Shackle lock

Abstract

A padlock consists of a lock body and a shackle that can be locked to the lock body. The shackle is a metal tube with a cavity extending lengthwise along the tube. This cavity contains a reinforcing material. At least one end of the shackle has a locking mechanism for engaging a locking device on the lock body. This locking mechanism is located on the outside of the tube, without an opening to the hollow space within the tube.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a U-lock, in particular for a two-wheeler, for example a bicycle or a motorcycle, which has a lock body and a shackle, wherein the shackle can be selectively brought into an open position or into a closed position in which the shackle can be locked to the lock body.

[0002] Such a U-lock serves, for example, to secure a bicycle against unauthorized removal, for instance by passing the shackle through a spoked wheel of the bicycle. Alternatively or additionally, such a U-lock can be used to secure a bicycle to a stationary object, such as a lamppost. Generally, such a U-lock can serve to secure an object against unauthorized use or access, with the shackle being moved into the closed position and locked. The authorized user, however, can optionally move the shackle to the open position, in which the shackle is either open relative to the lock body or completely detached from the lock body. Such a U-lock with a mechanical locking cylinder is known from DE 100 26 701 A1. Such a U-lock with an electrically driven locking device is known from DE 10 2018 111 302 A1.

[0003] The temple can essentially have a U-shape, as is generally known from DE 299 03 865 U1, US 5 417 092 A, US 5 488 845 A, WO 94 / 10414 A1, DE 10 2018 116 434 A1 or EU design EM 002113266-0002 (however, without the conical or pointed temple ends shown in some of these documents). Alternatively, the shackle in question can also have a straight shape, as is known, for example, for padlocks in general from WO 2006 / 109299 A2 or EP 2 333 204 A1, or for disc locks in general from DE 10 2005 043 926 A1, or for frame locks in general from DE 103 58 300 A1 or DE 10 2004 052 463 A1, or for scaffold locks in general from WO 2015 / 185380 A1. Furthermore, the bracket in question can also be designed in multiple parts, in particular with several articulated links, for example as a hinged rod lock, as is generally known from EP 0 638 473 B1, EP 0 675 995 B1 or EP 0 689 987 B1.

[0004] A U-lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from GB 1 392 268 A. Similar locks are disclosed in EP 1 905 677 B1 and US 4 182 454 A.

[0005] A U-lock of this type should be as break-proof as possible, especially against attacks on the shackle by sawing (i.e., cutting with a geometrically defined edge) or pinching. In recent years, attacks using battery-powered angle grinders (also known as angle grinders or flex grinders) have increased (i.e., cutting with a geometrically undefined edge).

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to create a U-lock that is as break-proof as possible.

[0007] This problem is solved by a U-lock having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The padlock comprises a lock body and a shackle. The lock body has, particularly on one outer side, at least one insertion opening that leads into an insertion channel. The lock body also has a locking device. The shackle can be selectively positioned relative to the lock body in either an open or a closed position. The shackle has at least one end which, in the closed position, projects through the respective insertion opening into the associated insertion channel of the lock body. In the closed position, the shackle can be locked to the lock body by the locking device. The shackle has a metal tube with a cavity extending longitudinally along the tube. This cavity contains a reinforcing filling consisting of granules embedded in a binding material.The reinforcing infill extends, in the closed position of the shackle, from the exposed section of the shackle at least to the level of the respective insertion opening of the lock body. The shackle end(s) have at least one locking structure for engagement of the locking mechanism of the lock body. The respective locking structure is formed on an outer surface of the tube without creating an opening to the cavity of the tube.

[0009] In other words, a padlock consists of a shackle that can engage with a lock body at one or more ends. In this closed position, the shackle can be locked by a locking mechanism located within the lock body, thus preventing unauthorized opening or complete removal from the lock body. The shackle and the lock body can therefore form a closed loop. By authorized activation of the locking mechanism, for example, using a physical identification token or a code, the shackle can be unlocked and subsequently opened or removed from the lock body.

[0010] The bracket comprises a tube with a cavity that generally extends along the length of the tube. The cavity can, in particular, extend continuously over the entire length of the bracket, although interruptions may also be provided, especially an interruption in a central section of the bracket.

