High security combination padlock and locking shackle with opening and reset plate mechanism

Abstract

A padlock (10) according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention incorporates an improved false door mechanism that provides nine false doors (82) and one true door (81). The padlock may contain a rotating thumb turn (60) for actuating the padlock to an unlocked mode. The rotating thumb turn further increases the difficulty of decoding and picking the padlock, as the unauthorized user must use rotating torque to pick the true door of the padlock. The padlock may also include a reset plate (110) that when the padlock is to be in the unlocked mode, the reset plate can be slid to allow the padlock to enter a reset mode in which the correct code combination of the padlock can be reset and / or re-set.

Description

Title of invention: High security combination padlock and locking shackle with opening and resetting plate mechanism

[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to padlocks, and more particularly to a combination warehouse padlock having a locking shackle with an opening and resetting plate mechanism, and an advanced anti-pick mechanism which is enclosed in a lock body / housing.

[0004] 2. Related technique

[0005] The lock described in U.S. Patent No. 6,883,355 has three extended fins on the clutches with three true doors in the lock body. However, the effectiveness of the lock is very limited from the lock picking point of view, since there is only a five in ten chance of locating the true opening position, which can be fairly easily determined and the lock opened. It is therefore desirable to develop a new false door mechanism to increase the difficulty for an unauthorized user to decode the correct code combination of the lock. Summary of the invention

[0006] A padlock according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention incorporates an improved false door mechanism that provides nine false doors and one true door. Such a feature causes an unauthorized user to receive audible "click" feedback for each digit, which may prevent the unauthorized user from determining the true door. This will make the combination mechanism of the padlock more difficult to decode and pick. The padlock may contain a rotating turn knob for actuating the padlock to an unlocked mode. The rotating turn knob further increases the difficulty of decoding and picking the padlock, as the unauthorized user must use rotating torque to pick the true door of the padlock.The padlock may also include a reset plate which, when the padlock is operated to the unlocked mode, the reset plate can be slid to allow the padlock to be operated into a reset mode in which the correct code combination of the padlock can be reset and / or re-set.

[0007] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, a padlock is provided which may include a lock body having a front body side and a rear body side configured to form an enclosure for at least a portion of the padlock, a shackle movable between a locked mode position and an unlocked mode position, and when the shackle is in the locked mode position, the padlock is in a locked mode and when the shackle is in the unlocked mode position, the padlock is in an unlocked mode, a combination mechanism that may include a clutch assembly, each clutch of the clutch assembly may include a plurality of false doors and at least one opening channel, the combination mechanism may also include a dial operatively connected to each clutch of the clutch assembly.

[0008] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the combination mechanism may include a pin having at least one projection for each clutch of the clutch assembly, the at least one opening channel of each clutch is configured to control movement of the pin allowing each projection of the pin to pass at least partially through the opening channel of the corresponding clutch to actuate the lock to the unlocked mode or to inhibit movement of at least one of the projection(s) by at least one of the false doors of a clutch corresponding to the at least one projection.

[0009] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the padlock may also include a bolt having one end configured to engage the shackle and the other end configured to engage the combination mechanism.

[0010] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the padlock combination mechanism may also include a rotary knob operatively coupled to the spindle and configured for rotational movement at least partially within the lock body of the padlock, and the rotary knob is further configured to permit movement of the shackle from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

[0011] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the turn knob may include one or more knob slopes and the spindle may include one or more spindle slopes configured to engage the knob slope(s) of the turn knob when the lock is in the locked mode, rotation of the turn knob is configured to disengage the knob slope(s) of the turn knob from the spindle slope(s) of the spindle and cause rectilinear movement of the spindle in a spindle direction substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the turn knob.

[0012] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, when the opening channel of each of the clutches is fully aligned with the corresponding projections of the pin, each projection of the pin is adapted to pass through the at least partially through the corresponding clutch opening channel in order to operate the padlock to the unlocked mode.

[0013] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, if at least one of the opening channels is not aligned with the corresponding projections of the spindle, then the rotary knob cannot cause rectilinear movement of the spindle in the spindle direction as a result of the interaction between the slopes of the rotary knob and the spindle.

[0014] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the turn knob may also include an opening slot configured to receive the other end of the bolt which is configured to engage the combination mechanism, when the other end of the bolt is received within the opening slot of the turn knob, the bolt end configured to engage the shackle is disengaged from a bolt cutout of the shackle, whereby the shackle may be moved rectilinearly from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

[0015] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the opening slot of the turn knob is formed in a locking surface of the knob, in the locked mode of the padlock, the locking surface is engaged with the other end of the bolt, and when the turn knob is turned, the opening slot is configured to engage the other end of the bolt so as to allow actuation of the padlock to the unlocked mode.

[0016] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the spindle may also include a spindle flat wall formed on one end of each of the spindle slopes, and the rotary knob may also include a rotary knob flat wall formed on one end of each of the knob slopes, whereby disengaging the one or more knob slopes of the rotary knob from the one or more spindle slopes of the spindle and causing the corresponding spindle flat walls to engage the rotary knob flat walls and move the spindle rectilinearly in the spindle direction.

