Padlock with double unlocking mode

Abstract

A padlock (10) operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, the padlock (10) comprising: a bracket (40) comprising a heel (42) and a toe (41), a lock body (20, 30) comprising a first side, an opposite second side, a toe hole (21, 31) on the first side, the toe hole (21, 31) being dimensioned to receive the toe (41), and a heel channel (22, 32) dimensioned to place the heel (42) a spindle (50) located in the lock body (20, 30) and movable along a first direction substantially parallel to the heel channel (22, 32), the spindle (50) being connected to the heel (42) of the bracket (40) for common movement in the first direction relative to the lock body (20, 30); a plurality of couplings (70) arranged to form a coupling stack, each of the couplings (70) having an opening (74) dimensioned to receive the spindle (50); a plurality of setting wheels (60) engageable with the plurality of clutches (70) to form a combination code; and a cylinder (80) arranged for key operation, the cylinder (80) having a cylinder wall (83) arranged to contact the clutch stack (70) when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode, the open mode, and the reset mode, the lock body (20, 30) further comprising a cylinder hole (25, 35) located on the second side of the lock body (20, 30) and a body chamber (28, 38) located proximate the cylinder hole (25, 35), the cylinder hole (25, 35) being dimensioned to receive the cylinder (80) to permit movement of the cylinder (80) along the first direction, the body chamber (28, 38) being dimensioned for placing the clutch stack (70), and the padlock (10) being secured by the combination code or by the Key operation can be unlocked to change from locked mode to open mode, and wherein the spindle (50), when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination code, is engaged with the clutch stack (70) for joint movement along the first direction, and wherein the spindle (50), when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the key operation, is disengaged from the clutch stack (70), thereby permitting movement of the spindle (50) relative to the clutch stack (70) in the first direction, wherein - each of the dials (60) is arranged to engage with another of the clutches (70) to form a dial-clutch pair, and each of the clutches (70) comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of projections (71) around the cylindrical surface, and each of the dials (60) comprises a plurality of teeth (61) dimensioned to receive the projections (71) of the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair, wherein the teeth (61) of the dial (60) are arranged to engage with the projections (71) of the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode and in the open mode to prevent rotation of the dial (60) relative to the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair, wherein - the body chamber (28, 38) comprises a plurality of locking edges (24), each locking edge (24) corresponding to a different one of the couplings (70), and wherein each of the couplings (70) further comprises an opening slot (72) on the cylindrical surface, the opening slot (72) being dimensioned to receive the corresponding locking edge (24), wherein upon misalignment of the opening slot (72) with the locking edge (24), the coupling (70) is prevented from moving in the first direction, and when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination codes, the opening slot (72) of each of the couplings (70) is aligned with the corresponding locking edge (24), thereby allowing the coupling stack (70) to move together with the spindle (50) in the first direction to change the padlock (10) from the unlocked mode to the open mode, characterized in that the spindle (50) has a first spindle end and an opposite,second spindle end, the first spindle end being adjacent the first side of the lock body (20, 30), the spindle (50) further comprising an elongated member (53) at the first spindle end, the elongated member (53) being connected to the heel (42) of the bracket (40) for joint movement in the first direction, thereby allowing the heel (42) to rotate within the heel channel (22, 32) relative to the elongated member (53).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a padlock according to the preamble of claim 1, with a double locking system. Background of the invention

[0002] There are currently many TSA (Transportation Security Administration) luggage locks on the market that can allow a TSA agent to open the lock using a master key mechanism. The advantages of this approach include eliminating the need for a TSA agent to cut the lock if luggage inspection is desired.

[0003] A padlock of the type mentioned at the outset is described in US 2008 / 0196459 A1, inter alia, with reference to the figures in conjunction with paragraphs

[0026] ,

[0027] and

[0032] ,

[0033] ; shown is a double locking device with a housing, a shackle and a combination lock and a key-operated locking mechanism. Summary of Revelation

[0004] The present invention provides a padlock having a shackle having a long leg and a short leg and a spindle having an elongated member, the elongated member engaging the long leg of the shackle for joint movement.

[0005] Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a padlock operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, the padlock comprising: a stirrup comprising a heel and a toe, a lock body comprising a first side, an opposite second side, a toe hole on the first side, the toe hole being sized to receive the toe, and a heel channel sized to place the heel a spindle located in the lock body and movable along a first direction substantially parallel to the heel channel, the spindle being connected to the heel of the shackle for joint movement in the first direction relative to the lock body; a plurality of couplings arranged to form a coupling stack, each of the couplings having an opening dimensioned to receive the spindle; a plurality of dials engageable with the plurality of clutches to form a combination code; and a cylinder arranged for key operation, the cylinder having a cylinder wall arranged to contact the clutch stack when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, the open mode, and the reset mode, the lock body further comprising a cylinder hole located on the second side of the lock body and a body chamber located proximate the cylinder hole, the cylinder hole being dimensioned to receive the cylinder to allow movement of the cylinder along the first direction, the body chamber being dimensioned to accommodate the clutch stack, and the padlock being unlockable by the combination code or by key operation to change from the locked mode to the open mode, and wherein, when the padlock is unlocked by the combination code, the spindle is engaged with the clutch stack for joint movement along the first direction, and wherein, when the padlock is unlocked by the key operation, the spindle is disengaged from the clutch stack, thereby permitting movement of the spindle relative to the clutch stack in the first direction.