[0011] The cavity of the shackle or tube contains a reinforcing filling consisting of granules (a multitude of particles of a first material) and a binder (a second material that fixes the particles). The reinforcing filling need not fill the entire cavity of the tube but may be set back relative to the end(s) of the tube and / or may have gaps (preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the tube). At least one end of the shackle has at least one locking feature (e.g., a recess) designed to engage selectively with a section or element of the locking mechanism of the lock body, thereby locking the shackle to the lock body.

[0012] The locking structure is formed on the outer surface of the yoke tube and can, for example, have a round shape (e.g., a spherical segment) or an elongated shape (e.g., a transverse slot or ridge). The locking structure can consist of a locking recess, a locking protrusion (e.g., a bulge), or a combination of both. The locking structure can extend along only a portion of the tube's circumference or along its entire circumference (e.g., as an annular groove or bead). The locking structure can be machined into the tube, either by cutting (e.g., milling) or by non-cutting (e.g., punching).The wall thickness of the pipe and the respective locking mechanism (especially its depth in the case of a locking recess) are coordinated in such a way that the locking mechanism does not form an opening to the pipe's cavity, i.e., no passage to the pipe's interior; rather, the locking mechanism is completely closed. The pipe is therefore completely closed, even at the level of the locking mechanism.

[0013] A U-lock of this type is characterized by a high level of resistance to forced entry, particularly with regard to potential force applied to the shackle. The shackle tube is made of metal, such as steel, and therefore exhibits the toughness characteristic of metallic materials. This gives the shackle high tensile strength. This makes attacks by spreading or pinching particularly difficult. If an attempt is made to tear the shackle out of the lock body, for example, in the case of a U-shackle, using a spreading tool that acts parallel to the legs of the U-shape, high tensile forces are transferred to the locking mechanism, which engages with the locking structure of the shackle within the lock body.This interface between the shackle and the lock body, however, possesses a high degree of stability, as the respective locking structure on the outside of the shackle tube is designed as a closed structure. In the case of a locking recess, it is a simple recess (similar to a blind hole), without forming an opening to the tube's cavity (i.e., without a through-hole). This uninterrupted design of the tube at the respective locking structure prevents or at least minimizes weakening of the tube in the area where particularly high tensile forces are exerted on it during the described break-in attempt.

[0014] The reinforcing filling inside the shackle, containing granules, provides additional protection against sawing and grinding. This is because the granules are made from particles that, unlike the metal of the tube, are more brittle but also harder. This makes attacks by sawing or grinding, for example with an angle grinder, particularly difficult. This additional saw and grinding protection provided by the reinforcing filling is effective at least in the section of the shackle that is exposed when the shackle is closed, i.e., that does not protrude into the lock body. Specifically, when the shackle is closed, the reinforcing filling extends from the exposed section of the shackle at least to the level of the insertion opening(s) of the lock body.The described closed design of the bracket tube in the area of ​​the locking structure(s) can offer a further advantage in this context. During the manufacturing of the bracket – when the reinforcing material is filled into the tube's cavity – the reinforcing material cannot unintentionally escape from the tube through openings that would be present if the locking structure(s) were formed as a passage or passages between the outer surface and the tube's cavity.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reinforcing filling can extend within the cavity of the tube, starting from a section of the shackle exposed in the closed position, at least to the level of the at least one locking structure of the shackle or the tube. This can contribute to greater stability of the shackle. In particular, the reinforcing filling can also extend beyond the respective locking structure. However, it is not necessary for the reinforcing filling to extend to the respective end of the shackle tube and, for example, to be flush with the tube end. This is because the protection against sawing and grinding provided by the reinforcing filling is not required within the lock body.

[0016] If the lock body has multiple insertion openings for the shackle, the reinforcing filling can, in some embodiments, extend continuously through the cavity of the tube between the insertion openings of the lock body when the shackle is closed. This achieves complete protection against sawing and grinding due to the reinforcing filling.