[0017] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the lock may also include a reset button configured to control the lock from the unlocked mode to a reset mode, wherein the reset button may include at least one shank configured to engage a reset button fin slot of the lock body such that a user of the lock may have both hands free from depressing the reset button when the lock is in the reset mode.

[0018] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, when the lock is in the reset mode, the reset button is configured to be depressed and rotated so as to allow the at least one tail to engage in the reset button fin slot of the lock body, the depressing of the reset button is configured to cause each of the extended fins of each of the clutches to disengage from the teeth of the dials and engage each of the extended fins in a corresponding extended fin cutout in the lock body to prevent any rotational movement of the clutches.

[0019] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the padlock may also include a reset plate assembled to the lock body, the reset plate is configured to cover the reset button to prevent accidental changing of a correct code combination of the combination mechanism, and to prevent decoding of the padlock by depressing the reset button to attempt to decode the correct code combination.

[0020] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the padlock may also include a reset control bolt configured to engage the shackle when the shackle is in the locked mode position, and wherein the reset plate contains a reset bolt receiving cutout for receiving the reset control bolt to control movement of the reset plate.

[0021] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, when the shackle is in the locked mode position, a shackle edge of the reset control bolt is configured to contact the shackle, and the reset control bolt is configured to engage the reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate to prevent the reset plate from being moved to expose the reset button.

[0022] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, when the shackle is in the unlocked mode position, a shackle edge of the reset control bolt is configured to move in a direction toward the shackle when the reset plate is moved to expose the reset button, and a rounded edge of the reset control bolt is configured to be disengaged from the reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate when the reset plate is moved to expose the reset button.

[0023] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the reset plate can only be moved when the padlock is in the unlocked mode and the shackle is in the unlocked mode position, the reset control bolt is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to the movement of the shackle from the locked mode position to the mode position unlocked, and the reset plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the shackle from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

[0024] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, after resetting a correct code combination of the combination mechanism of the padlock, the reset button is released, then the user can slide the reset plate from a reset state back to a locked state, then a reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate aligns again with a rounded edge of a reset control bolt, the reset control bolt has a spring that urges the rounded edge toward the reset bolt receiving cutout, when the shackle is actuated from the unlocked mode position to the locked mode position,a tail of the shackle is adapted to contact a shackle edge of the reset control bolt to cause the rounded edge of the reset control bolt to engage the reset bolt receiving cutout.

[0025] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, when the lock is in the reset mode, after resetting and / or resetting the correct code combination, the user can turn the reset button in the opposite direction of rotation to let the tail of the reset button disengage from the reset button fin slot of the lock body and a spindle spring will force the clutches and the reset button back from a reset mode position to an unlocked mode position, and the new correct code combination has been set when the reset plate is in the unlocked mode position and the shackle is in the unlocked mode position.

[0026] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the padlock may be operated from the unlocked mode to the reset mode when the bolt is engaged in the opening slot of the turn knob to allow the shackle to be in the unlocked mode position, thereby allowing a reset control bolt to move straight and a reset plate to slide open to expose a reset button.

[0027] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the rotary knob may also include an anti-drill peg hole configured to receive an anti-drill peg, and the anti-drill peg is configured to resist drilling of the rotary knob from the outside.

[0028] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the rotary knob may also include a thinner diameter weakening point such that a force applied to the rotary knob in the locked mode will cause the thinner diameter weakening point to break, thus protecting the pin from forced rotation and actuation of the padlock to the unlocked mode.

[0029] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the turn knob may also include a reinforcement pin hole for receiving a reinforcement pin, the hardened reinforcement pin will contact the bolt to improve the contact strength between the bolt and the reinforcement pin.

[0030] According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, this padlock may also include a protective cover formed from a hardened steel material designed to resist a sawing attack, the protective cover at least partially surrounding the front body side and the rear body side of the padlock.

[0031] The reference numbers and corresponding elements are summarized below: 10 padlocks 20 front body side 21 cove hole 22 handle catchers 23 bolt hole 24 bolt receiving hole 25 pin hole 26 clutch hole 27 extended fin cutout 28 dial hole 70 pin 71 slopes 72 flat wall 73 projection 80 clutch 81 opening channel 82 false doors 83 extended fin 90 dial 91 teeth 29 reset bolt fin slot 20a reset plate slot 20b recoding bolt cutout 30 rear body side 31 cove hole 32 handle catchers 33 bolt hole 34 bolt receiving hole 35 spindle hole 36 clutch hole 37 extended fin cutout 38 dial hole 39 reset bolt fin slot 30a reset plate slot 30b recoding control bolt cutout 40 handle 41 grip zone 42 long cut 43 bolt cutout 44 tail 50 bolts 51 cove side 52 button side 60 rotary knob 92 ratchet feel cutout 100 reset button 101 tails 102 slot 103 spindle receiving cutout 110 reset plate 111 slide button 112 edges 113 reset bolt receiving cutout 120 reset control bolt 121 rounded edge 122 cove edge 130 spindle spring 140 reset control bolt spring 150 separation ring 160 ratchet plate 170 cover. 180 reinforcement dowel 190 anti-drill anchor 260 rotary knob 261 grip area 262 opening slot 263 slopes 264 flat wall 265 upper bolt diameter 61 grip zone 62 opening slot 63 slopes 64 flat wall 65 upper bolt diameter 266 locking surface 267 anti-drill dowel hole 268 thinner diameter weakening point 269 ​​reinforcement dowel hole 66 locking surface Brief description of the drawings