[0006] According to the present invention, each of the dials is arranged to engage a different one of the clutches to form a dial-clutch pair, and each of the clutches comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of projections around the cylindrical surface, and each of the dials comprises a plurality of teeth dimensioned to receive the projections of the clutch in the dial-clutch pair, the teeth of the dial being arranged to engage the projections of the clutch in the dial-clutch pair when the padlock is operated in the locked mode and in the open mode to prevent rotation of the dial relative to the clutch in the dial-clutch pair.

[0007] According to the present invention, the body chamber comprises a plurality of locking rims, each locking rim corresponding to a different one of the couplings, and wherein each of the couplings further comprises an opening slot on the cylindrical surface, the opening slot being sized to receive the corresponding locking rim, wherein misalignment of the opening slot with the locking rim prevents the coupling from moving in the first direction, and when the padlock is unlocked by the combination codes, the opening slot of each of the couplings is aligned with the corresponding locking rim, thereby allowing the coupling stack to move together with the spindle in the first direction to change the padlock from the unlocked mode to the open mode.

[0008] According to the present invention, the padlock is characterized in that the spindle comprises a first spindle end and an opposite, second spindle end, the first spindle end being located adjacent the first side of the lock body, the spindle further comprising an elongated member at the first spindle end, the elongated member being connected to the heel of the shackle for joint movement in the first direction, thereby allowing the heel to rotate in the heel channel relative to the elongated member.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spindle further comprises a spindle projection at the second spindle end, the spindle projection being arranged to engage the cylinder to cause the clutch stack to move together with the spindle and the cylinder in the first direction when the padlock is unlocked by the combination code, and when the padlock is unlocked by the key operation, the spindle projection is disengaged from the cylinder, thereby allowing the spindle to move in the first direction with respect to the clutch stack.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, the toe of the shackle is engaged with the toe hole of the lock body to prevent the heel of the shackle from rotating with respect to the lock body, and when the spindle is moved together with the heel of the shackle in the first direction toward the first side of the lock body to change the padlock from the locked mode to the open mode, the toe of the shackle is disengaged from the toe hole of the lock body, thereby allowing the shackle to rotate with respect to the lock body.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heel channel comprises a through slot and a reset slot on the first side of the lock body, and the heel of the shackle comprises a reset notch located proximate the first side of the lock body, wherein the reset notch, when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, is positioned within the lock body between the through slot and the extended member of the spindle, and wherein, when the padlock is unlocked by the combination code or by key operation, the heel of the shackle can be caused to move in the first direction and the reset notch is moved through the through slot so that it is positioned outside the lock body to change the padlock from the locked mode to the open mode.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the padlock is operated in the open mode and the heel reset notch is aligned with the through slot of the heel channel, the shackle can be caused to move in a second direction opposite the first direction to engage the toe of the shackle with the toe hole and change the padlock from the open mode to the locked mode.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical surface of each of the clutches has a surface portion for arranging the plurality of projections, wherein, when the padlock is operated in the locked mode and in the open mode, each of the adjustment wheels is positioned adjacent to the surface portion of the clutch in the adjustment wheel-clutch pair and the teeth of each of the adjustment wheels are engaged with the projections of the clutch in the adjustment wheel-clutch pair, and wherein, when the padlock is operated in the open mode and the shackle has been rotated to cause the reset notch on the heel to be aligned with the reset slot of the heel channel, the shackle can be caused to move together with the spindle, the clutch stack, and the cylinder in a second direction opposite the first direction,to displace each of the adjusting wheels from the surface portion of the clutch in the adjusting wheel-clutch pair path and thus disengage the teeth from the projections in the adjusting wheel-clutch pair.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the teeth of the dial in each of the dial clutch pairs are disengaged from the projection of the clutch in each of the dial clutch pairs, the dial can be rotated relative to the clutch in the dial clutch pair to change the combination code.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cylinder comprises a first cylinder end and an opposite second cylinder end, the second cylinder being located proximate the second side of the lock body, the first cylinder end comprising the cylinder wall and a tip extending from the cylinder wall, the tip being arranged to engage the spindle projection when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, the cylinder further comprising a key slot at the second cylinder end, the key slot being dimensioned to receive a key to rotate the cylinder in the cylinder hole relative to the lock body and disengage the tip from the spindle and thus unlock the padlock upon key operation.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cylinder further comprises a pointer, and the cylinder hole comprises a rim groove arranged to receive the pointer for rotation therein when the cylinder is caused to rotate relative to the lock body.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cylinder hole further comprises a track communicating with the rim groove, the track being arranged to receive the pointer when causing the cylinder to move together with the spindle in the first direction when the padlock is unlocked by the combination code to change the padlock from the locked mode to the open mode, and wherein, when the pointer is in the track, the cylinder is prevented from rotating relative to the lock body.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the padlock further comprises a latch and an indicator member, the latch having a latch opening and a latch fork adjacent the opening, the indicator member having an indicator end and a cutout portion positioned in relation to the latch, and the lock body further comprises a latch slot and an indicator chamber, the latch slot formed in the cylinder hole, the indicator chamber being dimensioned for placement of the indicator member, the indicator chamber having a chamber hole extended to the second side of the lock body, wherein, when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, the cutout portion of the latch is positioned in the latch fork, thereby preventing the indicator end from moving through the chamber hole outside the lock body.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pointer is arranged to move the bolt toward the indicator member when the cylinder is caused to rotate relative to the lock body for unlocking the padlock by the key operation, thereby causing the cutout portion of the indicator member to move from the locking fork into the locking opening, wherein the indicator end of the indicator member is allowed to move through the chamber hole outside the lock body when the cutout portion of the indicator member is moved from the locking fork into the locking opening.