[0017] In some embodiments, the respective end of the bracket, equipped with the locking mechanism, can be formed at the level of the locking mechanism without an additional reinforcing element within the tube cavity, i.e., without an insert or the like. This simplifies the manufacture of the bracket. Due to the high tensile strength of the tube resulting from the closed design of the locking mechanism(s), such a reinforcing element is unnecessary. However, end caps can be provided at the respective bracket end. These caps do not serve a reinforcing function but, for example, prevent the ingress of dirt into the tube cavity, eliminate the risk of injury from the edges of the tube ends, or serve a decorative function. In alternative embodiments, however, such an additional reinforcing element can be arranged within the tube cavity at the level of the respective locking mechanism.

[0018] In some designs, the tube of the bracket can be made of hardened or self-hardening steel. This results in particularly high hardness and strength.

[0019] In some embodiments, the tube of the bracket can have a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section, in particular a square, hexagonal or oblong rectangular cross-section.

[0020] As explained above, the wall thickness of the shackle tube is selected such that the respective locking mechanism does not form an opening to the tube's cavity. However, the tube's cavity must have a certain diameter (clear opening) to ensure that the reinforcing material contains a sufficient number and provides sufficient coverage of the granulate particles. For this purpose, some embodiments provide for the shackle tube to have a wall thickness that is at least one-quarter, and in particular at least one-third, of the tube's outer diameter. In the case of a non-circular cross-section, this refers to the minimum outer diameter of the tube; for example, in the case of a square cross-section, it refers to the side length of the square (and not the diagonal).Accordingly, in some embodiments the inner diameter of the tube can have a value that is at most half or at most one third of the outer diameter of the tube.

[0021] In some embodiments, the tube's cavity can extend to at least one end of the yoke. This simplifies tube manufacturing and facilitates filling the tube's cavity with reinforcing material. Alternatively or additionally, the tube's cavity can extend along the entire length of the yoke.

[0022] In some embodiments, the shackle tube can have a constant outer diameter and / or wall thickness and / or inner diameter along its entire length. This simplifies manufacturing, as, for example, a continuous tube can be used as a semi-finished product, requiring only the insertion of the locking mechanism(s). Furthermore, expansions in the tube's diameter, which can weaken the tube, can be avoided. Additionally, constrictions in the tube's cavity, which can hinder the insertion of the reinforcing material, can be prevented.

[0023] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the bracket tube can range from 12 mm to 18 mm (for example, approximately 16 mm) in the case of a circular cross-section, or from 10 mm to 16 mm (for example, approximately 13 mm) in the case of a square cross-section. However, other outer diameters and geometries are also possible.

[0024] In some embodiments, the reinforcing granules can comprise hard metal particles (for example, with tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, or titanium nitride) and / or ceramic particles (for example, with aluminum oxide or silicon nitride). This allows for a high level of protection against sawing and grinding.

[0025] In some embodiments, the granular particles may be irregularly shaped and / or have sharp edges. For example, the particles may be splinter-shaped. The particles may be arranged and oriented chaotically (i.e., unsystematically) within the reinforcing filling. In particular, the particles may be dimensioned and shaped such that, within the cavity of the tube, there is an overlap of several particles arranged one behind the other along essentially all possible axes of view. One or more of these features provides particularly effective protection against sawing and grinding, especially against attack with an angle grinder.

[0026] In some embodiments, the granules can have a grain size in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, whereby this value is preferably chosen depending on the inner diameter of the tube of the bracket.

[0027] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the tube can be two to three times larger than the grain size of the granules. This allows for a particle coverage of the granules that provides a high level of protection against sawing and grinding, without the individual particles being so small relative to the clear opening of the tube's cavity that they would allow a saw blade to pass through due to lateral displacement.

[0028] In some embodiments, the binding material of the reinforcing filler can comprise a solder, in particular a metallic solder. This allows the reinforcing filler granules (especially a multitude of particles forming the granules and embedded in the solder) to be effectively fixed in the ready-to-use state of the U-shaped bracket. In particular, a metallurgical bond (at the atomic or molecular level) can be formed. Furthermore, due to its inherent toughness (unlike, for example, an adhesive), a solder simplifies the production of a U-shaped bracket, for instance, when straightening it. Additionally, in the event of an attack with an angle grinder, a metallic solder can efficiently dissipate the resulting heat to the entire bracket (especially the metal tube), thus maintaining the secure fixation of the reinforcing filler granules, as the heat dissipation prevents the solder from melting.In particular, the solder can be a metal-bonding soft solder, hard solder or even pure metal (such as copper, aluminum or tin).

