated locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/03 Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 23/46 with provision for adjustment of the interval G04C23/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 3/08 Additional arrangements in connection with ordinary electric clocks for this purpose

Abstract

A padlock having a locking mechanism that can be unlocked using a thumbwheel, by a traveler, or by secured key, by a TSA or government agent. The Padlock has a timer that prevents the lock from unlocking for a set period of time. The padlock also has a switch that activates the activation of the timer. The activation of the timer activates the timer so that the lock cannot be unlocked until the following sequence is completed: first the padlock unlocking mechanism is activated by dialing the correct code on the thumbwheel of the padlock and thereby starting a set time period for the automatic release of the padlock and second by the lock automatically unlocking after the set period expiring. The padlock also has a bypass mechanism that bypasses the timer sequence and thereby unlocks the lock. The padlock may also have at least one light that notifies a handler of the padlock of the activation of the timer and/or the release of the padlock. The padlock may also have a stopwatch that displays the period of time left before the padlock is unlocked.

Claims

1. An improved padlock for ammunition cases, the padlock comprises:

a padlock having a thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism and an adjacent secured key unlocking mechanism, the secured key unlocking mechanism being a bypass of the thumbwheel locking mechanism;

a timer that is operatively connected to the thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism that prevents the unlocking of the padlock upon the thumbwheel unlocking mechanism being activated to unlock until a set time period has expired, the secured key unlocking mechanism is used to unlock the padlock after the thumbwheel unlocking mechanism is activated by the timer to lock the padlock and thereby works as a bypass to the thumbwheel unlocking mechanism;

a first switch and a first indicator light that are operatively connected to the thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism, the first switch, upon it being switched on, activates the first indicator light to indicate that the padlock is locked; and

a second switch and a second indicator light that are operatively connected to the thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism, the second switch, upon it being switched on after a thumbwheel code is dialed on the thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism, activates the second indicator light for a set period of time and activates the timer to unlock the padlock upon the set time period expiring.

2. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 1, the padlock comprises a GPS tracking device that prevents the set time from running until the padlock is out of a secured zone such as an airport or a port of entry.

3. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 1, wherein the bypass resets the timer.

4. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 1, wherein the first light indicator is red and will turn off upon the set time period expiring.

5. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 4, wherein the second light indicator will give a first signal that the timer has been activated and that will give a second signal upon the time period expiring.

6. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 5, wherein the first signal is a short flashing signal emanating from the second light indicator and the second signal will be the second light indicator remaining on for a set period of time.

7. The improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 6, wherein the second light indicator is a green light.

8. A method of using an improved padlock for ammunition cases, the method comprising:

Providing a padlock as described in claim 7;

Providing an ammunition case;

Locking the padlock on the ammunition case and switching on the first light indicator of the padlock at a first airport or a first port of entry;

Sending the ammunition case to a second airport or second port of entry;

Retrieving the ammunition case at the second airport or second port of entry;

Switching the second switch after dialing the thumbwheel code; and

Then, waiting for a set period of time to expire so that the padlock is unlocked.

9. A method of using an improved padlock for ammunition cases of claim 8, the method comprising bypassing the thumbwheel locking and unlocking mechanism using the secure key unlocking mechanism.