[0021] The present invention will be better understood by reading the description in conjunction with the Fig. 1A to 17C. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional front view of a padlock in the locked position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the padlock in the locked position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 1C is a cross-sectional bottom view of the padlock in the locked position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1D is a cross-sectional plan view of the padlock in the locked position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a spindle connected to a cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate two halves of a lock body according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the spindle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a dial according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a display member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional front view of the padlock in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional side view of the padlock in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12C is a cross-sectional bottom view of the padlock in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13A is a cross-sectional front view of the padlock in the locked position with a key inserted into the cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13B is an isometric view of the spindle and cylinder of Fig. 2 with the key inserted into the cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional front view of the padlock in the locked position with the cylinder rotated 180 degrees by the key according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14B is an isometric view of the spindle and cylinder of Fig. 2 with the cylinder rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the spindle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is another isometric view of the spindle and cylinder of Fig. 14B showing the relationship between the spindle projection and the spindle and the tip of the cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional front view of the padlock unlocked by key operation in the open position according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional side view of the padlock unlocked by key operation in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16C is a cross-sectional bottom view of the padlock unlocked by key operation in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17A is a cross-sectional front view of the padlock in the reset position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional side view of the padlock in the reset position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17C is a cross-sectional bottom view of the padlock in the reset position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] The present invention provides a padlock 10 having a spindle 50 and a shackle 40 with a heel 42 and a toe 41. As shown in the Fig. 1A, Fig. 12A, Fig. 13A, Fig. 14A, Fig. 16A and Fig. 17A, the spindle 50 includes an elongated member 53 connected to the heel 42 of the shackle 40 for concerted movement in a first direction. The padlock 10 can be unlocked by a combination code or by key operation. The padlock 10 includes a stack of clutches 70 arranged such that when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the spindle 50 is engaged with the stack of clutches 70 for concerted movement along the first direction, and when the padlock 10 is unlocked by key operation, the spindle 10 is disengaged from the stack of clutches 70, thereby permitting movement of the spindle in the first direction relative to the stack of clutches 70. Locked mode (Figures 1A-11)

[0023] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1A-1D, the padlock 10 includes a shackle 40 having a long leg or heel 42 and a short leg or toe 41; a spindle 50 having an extended member 53 at one end and a spindle boss 52 at the other end; a stack of clutches 70, a plurality of adjustment wheels 60, and a cylinder 80. The stack of clutches 70 is clamped between the extended member 53 of the spindle 50 and the cylinder 80. Further, the padlock 10 includes a lock body formed from two halves 20 and 30. The lock body 20 / 30 includes a toe hole 21 / 31 on the first side, a cylinder hole 25 / 35 on the second side of the lock body; a heel channel 22 / 32, and a body chamber 28 / 38. The toe hole 21 / 31 is sized to accommodate the toe 41, and the heel channel 22 / 32 is sized to accommodate the heel 42, allowing upward and downward movement of the heel in the heel channel 22 / 32.The cylinder hole 25 / 35 is dimensioned to accommodate the cylinder 80. The body chamber 28 / 38 is dimensioned for placement of the stack of couplings 70.

[0024] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the spindle 50 has an elongated member 52 with a yoke receiving hole 51 at one end and a spindle projection 53 at the other end. The spindle projection 52 is arranged for engagement with a tip 81 of the cylinder 80.