[0029] In some embodiments, the inner boundary surface of the tube cavity, at least in the area of ​​the reinforcing fill, can have a roughened or drawn surface. A roughened or drawn surface has the advantage of increasing the overall surface area, which allows the reinforcing fill to bond better with the tube.

[0030] In some embodiments, the locking device of the lock body can have at least one movable bolt, wherein the shackle can be locked to the lock body in the closed position by moving the respective bolt into a locking position in which the bolt engages with the respective locking structure of the tube.

[0031] The locking device can be purely mechanical, for example with a key-operated cylinder lock. In some embodiments, the locking device can be electromechanical, for example with an electronic cylinder lock, electric motor, or electromagnet that drives the bolt(s).

[0032] In some embodiments, the shackle can be designed as a U-shackle, with the shackle tube being essentially U-shaped. Such a U-shackle can have various forms, as is known from the aforementioned documents. For example, such a U-shackle can have two legs, which can be connected to each other, in particular, by a connecting section. A rounded transition can be provided between the two legs of the U-shape, although a square transition is also generally possible. The two legs of the U-shape can be aligned parallel or at an acute angle to each other. The two legs of the U-shape can form two shackle ends, with the two shackle ends preferably being aligned parallel to each other to allow both shackle ends to be inserted into corresponding insertion channels in the lock body.If only one of the two shackle ends has one or more locking structure(s), the other shackle end may, for example, have a hook section for hooking the U-shackle onto the lock body, as is known from the aforementioned documents (e.g. WO 94 / 10414 A1).

[0033] In some embodiments, the lock body of the U-lock can have an elongated shape, for example with a circular, oval, or rectangular cross-section. The elongated shape can, in particular, be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a U-shackle.

[0034] As an alternative to a U-shape, the shackle and tube can be at least substantially straight, as is known from the aforementioned documents. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism can be located at one end of such a straight shackle, and at the other end, for example, a thickening can be provided to limit the shackle's movement. Furthermore, the shackle can be multi-part, as is known from the aforementioned documents, with a corresponding number of tubes provided with the reinforcing infill, for example, in a hinged bar lock. A curved shackle shape is also possible, for example, a C-shape of a rotating shackle for a padlock or a bicycle frame lock. In some embodiments, one end of the shackle can be permanently attached to the lock body (in particular, rotatably or pivotably).

[0035] In some embodiments, at least one locking structure of the bracket or tube can be formed by a locking recess which is closed as explained.

[0036] The invention also relates in general terms to a U-lock, in particular for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a lock body and a shackle, wherein the shackle can be selectively brought into an open position or a closed position, wherein the shackle is open or detached from the lock body in the open position and can be locked to the lock body in the closed position, wherein the lock body has a locking device for locking the shackle, wherein the shackle has a metal tube with a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube in which a reinforcing filling is arranged, wherein the reinforcing filling comprises granules embedded in a binding material, wherein at least one end of the shackle has at least one locking structure for engagement of the locking device, wherein the locking structure is formed on an outside of the tube.without forming an opening to the cavity of the pipe.

[0037] By using a shackle with a metal tube and a reinforcing filling comprising granules, a high level of break-in resistance is achieved (high tensile strength of the metal tube; no weakening due to a radial through-hole locking mechanism in the tube, but rather a closed locking structure; protection against sawing and grinding due to the reinforcing filling).

[0038] The features and embodiments mentioned above in connection with the padlock can also be provided in this padlock. In particular, the reinforcing filling can extend, in the closed position of the padlock, at least to the level of an insertion opening in the lock body where the end of the padlock engages the lock body. The locking device of the lock body can have at least one movable bolt, wherein the padlock can be locked to the lock body in the closed position by moving the respective bolt into a locking position in which the bolt engages with the associated locking structure of the tube. The locking structure of the tube can, in particular, include a locking recess.

[0039] The shackle can have a straight or a curved shape. In some embodiments, the shackle can have two ends, with at least one locking structure provided at each end, or with the at least one locking structure provided only at one end and the other end permanently attached to the lock body (in particular, rotatably or pivotably, for example, in the manner of a padlock).