[0032] For a better understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig.1A] is a partial cross-sectional front view of an exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the invention in a locked mode with an exemplary front body side removed;

[0034] [Fig.lB] is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the exemplary lock with one exemplary rear body side removed;

[0035] [Fig.2] is a rear perspective view of the exemplary front body side designed for use with the exemplary lock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig. 3] is a rear perspective view of the exemplary rear body side designed for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an exemplary shackle designed for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0038] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an exemplary bolt adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0039] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of an exemplary turn knob adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an exemplary pin adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of an exemplary clutch adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0042] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of an exemplary dial adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0043] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of an exemplary reset button adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0044] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of an exemplary reset plate adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0045] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of an exemplary reset control bolt adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0046] [Fig.13A] is a partial cross-sectional front view of an exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the invention in an unlocked mode with an exemplary front body side removed;

[0047] [Fig.l3B] is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the exemplary lock with one exemplary rear body side removed;

[0048] [Fig.14A] is a partial cross-sectional front view of an exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the invention in a reset mode with an exemplary front body side removed;

[0049] [Fig.l4B] is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the exemplary lock with one exemplary rear body side removed;

[0050] [Fig.15A] is a partial cross-sectional front view of another exemplary embodiment of a padlock according to one aspect of the invention in a locked mode with an exemplary front body side removed;

[0051] [Fig.l5B] is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the exemplary lock with one exemplary rear body side removed; and

[0052] [Fig. 16] is a perspective view of another exemplary turn knob adapted for use with the exemplary padlock according to one aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the document.

[0054] Referring now to [Figs. 1A] to 1B and 2 to 12, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a padlock, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, according to one aspect of the present invention. The padlock 10 may be a combination warehouse padlock, and may be comprised of a front body side 20 and a rear body side 30 coupled together to form a lock body configured to at least partially enclose and / or accommodate the components of the padlock 10. The padlock 10 may also include a shackle 40 movable between a position in which the padlock 10 is in a locked mode and a position in which the padlock 10 is in an unlocked mode. The lock body of the padlock 10 formed by the front body side 20 and the rear body side 30 may have a substantially U-shape, and The shackle 40 may be configured to enclose the U-shape when the padlock 10 is in the locked mode, and configured to allow opening of the U-shape when the padlock 10 is in the unlocked mode. The padlock 10 may also include a bolt 50 configured to control movement of the shackle 40, and a rotary knob 60 operatively engaged with the bolt 50 and configured to control movement of the bolt 50. The padlock 10 may also include a combination mechanism comprised of a pin 70, at least one clutch 80, and at least one dial 90. The rotary knob 60 may also be a component of the combination mechanism. The combination mechanism is configured to allow actuation of the padlock 10 to the unlocked mode when a correct code combination has been selected on the combination mechanism.The padlock 10 may also include a reset button 100 configured to allow actuation of the padlock 10 to a reset mode when the padlock 10 has been actuated into the unlocked mode to allow resetting and / or resetting of the correct code combination.

[0055] Referring more specifically to [Fig. 2] and 3, the front body side 20 may have a handle hole 21 formed therein, through which the handle 40 may slidably engage. The front body side 20 may also include a shackle catcher 22 extending into the shackle hole 21 and configured to facilitate retention of the shackle 40 within the padlock 10. The front body side 20 may also include a bolt hole 23 at least partially intersecting the shackle hole 21 and configured to receive the bolt 50. The front body side 20 may also include a knob receiving hole 24 configured to at least partially receive the rotary knob 60 and intersecting the bolt hole 23, and a pin hole 25 extending from the knob receiving hole 24. The pin hole 25 is configured to at least partially receive the pin 70.The front body side 20 may also have one or more clutch holes 26, each clutch hole 26 may have an extended fin cutout 27 formed adjacent thereto, and each of the clutch holes 26 may have a dial hole 28 positioned on one or both sides of the clutch hole 26. The front body side 20 may also have a reset button adjustment slot 29, a reset plate slot 20a, and a recode bolt cutout 20b. The rear body side 30 may include a shackle hole 31 adapted to at least partially receive the shackle 40, and positioned complementary to the shackle hole 21 so as to form a bore for the shackle 40 in the padlock 10 when the rear body side 30 is mated with the front body side 20. The rear body side 30 may also include a shackle catcher 32 extending into the shackle hole 31.The rear body side 30 may also include a bolt hole 33 designed to receive at least one bolt. at least partially the bolt 50, and positioned complementary to the bolt hole 23 so as to form a bore for the bolt 50 in the padlock 10 when the rear body side 30 is mated with the front body side 20. The rear body side 30 may also have a knob receiving hole 34 adapted to at least partially receive the rotary knob 60, and positioned complementary to the knob receiving hole 24 so as to form a cavity for the rotary knob 60 in the padlock 10 when the rear body side 30 is mated with the front body side 20. The rear body side 30 may also have a spindle hole 35, at least one clutch hole 36, an extended fin cutout 37 positioned adjacent each clutch hole 36 and a dial hole 38 positioned on one or both sides of each hole clutch 36.These are positioned to complement corresponding holes in the front body side 20. The rear body side 30 may also have a reset button adjustment slot 39, a reset plate slot 30a, and a recode bolt cutout 30b.