[0025] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the lock body 20 / 30 is formed from a first half 20 and a second half 30. When these two parts are united, they provide the toe hole 21 / 31, the heel channel 22 / 32, the cylinder hole 25 / 35, and the body chamber 28 / 38. The lock body 20 / 30 further includes a reset slot 23 / 33 and a through slot 29 / 39 on the first side of the lock body 20 / 30; a rim groove 26 / 36, a latch slot 122 / 132, an indicator chamber 123 / 133 with a chamber hole 124 / 134. The first half 20 further includes a plurality of locking rims 24 extending into the body chamber 28 / 38. The second half 30 further comprises a track 34 and a track edge 37, both of which extend from the edge groove 26 / 36.

[0026] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the shackle 40 has a reset groove 43 and two neck area slots 44. The reset groove 43 is used to prevent the shackle 40 from moving downward when the padlock 10 is operated in the open mode, unless the reset groove 43 is aligned with the through slot 29 / 39, as shown in Fig. 1D, or in reset mode aligned with the reset slot 23 / 33 (see Fig. 17A).

[0027] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the adjusting wheel 60 has a plurality of indicia 62 on its outer surface and a plurality of teeth 61 on its inner surface.

[0028] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, the coupling 70 has a plurality of projections 71 and an opening slot 72 at the lower part of its cylindrical outer surface. The coupling 70 further has a cylindrical inner surface defining a coupling opening 74 for receiving the spindle 50, as shown in Fig. 1B is shown.

[0029] As in Fig. 9, the cylinder 80 has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end has a wall 83 and a tip 81 extending from the wall 83; and a pointer 82 below the wall 83. The lower end has a key slot arranged to receive a key 120 (see, for example, Fig. 13A). The stack of couplings 70 is always in contact with the cylinder wall 83 of the cylinder 80.

[0030] Fig. Figure 10 illustrates a latch 90 having a latch opening 92, a fork 91 extending from the latch opening 92, and a latch spring support 93 for attaching a spring 99, as in Fig. 1C is shown.

[0031] Fig. Figure 11 illustrates an indicator member 100 having a cutout portion 101 and a collar 102. The indicator member 100 is placed in the indicator chamber 123 / 133, as shown in Fig. 1A. When the padlock 10 is operated in the locked mode, the bolt 90 is pressed by the spring 99 toward the cylinder 90, as shown in Fig. 1C, and the cutout portion 101 of the indicator member 100 is positioned in the fork 91 of the latch 90, thereby preventing the indicator member 100 from moving downward.

[0032] According to the present invention, the wall 83 of the cylinder 80 is arranged to contact the stack of couplings 70, and the spindle 50 is placed in the coupling opening 74 of each of the couplings 70. The shackle receiving hole 51 on the extended member 53 of the spindle 50 is dimensioned to receive the heel 42 of the shackle 40, thereby allowing the shackle 40 to rotate relative to the lock body 20 / 30. The heel 42 is connected to the spindle 50 by two C-clamps 110, which are inserted into the neck area slots 44 such that linear movement of the heel 42 along the heel channel 22 / 32 is always transmitted to the spindle 50. Since the spindle projection 52 of the spindle 50 engages the tip 81 of the cylinder 80, the upward or downward movement of the spindle 50 is also transmitted to the cylinder 80. The adjustment wheels 60 are arranged around the stack of clutches 70 to form several adjustment wheel-clutch pairs.When the padlock is operated in the locked mode and the unlocked mode, the teeth 61 of the dials 60 engage the projections 71 of the clutch 70 in the dial-clutch pair, preventing the dials 60 from rotating relative to the clutches 70. In other words, the rotational movement of each of the dials 60 is transmitted to the clutch 70 in the dial-clutch pair. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking rims 24 are positioned within the body chamber 28 / 38 in relation to the clutches 70, and the opening slot 72 on each of the clutches 70 is sized to receive a corresponding locking rim 24.Each of the locking edges 24 is arranged to control the vertical movement of a corresponding coupling 70 such that only when the opening slot 72 on each of the couplings 70 is aligned with the corresponding locking edge 24 can the stack of couplings 70 move upwardly or downwardly with respect to the lock body 20 / 30.

[0033] When the padlock 10 is operated in the locked mode, at least one of the clutches 70 is misaligned with the corresponding locking rim 24. Thus, the stack of clutches 70 sitting on top of the cylinder 80 prevents the cylinder 80 from moving upward. Furthermore, because the spindle 50 is engaged with the cylinder 80 and the heel 42 is connected to the spindle 50, the shackle 40 cannot be pulled upward to open the padlock. Furthermore, without a key to engage the cylinder 80 to unlock the padlock 10, the cylinder 80 will not rotate relative to the lock body 20 / 30. Unlocked by a combination code (Figures 12A-13)

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the indicia 62 of the plurality of dials 60 are used to form a combination code. When the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the dials 60 are rotated to cause all opening slots 72 on all couplings 70 to align with the locking rims 24 of the body chamber 28 / 38. As a result, the couplings 70 are not prevented from moving upward by the locking rims 24.