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a shackle for a U-lock, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps, preferably in the order mentioned: Providing a metal tube having a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction along the tube; forming at least one locking structure on the outside of the tube at at least one end of the tube without forming an opening to the cavity of the tube; filling the cavity with a reinforcing material comprising a mixture of granules and a binder in loose form; heating and subsequently cooling the binder to first melt and then solidify the binder so that the granules are permanently embedded in the binder.

[0041] The reinforcing material, filled loosely into the cavity, can form a homogeneous mixture of the granules and the binding material. The binding material can be in the form of particles, particularly spherical particles.

[0042] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a shackle for a U-lock, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps, preferably in the order mentioned: Providing a metal tube having a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction along the tube; forming at least one locking structure on the outside of the tube at at least one end of the tube, without forming an opening to the cavity of the tube; filling the cavity with reinforcing granules in solid, but loose, form; filling the cavity with a heated binding material (in particular, molten solder) in liquid form; subsequently cooling the binding material to solidify it, so that the reinforcing granules are embedded in the binding material in a fixed position.

[0043] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a shackle for a U-lock, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps, preferably in the order mentioned: Providing a metal tube having a cavity extending along its length; forming at least one locking structure on the outside of the tube at at least one end, without creating an opening to the tube's cavity; filling the cavity with a solid, but loose, reinforcing granulate; fitting a plug (tight or with openings) comprising a binding material (in particular, a metallic solder) to at least one end of the tube to close the cavity at that end; heating the tube and thus the plug of binding material such that the binding material melts and flows into the reinforcing granulate within the tube's cavity; subsequently cooling the tube and thus the binding material to solidify the binding material so that the reinforcing granulate is permanently embedded in the binding material.

[0044] This allows the shackle to be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner. The features and embodiments mentioned in connection with the shackle lock according to the invention can also be provided in the manufacturing process. For example, the (reinforcing) granulate can again comprise a large number of particles of high hardness, and the binding material can, in particular, include a solder.

[0045] After the binding material melts and solidifies, it can assume any desired shape or structure to securely fix the granules in place. In particular, the binding material can form a cohesive bond with the granules and the pipe, so that the entire reinforcing filling is permanently attached to the inside of the pipe.

[0046] The filling of the reinforcing material or reinforcing granules and the binding material into the cavity can be done from at least one end of the pipe, in the case of a U-shape in particular from two ends.

[0047] In some embodiments, the heating and subsequent cooling of the binding material can be carried out in such a way that the metal of the tube is simultaneously hardened. Suitable heating and quenching temperatures and durations can be provided for this purpose.

[0048] In the case of a U-shaped bracket, the process can also include bending the tube essentially into a U-shape. The tube bending step can be performed before the reinforcing compound is added. A reverse sequence is also possible, in which case the binding material can be heated to a highly viscous state.

[0049] After heating and cooling the binding material, the bracket can be straightened and / or finished (for example, by coating or varnishing).

[0050] The invention is explained below only by way of example with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a U-lock. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through one leg of the U-shackle of the U-lock according to... Fig. 1 along level II-II.

[0051] The in Fig. 1 The padlock shown comprises an elongated lock body 11 and a shackle, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a U-shackle 31. The lock body 11 has two insertion openings 13 on its outer surface, which open into two insertion channels 15 in the interior of the lock body 11. Inside the lock body 11 is a locking device 17, which in the illustrated embodiment has a locking cylinder 19 and two bolts 21, which can be selectively engaged by means of the locking cylinder 19 in a Fig. 1 The locking position shown can be moved.

[0052] The U-shaped temple 31 has two temple ends 33, which are in a Fig. 1 In the closed position shown, the U-bolt 31 projects through the insertion openings 13 of the lock body 11 and into the insertion channels 15 of the lock body 11. The U-bolt 31 has a substantially U-shaped tube 35 made of hardened steel. In the embodiment shown here, the tube 35 has a circular cross-section and is hollow cylindrical. Accordingly, the tube 35 comprises a continuous cavity 37 extending along its entire longitudinal extent. The tube 35 has a substantially constant outer diameter and a substantially constant wall thickness along its entire longitudinal extent. The wall thickness of the tube 35 is approximately one quarter of the outer diameter of the tube 35, as can also be seen from Fig. 2 as is evident.