[0056] Referring again to [Figs. 1A] to 1B and 2 to 12, the shackle 40 of the padlock 10 may include a gripping area 41, which may be formed of a knurled or other textured surface. The shackle 40 may also include a long cutout 42 adapted to engage the shackle catcher 22 / 32 so that the shackle 40 is retained in the padlock 10 when the padlock 10 has been actuated to the unlocked mode. The shackle 40 may also include a bolt cutout 43 formed therein and adapted to receive the bolt 50 when the padlock 10 is in the locked mode. The bolt 50 inhibits and / or prevents movement of the shackle 40 when engaged with the bolt cutout 43. The shackle 40 may also include a shank 44 adapted to engage a reset control bolt 120.The bolt 50, which may have a substantially tubular shape, may have a shackle side 51 configured to engage the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40, and a knob side 52 configured to engage the turn knob 60. The turn knob 60 may have a gripping area 61, which is a surface that a user of the padlock 10 can hold to transfer rotational motion to the turn knob 60. The turn knob 60 may also have an opening slot 62 formed in a locking surface 66. The opening slot 62 is configured to receive the knob side 52 of the bolt 50 when the padlock 10 is in the unlocked mode. The locking surface 66 of the rotary knob 60 limits the movement of the bolt 50 so that the shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 can be retained in the bolt cutout 43 when the padlock 10 is in the locked mode.The rotary knob 60 may also include one or more slopes 63 and a flat wall 64 extending from the end of each of the slopes 63. The rotary knob . 60 may also include one or more larger knob diameters 65 to facilitate retention of the turn knob 60 in the padlock 10. The pin 70 of the padlock 10 may include one or more slopes 71 adapted to operatively engage the slopes 63 of the turn knob 60. In the locked mode, the slopes 71 of the pin 70 prevent the turn knob 60 from rotating as a result of engagement between the slopes 71 of the pin 70 and the slopes 63 of the turn knob 60. The pin 70 may also include one or more flat walls 72 adapted to engage the flat walls 64 of the turn knob 60. The pin 70 may further include one or more projections 73 for each of the one or more clutches 80 present in the padlock 10.Each of the protrusion(s) 73 is sized to pass through an opening channel 81 of each clutch 80, and configured to at least partially engage the false door(s) 82 of each clutch 80 to provide a false indication as to the correct code combination if the padlock 10 is tampered with by an unauthorized user. Each of the clutches 80 may also have an extended fin 83 configured to engage the tooth(s) 91 of a corresponding dial 90. Each of the dials 90 has one or more indicia, which may be in the form of numbers, symbols, letters, colors, or the like, corresponding to each tooth of the teeth 91. For example, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, ten indicia in the form of numbers from 0 to 9 are illustrated, and each of the dials 90 has ten teeth 91.A ratchet plate 160 may be positioned in the padlock 10 to provide an indication when a distinct indicia of the combination mechanism has been selected, as the ratchet plate 160 engages ratchet feel cutouts 92 on the dials 90 positioned between each indicia. The reset button 100 of the padlock 10 may have one or more tails 101 extending therefrom, and a slot 102 formed therein. The reset button 100 may also have a pin receiving cutout 103 adapted to receive one end of the pin 70.

[0057] Still referring to [Fig. 1A] to 1B and 2 to 12, the padlock 10 may also include a reset plate 110 having a slide knob 111, a pair of edges 112, and a reset bolt receiving cutout 113 formed therein. The reset control bolt 120 of the padlock 10 may include a rounded edge 121 and a shackle edge 122. The padlock 10 may also include a pin spring 130 configured to urge the pin 70 into engagement with the rotary knob 60. The padlock 10 may also include a reset control bolt spring 140, and a separator ring 150 positioned between the pin spring 130 and the clutch(es) 80.

[0058] Referring now to [Fig. 15A] to 15B and 16, an alternative embodiment of the padlock 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. Unless otherwise indicated, the components of the alternative embodiment of the padlock 10 are the same as those mentioned with respect to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1A] to 1B, 2 to 5 and 7 to 12. The padlock 10 may include a cover 170 constructed from a hardened material, such as hardened steel, to provide resistance to sawing of the padlock 10. The padlock 10 may also include a turn knob 260 having a gripping area 261, an opening slot 262, one or more slopes 263, one or more flat walls 264, one or more knob top diameters 265 and a locking surface 266, all similar in construction and function to the corresponding components of the turn knob 60 ([Fig. 6]) mentioned above.The turn knob 260 may also have an anti-drill pin hole 267 formed in the grip area 261 to receive an anti-drill pin 190. The turn knob 260 may also have a thinner diameter weakening point 268 providing a weak point in the turn knob 260 such that if an attempt is made to unlock the padlock 10 by applying force to the turn knob 260, the turn knob 260 will break. The turn knob 260 may also have a reinforcing pin hole 269 formed in the locking surface 266 and adapted to receive a reinforcing pin 180.