[0035] Thus, the shackle 40, along with the spindle 50, the clutches 70, and the cylinder 80, can be caused to move upward to release the toe 41 from the toe hole 21 / 31. Accordingly, each of the locking rims 24 is received in the opening slot 72 of the corresponding clutch 70. While a portion of the heel 42 remains in the heel channel 22 / 32, the shackle 40 can be caused to rotate relative to the lock body 20 / 30 to change the padlock 10 from the unlocked mode to the open mode. Even if the clutches 70 are caused to move upward, the teeth 61 of the adjustment wheels 60 still engage the projection 71 of the corresponding clutch 70. Rotational movement of the adjustment wheel 60 transmits to the clutch 70 in the adjustment wheel-clutch pair.However, since each of the locking edges 24 is located within the opening slot 72 of the corresponding clutch 70, all of the adjustment wheels 60 together with the clutches are prevented from rotating 20 / 30 with respect to the lock body.

[0036] Since an upward movement of the cylinder 80 is effected, the pointer 82 of the cylinder 80 is pulled into the upper track 34 of the body chamber 28 / 38 when the bracket 40 is pulled upward, as in Fig. 12C. The engagement between the pointer 82 and the top wall 34 prevents the cylinder 80 from rotating relative to the lock body 20 / 30. Thus, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the cylinder 80 cannot rotate, even if a proper key 120 is used. Furthermore, since the cylinder 80 cannot rotate, the tip 81 of the cylinder 80 remains engaged with the spindle projection 52 of the spindle 50, and the cylinder 80 cannot be separated from the lock body 20 / 30, as shown in Fig. 12A is shown.

[0037] When the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the bolt 90 is pressed by the spring 99 towards the cylinder 90, as shown in Fig. 12C, and the cutout portion 101 of the indicator member 100 is positioned in the fork 91 of the latch 90, thereby preventing downward movement of the indicator member 100. Unlocked by key operation (Figures 14A-16D)

[0038] When the padlock 10 is operated in the locked mode, the stack of clutches 70 sitting on top of the cylinder 80 prevents the cylinder 80 from moving upward, and the shackle 40 is also prevented from moving upward.

[0039] When a proper key 120 is inserted into the cylinder 80 to unlock the padlock 10, the cylinder 80 can be rotated, and the pointer 82 is moved along the rim groove 26 on the body chamber 28 / 38 away from the upper track 34 and the lower track 37. Because the pointer 82 is located in the rim groove 26, the cylinder 80 cannot move up or down relative to the lock body 20 / 30. When the cylinder 80 is rotated, the stack of clutches 70 remains in contact with the cylinder wall 83 of the cylinder 80 and cannot move down. Thus, the relative position between the clutches 70 and the setting wheels 60 does not change. The teeth 61 of each of the setting wheels 60 remain engaged with the projection 71 of the clutch 70 in the setting wheel-clutch pair. Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B illustrates the padlock 10 in the locked mode and the relative position of the spindle 50 with respect to the cylinder 80 when the key 120 has been inserted into the cylinder 80 but the cylinder 80 has not been rotated. Upon rotation of the cylinder 80 with the key 120, the pointer 82 contacts the latch 90 and pushes the latch 90 away from the cylinder 80, causing the cutout portion 101 of the indicator member 100 to move out of the fork 91 into the latch opening 92, and the indicator member 100 is urged by the spring 140 to move downward. The downward movement of the indicator member 100 is stopped by the collar 102 at the chamber hole 124 / 134, and only the indicator tip 103 of the indicator member 100 is positioned outside the lock body 20 / 30. However, the padlock 10 is still in locked mode because the spindle projection 52 remains engaged with the tip 81 of the cylinder 80, as shown in the Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B is shown.

[0040] When the spindle projection 52 is disengaged from the tip 81 of the cylinder 80, the shackle 40 can be pulled upwards together with the spindle 50 to change the following lock 10 from the locked mode to the open mode, as shown in the Fig. 16A-16C. The indicator tip 103 serves as a reminder that the padlock 10 has been unlocked by the key operation.