[0053] The cavity 37 of the tube 35 contains a reinforcing filling 51, which comprises granules 53 embedded in a binding material 55. The granules 53 consist of a variety of irregularly shaped particles, in particular particles of higher hardness than those of the tube 35, for example made of hard metal or ceramic. The binding material 55 comprises a solder, for example a metallic solder.

[0054] The U-shaped bracket 31 has a locking structure at each of its two bracket ends 33 in the form of a locking recess 39, which is formed on the outside of the tube 35. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing filling 51 extends approximately to the level of the locking recesses 39. The locking recesses 39 are designed as closed recesses, i.e., they do not form a through opening to the cavity 37 of the tube 35.

[0055] The U-bolt 31 can be removed from the lock body 11 in an unlocked position of the bolts 21 (not shown) (open position). However, when the U-bolt 31 assumes the closed position and the bolts 21 of the locking device 17 are in their respective locked positions, as shown in Fig. 1 As shown, the U-bolt 31 is locked to the lock body 11. For this purpose, the bolts 21 engage in the respective locking recesses 39 of the U-bolt 31 and the tube 35, respectively, thus preventing the U-bolt 31 from being removed from the lock body 11.

[0056] The U-lock shown is characterized by a high level of resistance to forced entry. Due to the metal construction of the tube 35 of the U-shackle 31, the U-shackle 31 possesses high tensile strength. This tensile strength is not significantly reduced in the U-shackle 31 shown by the locking recesses 39 of the tube 35, since the locking recesses 39 do not form through openings but are entirely within the wall of the tube 35. At the same time, the reinforcing filling 51 in the cavity 37 of the tube 35, due to the granules 53 it contains, provides a high level of protection against sawing and grinding.

[0057] Regarding the illustrated embodiment, it should be noted that the locking recesses 39 can also be designed as annular grooves. Instead of locking recesses 39, locking protrusions (e.g., webs) or combinations of locking recesses 39 and locking protrusions can also be provided, which can be formed, for example, by punching. In the case of creating a locking protrusion by punching, the tube 35 (e.g., wall thickness) and the punching process (e.g., tool, insertion depth, direction, force) are coordinated such that the locking protrusion does not form an opening to the cavity 37 of the tube 35 in its vicinity.

[0058] Instead of a U-shaped bracket 31, a differently curved bracket or a straight bracket may also be provided, and / or the bracket may be designed in multiple parts, as is generally known from the aforementioned documents. In such embodiments, the geometry of the bracket end 33, the locking structure or locking recess 39, and the locking bar 21 interacting therewith may be similar to area A according to [reference to relevant document]. Fig. 1 be trained. Reference symbol list

[0059] 11 Lock body 13 Insertion opening 15 Insertion channel 17 Locking device 19 Lock cylinder 21 Bolt 31 U-bolt 33 Bolt end 35 Tube 37 Cavity 39 Locking recess 51 Reinforcement filling 53 Granules 55 Binding material

Claims

1. A hoop lock, in particular for a two-wheeled vehicle, having a lock body (11) and a hoop (31), wherein the lock body (11) comprises at least one introduction opening (13) which opens into an introduction passage (15), wherein the lock body (11) further comprises a locking device (17), wherein the hoop (31) can be selectively brought into an open position or a closed position with respect to the lock body (11), wherein the hoop (31) comprises at least one hoop end (33) which, in the closed position of the hoop (31), protrudes through the introduction opening (13) into the introduction passage (15) of the lock body (11), wherein, in the closed position, the hoop (31) is lockable at the lock body (11) by the locking device (17), wherein the hoop (31) comprises a tube (35) formed of metal and having a cavity (37) which extends in a longitudinal direction of the tube (35) and in which a reinforcing filling (51) is disposed, wherein the reinforcing filling (51) comprises a granulate (53) embedded in a binding material (55), wherein, in the closed position of the hoop (31), starting from the exposed section of the hoop (31), the reinforcing filling (51) extends at least up to the height of the introduction opening (13) of the lock body (11), wherein the at least one hoop end (33) comprises at least one locking structure (39) for a locking engagement with the locking device (17), characterized in that the locking structure (39) is formed at an outer side of the tube (35) without forming an opening to the cavity (37) of the tube (35).