[0059] Referring now to [Fig. 1A] to 1B and 2 to 12, the locked mode of the padlock 10 will now be mentioned. The movement of the shackle 40 and the actuation of the padlock 10 between the locked mode and the unlocked mode are controlled by the combination mechanism. When the correct code combination has been entered on all of the dial(s) 90, the padlock 10 can be operated from the locked mode to the unlocked mode, and the shackle 40 can move rectilinearly in the lock body of the padlock 10 formed by the front body side 20 and the rear body side 30. When the padlock 10 is in the locked mode, the shackle 40 has no rectilinear movement and remains in the shackle hole 21 / 31 of the front body side 20 and the rear body side 30, because the dials 90 are not in the correct code combination. The shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 engages in the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40 and prevents the movement of the shackle 40.The bolt 50 cannot move away from the bolt cutout 43 because the knob side 52 of the bolt 50 is also in contact with the locking surface 66 of the turn knob 60. The slope(s) 63 of the turn knob 60 are engaged with the slope(s) 71 of the spindle 70, thereby preventing rotation of the turn knob 60. In the locked mode of the padlock 10, the projection(s) 73 of the spindle 70 are not aligned with all of the corresponding opening channel(s) 81 of the clutches 80, and the user cannot turn the knob. rotating 60 to separate the slopes 63 of the rotating knob 60 from the slopes 71 of the spindle 70 because the clutch(es) 80 block the movement of the spindle 70 as a result of the engagement between the clutch(es) 80 and the projection(s) 73 of the spindle 70. As the spindle 70 remains in the locked mode position, the rotation of the rotating knob 60 is restricted and the knob side 52 of the bolt 50 remains in contact with the locking surface 66 of the rotating knob 60. Each of the clutches 80 contains one or more false doors 82 to improve the time required to decode / pick the padlock 10. The extended fin 83 of each clutch 80 is in contact with the teeth 91 of the corresponding dial 90, so that rotation of one of the dials 90 directly causes rotation of the corresponding clutch 80 in the same way manner.The padlock 10 can be operated to the unlocked mode if all of the opening channels 81 of the clutches 80 align with the corresponding projections 73 of the spindle 70, and rotation of the turn knob 60 will cause the slopes 63 to disengage from the slopes 71 of the spindle 70 and the flat walls 64 of the turn knob 60 to contact the flat walls 72 of the spindle 70, thereby providing rotational separation between the spindle 70 and the turn knob 60 and allowing the projections 73 of the spindle 70 to move through the opening channels 81 of each of the clutches 80. This rotational separation between the turn knob 60 and the spindle 70 allows the turn knob 60 to continue its rotation until the opening slot 62 aligns with the knob side 52 of the bolt 50. The bolt 50 can then fall into the opening slot 62 and the shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 will come out of the bolt cutout 43, and there is nothing blocking the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40.The user can then pull on the gripping area 41 of the shackle 40 to pull the shackle 40 outward until the long cutout 42 of the shackle 40 contacts the shackle catcher 22 / 32 on the front body side 20 and the rear body side 30. The bolt 50 can be positioned in the bolt hole 23 / 33 of the lock body 20 / 30. The knob receiving hole 24 / 34 of the lock body 20 / 30 is designed to allow the knob top diameter 65 to assemble in the knob receiving hole 24 / 34 such that the turning knob 60 does not detach from the lock body 20 / 30 once it is assembled. The pin hole 25 / 35 of the lock body allows the pin 70 to move therethrough when the pin 70 is allowed to have a straight line of travel within the lock body.The clutch hole 26 / 36 of the lock body allows the clutch 80 to move therethrough when movement of the clutch 80 is permitted, for example during the reset mode. The extended fin cutout 27 / 37 of the lock body 20 / 30 allows the extended fin 83 of the clutch 80 to be engaged in this cutout 27 / 37 to allow the padlock 10 to be operated in the reset mode by allowing the dials 90 to rotate without causing rotational movement. corresponding clutches 80 in the reset mode. The dial hole 28 / 38 is designed to allow the dials 90 to pass therethrough. The reset button fin slot 29 / 39 of the lock body 20 / 30 is for the reset mode, where the reset button 100 is pushed inward and the tails 101 of the reset button are engaged in such a slot 29 / 39, allowing the user to have both hands free without having to continue to push the reset button 100 to reset the padlock 10. The reset plate slot 20a / 30a is for receiving the reset plate 110 to allow the user to slide the reset plate 110 to allow the user to contact the reset button 100.The recoding bolt cutout 20b / 30b allows the reset control bolt 120 to be assembled to control the movement of the reset plate 110. The ratchet plate 160 contacts the ratchet feel cutout 92 of each of the dials 90 so that the ratchet feel is felt with each rotation of the dials 90 between the ratchet feel cutouts 92. A separator ring 150 is assembled between the clutch 80 and the spindle spring 130 and the spindle 70. The separator ring 150 serves to prevent rotation of the clutches 80 from causing rotation of the spindle spring 130 to prevent any torque from being applied to the spring 130.