[0041] It should be noted that when the padlock 10 is operated in the open mode, as shown in the Fig. 12B and Fig. 16C, the reset notch 43 of the shackle 40 has moved through the through slot 29 / 39 and is located outside the lock body 20 / 30. When the shackle 40 is rotated relative to the lock body 10, the shackle 40 cannot be slid downward to change the padlock 10 from the open mode to the locked mode unless the reset notch 43 is aligned with the through slot 29 / 39. Thus, when the padlock 10 is changed from the open mode to the locked mode, the toe 41 is received in the toe hole 21 / 31, as shown in Fig. 1B. When the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination mode, the spindle 50 remains engaged with the cylinder 50. However, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by key operation, the spindle 50 is disengaged from the cylinder 50. Thus, when the padlock 10 is relocked, the cylinder 50 must be rotated back to its original position to engage the spindle projection 52 with the tip 81 of the cylinder 80. Reset mode (Figures 17A-17C)

[0042] To change the combination code to reset the padlock 10, each of the dials 60 must be moved to the upper portion of the clutch 70 in the dial-clutch pair so that the teeth 61 are disengaged from the projection 71. Thus, the clutches 70 can move further downward relative to the dials when the padlock 10 is operated in the open mode.

[0043] When the padlock 10 is unlocked by the key operation to change the padlock 10 from the locked mode to the open mode, the cylinder 80 cannot move up or down relative to the lock body 20 / 30 because the pointer 82 of the cylinder 80 is located in the rim groove 26 / 36 of the lock body 20 / 30. Furthermore, the clutches 70 cannot move further down relative to the adjustment wheels 60 to release the teeth 61 from the projection 71. Thus, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the key operation, the padlock 10 cannot be reset.

[0044] When the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the opening slot 72 of each of the clutches 70 is aligned with the corresponding locking rim 24 in the body chamber 20 / 30. Thus, when the padlock 10 is operated in the open mode, the adjustment wheels 60 cannot rotate relative to the lock body 20 / 30, but the clutches 70 can be caused to move downward. Furthermore, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the pointer 82 of the cylinder 80 is positioned in the upper track 34, as shown in Fig. 12C. Since the lower track 37 of the lock body 20 / 30 is aligned with the upper track 34, as shown in Fig. 4, the cylinder 80 can be pushed downwards so that the pointer 82 is moved into the lower track 37.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the projections 71 of each coupling 70 are arranged on the lower part of the outer surface of the coupling 70, as shown in Fig. 8. The teeth 61 are arranged to engage with the projections 71 when the padlock 10 is in the locked mode, as shown in Fig. 1B, and in open mode, as shown in the Fig. 12B and Fig. 16B. After the bracket 40 is rotated out of its position in the open position, as shown in Fig. 12B, so that the reset notch 43 is aligned with the reset slot 22 / 32 (see for example Fig. 1D), the bracket 40 can be pushed downwards along the spindle 50, the couplings 70 and the cylinder 80 until the pointer 82 of the cylinder 80 reaches the end of the lower track 37 (see Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 17B, the teeth 61 of each dial 60 are disengaged from the projections 71 of the clutch 70 in the dial-clutch pair. Thus, the dials 60 can rotate relative to the clutches 70 to change the combination code. However, the clutches 70 cannot rotate relative to the lock body 20 / 30 because each of the locking rims 42 is located in the opening slot 22 of the corresponding clutch 70.

[0046] After resetting the padlock 10, the shackle 40 can be pulled upward until the reset notch 43 is outside the lock body 20 / 30. The shackle 40 can be rotated until the reset notch 43 is aligned with the through slot 29 / 39, as shown in Fig. 1D, and then the shackle 40 can be slid downwards to change the padlock from the open mode to the locked mode.

[0047] In summary, the padlock 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is operable in a locked mode, an open mode, and a reset mode. The padlock 10 includes a shackle 40 with a long leg or heel 42 and a shorter leg or toe 41. The padlock 10 includes a lock body 20 / 30, the lock body 20 / 30 including a toe hole 21 / 31 on the first side of the lock body for receiving the toe 41, a heel channel 22 / 32 sized to accommodate the heel 42, and a cylinder hole 25 / 35 on the second side sized to receive a cylinder 80.The padlock 10 further includes a spindle 50 located within the lock body 20 / 30 and movable along a first direction substantially parallel to the heel channel 22 / 32, the spindle 50 being connected to the heel 42 of the shackle 40 for joint movement in the first direction; a plurality of clutches 70 arranged to form a clutch stack, each of the clutches 70 having an opening 74 sized to receive the spindle 50; and a plurality of dials 60 engageable with the plurality of clutches 70 to form a combination code. The cylinder 80 is arranged for key actuation, the cylinder having a tip 81 arranged to contact the clutch stack when the padlock is operated in the locked mode, the open mode, and the reset mode.The cylinder 80 can be moved in the cylinder hole 25 / 35 along the first direction when the cylinder 80 is engaged with the spindle 50. The cylinder 80 can also be rotated relative to the spindle 50 by a key 120. The lock body 20 / 30 also has a body chamber 38 / 38 dimensioned for accommodating the clutch stack.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the padlock can be unlocked by the combination code or by the key operation to change from the locked mode to the open mode, and wherein, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the combination code, the spindle 50 is engaged with the clutch stack for joint movement along the first direction, and wherein, when the padlock 10 is unlocked by the key operation, the spindle 50 is disengaged from the clutch stack for movement in the first direction with respect to the clutch stack.