2. A hoop lock according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing filling (51) extends from a central section of the hoop (31) at least up to the height of the at least one locking structure (39).

3. A hoop lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hoop end (33) at the height of the locking structure (39) has no additional reinforcing element, in particular no insert, in the cavity (37) of the tube (35).

4. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (35) of the hoop (31) is formed of hardened steel or self-hardening steel; and / or wherein the tube (35) of the hoop (31) has a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section, in particular a square or elongated rectangular cross-section; and / or wherein the hoop (31) is formed as a U-hoop (31), wherein the tube (35) is substantially U-shaped.

5. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (35) of the hoop (31) has a wall thickness which is at least a quarter, in particular at least a third, of the outer diameter of the tube (35); and / or wherein the tube (35) of the hoop (31) has a constant outer diameter and / or a constant wall thickness and / or a constant inner diameter over the entire length of the hoop (31).

6. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (37) of the tube (35) extends to the at least one hoop end (33) of the hoop (31); and / or wherein the cavity (37) of the tube (35) extends over the entire length of the hoop (31).

7. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the granulate (53) of the reinforcing filling (51) comprises hard metal particles and / or ceramic particles; wherein the particles in particular have an irregular shape.

8. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the granulate (53) of the reinforcing filling (51) has a grain size in the range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular in the range from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

9. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner diameter of the tube (35) is larger than the granularity of the granulate (53) by a factor in the range from 2 to 3.

10. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the binding material (55) comprises a solder, in particular a metallic solder.

11. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a boundary surface of the cavity (37) of the tube (35) has a roughened or drawn surface at least in the region of the reinforcing filling (51).

12. A hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (17) comprises at least one movable latch (21), wherein the hoop (31), in the locked position, is lockable at the lock body (11) in that the at least one latch (21) is moved into a locking position in which the at least one latch (21) is in the locking engagement with the at least one locking structure (39) of the hoop (31); and / or wherein the at least one locking structure (39) of the hoop (31) is formed by a locking recess (39).

13. A method of manufacturing a hoop (31) for a hoop lock according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - providing a tube (35) formed of metal and having a cavity (37) extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube (35); - forming, at least at one end of the tube (35), at least one locking structure (39) at an outer side of the tube (35) without forming an opening to the cavity (37) of the tube (35); - filling a reinforcing filling (51) into the cavity (37) which comprises a mixture of a granulate (53) and a binding material (55) in loose form; - heating and subsequently cooling the binding material (55) in order to initially liquefy and subsequently solidify the binding material (55) so that the granulate (53) is fixedly embedded in the binding material (55).

14. A method of manufacturing a hoop (31) for a hoop lock according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: - providing a tube (35) formed of metal and having a cavity (37) extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube (35); - forming, at least at one end of the tube (35), at least one locking structure (39) at an outer side of the tube (35) without forming an opening to the cavity (37) of the tube (35); - filling a reinforcing granulate (53) into the cavity (37) in a solid but loose form; - filling a heated binding material (55) into the cavity (37) in liquid form; - subsequently cooling the binding material (55) in order to solidify the binding material (55) so that the reinforcing granulate (53) is fixedly embedded in the binding material (55).

15. A method of manufacturing a hoop (31) for a hoop lock according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: - providing a tube (35) formed of metal and having a cavity (37) extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube (35); - forming, at least at one end of the tube (35), at least one locking structure (39) at an outer side of the tube (35) without forming an opening to the cavity (37) of the tube (35); - filling a reinforcing granulate (53) into the cavity (37) in a solid but loose form; - applying a stopper comprising a binding material (55) to at least one end of the tube (35) in order to close the cavity (37) at that end; - heating the tube (35) and thus the stopper of binding material (55) such that the binding material (55) melts and flows into the reinforcing granulate (53); - subsequently cooling the tube (35) and thus the binding material (55) in order to solidify the binding material (55) so that the reinforcing granulate (53) is fixedly embedded in the binding material (55).

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