[0060] Referring now to [Fig.l3A] to 13B, the actuation of the padlock 10 to the unlocked mode by the combination mechanism will now be mentioned. As mentioned above, rotation of each of the dials 90 causes rotation of the clutch 80 corresponding to the rotary dial 90 in the same manner. The padlock 10 can be operated to the unlocked mode when all of the opening channels 81 of the clutches 80 are aligned with the projections 73 of the spindle 70, such that rotation of the turn knob 60 will cause the slopes 63 to disengage from the slopes 71 of the spindle 70, and the flat walls 64 of the turn knob 60 to contact the flat walls 72 of the spindle 70, which causes the projections 73 of the spindle 70 to pass through the opening channel 81 of the clutch 80 to allow the turn knob 60 to continue its rotation until the opening slot 62 aligns with the knob side 52 of the bolt 50.The flat wall 72 of the spindle 70 contacts the flat wall 64 of the turn knob 60, such that the turn knob 60 can be retained in this position and will not rotate to the locked mode position after the spindle 70 has been rotated away from the turn knob 60. The bolt 50 then drops downward into the opening slot 62, and the shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 moves downward, with nothing blocking the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40. The user can then pull on the grip area 41 of the shackle 40 to pull the shackle 40 outward until the long cutout 42 of the shackle 40 enters. in contact with the shackle catcher 22 / 32 of the body 20 / 30. The long cutout 42 of the shackle is not deep enough for the bolt 50 to move from the unlocked mode position to the locked mode position. This will jam the turning knob 60 to prevent the knob 60 from rotating back to the locked position. To relock the padlock 10 and return the padlock 10 to the locked mode, the user can push the shackle 40 back into the locked mode position such that the bolt cutout 43 aligns with the bolt 50. By aligning, the shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 will be able to engage in the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40.The user can turn the turn knob 60 such that the bolt 50 slides out of the opening slot 62 and pushes the knob side 52 of the bolt 50 away from the opening slot 62, so that the knob side 52 of the bolt 50 contacts the locking surface 66 of the turn knob 60 and the shackle side 51 of the bolt 50 is fully engaged again in the bolt cutout 43 of the shackle 40.

[0061] Referring now to [Fig. 14A] to 14B, the reset mode of the padlock 10 will now be mentioned. In the reset mode, the user must operate the padlock 10 to the unlocked mode via the combination mechanism as described above. Once the padlock 10 is in the unlocked mode, the shackle 40 is pulled toward the unlocked mode position, and the tail 44 of the shackle 40 no longer contacts the shackle edge 122 of the reset control bolt 120. The user can then pull the slide button 111 to slide the reset plate 110 upward, such that the rounded edge 121 of the reset control bolt 120 moves away from the reset bolt receiving cutout 113 of the reset plate 110.The reset plate contains edges 112 that are assembled to the reset plate slot 20a / 30a of the lock body 20 / 30 such that the reset plate 110 can only slide up / down without moving in any other direction. When the reset plate 110 is pushed up, the reset button 100 is now exposed and allows the user to push the reset button 100 inward for the reset mode. When the user pushes the reset button 100 inward, the tails 101 align with the reset button fin slot 29 / 39 of the lock body 20 / 30.The user can then turn the reset button 100 such that the tail 101 engages in the reset button fin slot 29 / 39, thereby pushing the reset button 100 to the right, toward pin 70. The reset button 100 remains in the reset mode and allows the user to have both hands free to turn the dials 90 to reset and / or redesign the correct code combination. When the reset button . 100 is pushed to the right, the clutches 80 are also pushed to the right and the extended fin 83 of the clutch 80 engages in the extended fin cutout 27 / 37 of the lock body 20 / 30. The projection 73 of the pin 70 is located in the opening channel 81 of the clutch 80 and, in such an engaged position, the extended fin 83 of the clutch 80 is disengaged from the teeth 91 of the dials 90. The user turns the dials 90 to set a new correct code combination. Rotation of the dials 90 does not cause rotation of the clutch 80 in the reset mode.Once the setting is done, the user can turn the reset button 100 in the opposite direction of rotation, so that the tails 101 disengage from the reset button fin slot 29 / 39, the spindle spring 130 pushes the separation ring 150 and the clutches 80 to the left so that the extended fin 83 moves away from the extended fin cutout 27 / 37. The extended fin 83 engages again in the teeth 91 of the dials 90. The spindle spring 130 pushes the clutch 80 and the reset button 100 to the left again towards the original position.

[0062] The user can then slide the reset plate 110 downward to cover the reset button 100 to prevent the user from accidentally changing the correct code combination. The reset bolt receiving cutout 113 aligns with the rounded edge 121 of the reset control bolt 120 and the reset control bolt spring 140 exerts a force to urge the rounded edge 121 of the reset control bolt 120 to engage the reset bolt receiving cutout 113 of the reset plate 110. The bail edge 122 of the reset control bolt 120 is now hidden and the bail 40 can return to the locked mode position because the bail edge 122 does not block the return of the bail 40 to the locked mode position.In the reset mode, when the reset plate 110 has been slid upward, the bail edge 122 of the reset control bolt 120 is extended to the right such that if the user pushes the bail 40 back toward the locked mode position, the tail 44 of the bail 40 will contact the bail edge 122 of the reset control bolt 120, which will prevent the bail 40 from fully locking and will alert the user that the reset plate 110 is still in the reset position and that the user should push the reset plate 110 back down such that the bail edge 122 no longer contacts the tail 44 of the bail 40, which will allow the bail 40 to fully lock.