Claims

[1] A padlock (10) operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, the padlock (10) comprising: a bracket (40) comprising a heel (42) and a toe (41), a lock body (20, 30) comprising a first side, an opposite second side, a toe hole (21, 31) on the first side, the toe hole (21, 31) being dimensioned to receive the toe (41), and a heel channel (22, 32) dimensioned to place the heel (42) a spindle (50) located in the lock body (20, 30) and movable along a first direction substantially parallel to the heel channel (22, 32), the spindle (50) being connected to the heel (42) of the bracket (40) for common movement in the first direction relative to the lock body (20, 30); a plurality of couplings (70) arranged to form a coupling stack, each of the couplings (70) having an opening (74) dimensioned to receive the spindle (50); a plurality of setting wheels (60) engageable with the plurality of clutches (70) to form a combination code; and a cylinder (80) arranged for key operation, the cylinder (80) having a cylinder wall (83) arranged to contact the clutch stack (70) when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode, the open mode, and the reset mode, the lock body (20, 30) further comprising a cylinder hole (25, 35) located on the second side of the lock body (20, 30) and a body chamber (28, 38) located proximate the cylinder hole (25, 35), the cylinder hole (25, 35) being dimensioned to receive the cylinder (80) to permit movement of the cylinder (80) along the first direction, the body chamber (28, 38) being dimensioned for placing the clutch stack (70), and the padlock (10) being secured by the combination code or by the Key operation can be unlocked to change from locked mode to open mode, and wherein the spindle (50), when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination code, is engaged with the clutch stack (70) for joint movement along the first direction, and wherein the spindle (50), when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the key operation, is disengaged from the clutch stack (70), thereby permitting movement of the spindle (50) relative to the clutch stack (70) in the first direction, wherein - each of the dials (60) is arranged to engage with another of the clutches (70) to form a dial-clutch pair, and each of the clutches (70) comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of projections (71) around the cylindrical surface, and each of the dials (60) comprises a plurality of teeth (61) dimensioned to receive the projections (71) of the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair, wherein the teeth (61) of the dial (60) are arranged to engage with the projections (71) of the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode and in the open mode to prevent rotation of the dial (60) relative to the clutch (70) in the dial-clutch pair, wherein - the body chamber (28, 38) comprises a plurality of locking edges (24), each locking edge (24) corresponding to a different one of the couplings (70), and wherein each of the couplings (70) further comprises an opening slot (72) on the cylindrical surface, the opening slot (72) being dimensioned to receive the corresponding locking edge (24), wherein misalignment of the opening slot (72) with the locking edge (24) prevents the coupling (70) from moving in the first direction, and when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination codes, the opening slot (72) of each of the couplings (70) is aligned with the corresponding locking edge (24), thereby allowing the coupling stack (70) to move together with the spindle (50) in the first direction to change the padlock (10) from the unlocked mode to the open mode, characterized byin that the spindle (50) comprises a first spindle end and an opposite, second spindle end, the first spindle end being adjacent the first side of the lock body (20, 30), the spindle (50) further comprising an elongated member (53) at the first spindle end, the elongated member (53) being connected to the heel (42) of the shackle (40) for joint movement in the first direction, thereby allowing the heel (42) to rotate within the heel channel (22, 32) relative to the elongated member (53). [2] The padlock (10) of claim 1, wherein the spindle (50) includes a spindle projection (52) at the second spindle end, the spindle projection (52) being arranged to engage the cylinder (80) to cause the clutch stack (70) to move in the first direction together with the spindle (50) and the cylinder (80) when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination code, and when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the key operation, the spindle projection (52) is disengaged from the cylinder (80), thereby allowing the spindle (50) to move in the first direction with respect to the clutch stack (70). [3] Padlock (10) according to claim 1, wherein the toe (41) of the shackle (40) engages the toe hole (21, 31) of the lock body (20, 30) when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode to prevent the heel (42) of the shackle (40) from rotating with respect to the lock body (20, 30), and when the spindle (50) is moved together with the heel (42) of the shackle (40) in the first direction towards the first side of the lock body (20, 30) to change the padlock (10) from the locked mode to the open mode, the toe (41) of the shackle (40) is disengaged from the toe hole (21, 31) of the lock body (20, 30), thereby allowing the shackle (40) to rotate with respect to the lock body (20, 30) rotates. [4] Padlock (10) according to claim 3, wherein the heel channel (22, 32) comprises a through slot (29, 39) and a reset slot (23, 33) on the first side of the lock body (20, 30) and the heel (42) of the shackle (40) comprises a reset notch located near the first side of the lock