[0063] Referring now to [Fig. 15A] to 15B and 16, an alternative embodiment of the padlock 10 according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. The padlock 10 may include the cover 170 assembled to the padlock 10 and formed of steel hardened to provide better weather protection and better protection and / or resistance to sawing attack. The cover 170 may be added to the padlock 10 regardless of whether the padlock 10 also includes the alternative embodiment of the turn knob 260. The turn knob 260 has substantially the same function and construction as the turn knob 60, but may also include the anti-drill pin hole 267 which allows the anti-drill pin 190 to be assembled into the turn knob 206 to prevent and / or inhibit an intruder from drilling into the turn knob 260 from the outside. The rotary knob 260 also includes the thinner diameter weakening point 268 such that upon force rotating the rotary knob 260 into the locked mode, this weakening point 268 breaks internally and protects the spindle 70 from being forcibly rotated and opening the padlock 10.The rotary knob 260 may also have the reinforcement pin hole 269 which is used to assemble the reinforcement pin 180 and this hardened reinforcement pin 180 contacts the bolt 50 to improve the contact strength between the bolt 50 and the pin 180.

[0064] It thus appears that the above stated objectives, among those apparent from the foregoing description, are effectively achieved and, given that certain modifications may be made to the above article without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that everything contained in this description or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as being illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is understood that all figures present, and the accompanying narrative discussions of corresponding embodiments, do not purport to be completely rigorous treatments of the invention considered. It is to be understood that the arrangements described above are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention.Numerous modifications and variations of arrangements may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. 1 A padlock (10) comprising: a lock body having a front body side (20) and a rear body side (30) configured to form an enclosure for at least a portion of the padlock (10); a shackle (40) movable between a locked mode position and an unlocked mode position, wherein when the shackle (40) is in the locked mode position the padlock (10) is in a locked mode, and wherein when the shackle (40) is in the unlocked mode position the padlock (10) is in an unlocked mode; a combination mechanism comprising a clutch assembly (80) wherein each clutch of the clutch assembly comprises a plurality of false doors (82) and at least one opening channel (81); wherein the combination mechanism further comprises a dial (90) operatively connected to each clutch of the clutch assembly (80);wherein the combination mechanism further comprises a pin (70) having at least one projection (73) for each clutch of the clutch assembly (80), wherein the at least one opening channel (81) of each clutch is adapted to control movement of the pin (70) allowing each projection (73) of the pin to pass at least partially through the opening channel (81) of the corresponding clutch to actuate the padlock (10) to the unlocked mode or inhibit movement of at least one of the at least one projection (73) by at least one of the false doors (82) of a clutch corresponding to the at least one projection; a bolt (50) having one end adapted to engage in the shackle (43) and the other end adapted to engage with the combination mechanism.;

2. 2 A padlock (10) according to claim 1, wherein the padlock combination mechanism further comprises a rotary knob (60) operatively coupled to the spindle (70) and adapted for rotational movement at least partially within the lock body of the padlock (10), and wherein the rotary knob (60) is further designed to allow movement of the shackle (43) from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

3. 3 A padlock (10) according to claim 2, wherein the rotary knob (60) comprises one or more knob slopes (63) and the pin (70) comprises one or more pin slopes (71) adapted to engage the one or more knob slopes of the rotary knob when the padlock is in the locked mode, wherein rotation of the rotary knob is adapted to disengage the one or more knob slopes of the rotary knob from the one or more pin slopes of the pin and cause rectilinear movement of the pin in a pin direction substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotary knob.

4. 4 A padlock (10) according to claim 3, wherein when the opening channel (81) of each of the clutches is fully aligned with the corresponding projections (73) of the pin (70) each projection of the pin is adapted to pass at least partially through the opening channel of the corresponding clutch to actuate the padlock to the unlocked mode.

5. 5 A padlock (10) according to claim 3, wherein if at least one of the opening channels (81) is not aligned with the corresponding projections (73) of the pin, then the rotary knob (60) cannot cause rectilinear movement of the pin (70) in the direction of the pin as a result of the interaction between the slopes of the rotary knob and the pin.

6. 6 A padlock (10) according to claim 3, wherein the turn knob (60) further comprises an opening slot (62) adapted to receive the other end of the bolt (52) which is adapted to engage the combination mechanism, wherein when the other end of the bolt is received within the opening slot of the turn knob the bolt end adapted to engage in the shackle (40) is disengaged from a bolt cutout (43) of the shackle, whereby the shackle can be moved rectilinearly from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

7. 7 A padlock (10) according to claim 6, wherein the opening slot (62) of the rotary knob (60) is formed in a locking surface (66) of the knob, wherein in the locked mode of the padlock the locking surface is engaged with the other end of the bolt, and wherein when the rotary knob is turned the opening slot is designed to engage the other end of the bolt so as to allow the padlock to be operated to the unlocked mode.

8. 8 The padlock (10) of claim 3, wherein the pin (70) further comprises a pin flat wall (72) formed on one end of each of the pin slopes, and wherein the rotary knob (60) further comprises a rotary knob flat wall (62) formed on one end of each of the knob slopes, wherein disengaging the knob slope(s) of the rotary knob from the pin slope(s) of the pin causes the corresponding pin flat walls to engage the rotary knob flat walls and move the pin rectilinearly in the pin direction.

9. 9 A padlock (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a reset button (100) adapted to control the padlock from the unlocked mode to a reset mode, wherein the reset button comprises at least one tail (101) adapted to engage in a reset button fin slot (29, 39) of the lock body such that a user of the padlock can have both hands free from depressing the reset button when the padlock is in the reset mode.

10. 10 The padlock (10) of claim 9, wherein when the padlock is in the reset mode, the reset button is adapted to be depressed and rotated in a first direction so as to allow the at least one tang to engage in the reset button fin slot of the lock body, wherein depressing the reset button is adapted to cause each of the extended fins (83) of each of the clutches to disengage from the teeth of the dials (91) and engage each of the extended fins in a corresponding extended fin cutout (27, 37) in the lock body to prevent any rotational movement of the clutches.

11. 11 The padlock (10) of claim 9, further comprising a reset plate (110) assembled to the lock body, wherein the reset plate is adapted to cover the reset button (100) to prevent accidental changing of a correct code combination of the combination mechanism, and to prevent decoding of the padlock by pressing the reset button to try to decode the correct code combination.

12. 12 The padlock (10) of claim 11, further comprising a reset control bolt (120) adapted to engage the shackle when the shackle is in the locked mode position, and wherein the reset plate contains a reset bolt receiving cutout (113) for receiving the reset control bolt to control movement of the reset plate.

13. 13 The padlock (10) of claim 12, wherein when the shackle is in the locked mode position a shackle edge (122) of the reset control bolt (120) is adapted to contact the shackle, and the reset control bolt is adapted to engage the reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate to prevent the reset plate from being moved to expose the reset button.

14. 14 The padlock (10) of claim 12, wherein when the shackle is in the unlocked mode position a shackle edge of the reset control bolt is adapted to move in a direction toward the shackle when the reset plate is moved to expose the reset button, and a rounded edge (121) of the reset control bolt (120) is adapted to disengage from the reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate when the reset plate is moved to expose the reset button.

15. 15 The padlock (10) of claim 12, wherein the reset plate (110) is only movable when the padlock is in the unlocked mode and the shackle (40) is in the unlocked mode position, wherein the reset control bolt is arranged to move in a direction substantially parallel to the movement of the shackle from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position, and the reset plate is arranged to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the shackle from the locked mode position to the unlocked mode position.

16. 16 A padlock (10) according to claim 10, wherein after resetting a correct code combination of the combination mechanism of the padlock, the reset button is released, and wherein the reset plate (110) is adapted to slide from a reset state back to a locked state and then a reset bolt receiving cutout of the reset plate will align again with a rounded edge of a reset control bolt, wherein the reset control bolt has a spring that will push the rounded edge (121) toward the reset bolt receiving cutout (113),wherein when the shackle is actuated from the unlocked mode position to the locked mode position a tail of the shackle is adapted to contact a shackle edge of the reset control bolt to cause the rounded edge of the reset control bolt to engage with the reset bolt receiving cutout.,

17. 17 A padlock (10) according to claim 10, wherein when the padlock is in the reset mode, after resetting and / or resetting the correct code combination, the reset button is adapted to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction to allow the tail of the reset button (101) to disengage from the reset button fin slot (29, 39) of the lock body and a spindle spring will force the clutches and the reset button again from a reset mode position to an unlocked mode position, and wherein the new correct code combination has been set when the reset plate is in the unlocked mode position and the shackle is in the unlocked mode position.

18. 18 The padlock (10) of claim 6, wherein the padlock is adapted to be operated from the unlocked mode to the reset mode when the bolt (50) is engaged in the opening slot (62) of the turn knob to allow the shackle to be in the unlocked mode position, thereby allowing a reset control bolt to move straight and a reset plate to slide open, exposing a reset button.

19. 19 The padlock (10) of claim 2, wherein the turn knob (60, 260) further comprises: an anti-drill pin hole (267) configured to receive an anti-drill pin, and the anti-drill pin is configured to resist drilling of the turn knob from the outside; a weakening point (268) of thinner diameter such that a force applied to the turn knob in the locked mode will cause the thinner diameter weakening point to break, protecting the pin from being forced to rotate and operate the padlock to the unlocked mode; and a reinforcing pin hole (269) for receiving a reinforcing pin, wherein the hardened reinforcing pin will contact the bolt to improve the contact strength between the bolt and the reinforcing pin.

20. The padlock (10) of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover (170) formed from a hardened steel material designed to resist sawing attack, wherein the protective cover at least partially encloses the front body side and the rear body side of the padlock.

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