body (20, 30), wherein the reset notch, when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode, is positioned within the lock body (20, 30) between the through slot (29, 39) and the extended member of the spindle (50), and wherein, when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination code or by the key operation, the heel (42) of the shackle (40) can be caused to move in the first direction and the reset notch through the through slot (29, 39) is moved so that it is positioned outside the lock body (20, 30),to change the padlock (10) from locked mode to open mode., [5] A padlock (10) according to claim 4, wherein when the padlock (10) is operated in the open mode and the reset notch of the heel (42) is aligned with the through slot (29, 39) of the heel channel (22, 32), the shackle (40) can be caused to move in a second direction opposite the first direction to engage the toe (41) of the shackle (40) with the toe hole (21, 31) and change the padlock (10) from the open mode to the locked mode. [6] A padlock (10) according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical surface of each of the clutches (70) has a surface portion for locating the plurality of projections (71), wherein, when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode and in the open mode, each of the adjustment wheels (60) is positioned adjacent to the surface portion of the clutch (70) in the adjustment wheel clutch pair and the teeth (61) of each of the adjustment wheels (60) are engaged with the projections (71) of the clutch (70) in the adjustment wheel clutch pair, and wherein, when the padlock (10) is operated in the open mode and the shackle (40) has been rotated to cause the reset notch on the heel (42) to be aligned with the reset slot (23, 33) of the heel channel (22, 32), the shackle (40) can be caused to rotate together with the spindle (50), the Coupling stack (70) and the cylinder (80) in a second direction opposite to the first direction,to displace each of the adjusting wheels (60) away from the surface portion of the clutch (70) in the adjusting wheel clutch pair and thus disengage the teeth (61) from the projections (71) in the adjusting wheel clutch pair. [7] A padlock (10) according to claim 6, wherein the dial (60), when the teeth (61) of the dial (60) in each of the dial clutch pairs are disengaged from the projection (71) of the clutch (70) in each of the dial clutch pairs, can be rotated with respect to the clutch (70) in the dial clutch pair to change the combination code. [8] The padlock (10) of claim 2, wherein the cylinder (80) comprises a first cylinder end and an opposite second cylinder end, the second cylinder end being located proximate the second side of the lock body (20, 30), the first cylinder end comprising the cylinder wall (83) and a tip (81) extending from the cylinder wall (83), the tip (81) being arranged to engage the spindle projection (52) when the padlock (10) is operated in the locked mode, the cylinder (80) further comprising a key slot at the second cylinder end, the key slot being dimensioned to receive a key (120) for rotating the cylinder (80) in the cylinder hole (25, 35) relative to the lock body (20, 30) and disengaging the tip (81) from the spindle (50) to thus unlock the padlock (10) upon key operation. [9] A padlock (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cylinder (80) further comprises a pointer (82) and the cylinder hole (25, 35) comprises a rim groove (26, 36) arranged to receive the pointer (82) for rotation therein when the cylinder (80) is caused to rotate with respect to the lock body (20, 30). [10] The padlock (10) of claim 9, wherein the cylinder hole (25, 35) further comprises a track (34) communicating with the rim groove (26, 36), the track (34) being arranged to receive the pointer (82) when the cylinder (80) is caused to move in the first direction together with the spindle (50) when the padlock (10) is unlocked by the combination code to change the padlock (10) from the locked mode to the open mode, and wherein, when the pointer (82) is in the track (34), the cylinder (80) is prevented from rotating with respect to the lock body (20, 30).[11] The padlock (10) of claim 10, further comprising a latch (90) and an indicator member (100), the latch (90) having a latch opening (92) and a latch fork (91) adjacent the opening (92), the indicator member (100) having an indicator end and a cutout portion (101) positioned in relation to the latch (90), and the lock body (20, 30) further comprising a latch slot (122, 132) and an indicator chamber (123, 133), the latch slot being formed in the cylinder hole (25, 35), the indicator chamber (123, 133) being dimensioned for placement of the indicator member (100), the indicator chamber having a chamber hole (124, 134) extended to the second side of the lock body (20, 30), wherein when the padlock (10) is operated in locked mode, the cutout portion (101) of the bolt (90) is positioned in the bolt fork (91), thereby preventingthat the indicator end moves through the chamber hole (124, 134) outside the lock body (20, 30)., [12] The padlock (10) of claim 11, wherein the pointer (82) is arranged to move the latch (90) toward the indicator member (100) when the cylinder (80) is caused to rotate relative to the lock body (20, 30) to unlock the padlock (10) by the key operation, thereby causing the cutout portion (101) of the indicator member (100) to move from the latch fork (91) into the latch opening (92), wherein the indicator end of the indicator member (100) is allowed to move through the chamber hole (124, 134) outside the lock body (20, 30) when the cutout portion (101) of the indicator member (100) is moved from the latch fork (91) into the latch opening (92).

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