padlock

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a padlock (1) configured to be selectively lockable by a first lock (60) or by a second lock (70) coupled to the padlock (1), wherein the padlock (1) comprises a locking mechanism (100) comprising a cam arrangement (100) and a pair of locking elements (13a, 13b) arranged on opposite sides of the cam arrangement; wherein the cam arrangement (100) comprises one or more cam elements (110, 120), wherein at least one (110) of said one or more cam elements is configured to be rotatable about a reference axis (A), and wherein at least one (120) of said one or more cam elements is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis (A).

Description

[0001] PADLOCK

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The disclosure relates to a padlock comprising a lock body, a shackle having two shackle legs, a locking mechanism for locking the shackle to the lock body, wherein the padlock is configured to be selectively lockable by a first lock or by a second lock coupled to the locking mechanism.

[0004] Background

[0005] US 2021254370 discloses a padlock comprising a movably arranged shackle stop, a shackle that is movably mounted and a shackle stop receiver for receiving the shackle stop to immobilize the shackle. The padlock includes a shackle stop actuator that is pivotable around a laterally orientated pivot axis and comprises a lateral cam surface configured to outwardly move the shackle stop into receipt by the shackle stop receiver. The padlock includes a body configured to simultaneously receive a plurality of cylinder locks for actuation of the shackle stop actuator by any one of the plurality of cylinder locks.

[0006] However, this padlock of the prior art may become inoperable if one of the cylinder locks become defective, which could risk introducing a jam in the locking mechanism. Moreover, it may be considered bulky since it requires the two cylinders to be disposed along a depth dimension of the padlock. Also, replacement of the shackle may be considered cumbersome. There is thus a need in the art for an improved padlock.

[0007] Summary of invention

[0008] It is an object to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above mentioned problem.

[0009] According to a first aspect there is provided a padlock having a first padlock end and a second padlock end, said padlock comprising: a lock body extending from the first padlock end; a shackle extending from the second padlock end, said shackle having a pair of shackle legs; a locking mechanism comprising a cam arrangement and a pair of locking elements arranged on opposite sides of the cam arrangement; a first lock coupled to said locking mechanism; and an engagement interface coupled to said locking mechanism wherein said engagement interface is configured to be engageable with a second lock mountable on the padlock; wherein the cam arrangement extends along a reference axis which is defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end, and comprises one or more cam elements, wherein at least one of said one or more cam elements is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis, and wherein at least one of said one or more cam elements is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis, wherein said one or more cam elements comprises a first, a second and a third pair of cam portions, wherein the cam portions of each pair of cam portions are arranged opposite to each other on the one or more cam elements, and wherein the cam arrangement is structured and arranged such that:

[0010] - when the locking mechanism is in a locked state, the first pair of cam portions faces the locking elements and retains the same to protrude into respective locking element recesses formed in respective shackle legs of the pair of shackle legs to keep the padlock locked;

[0011] - when the locking mechanism is in a first unlocked state, the second pair of cam portions faces the locking elements and provides a clearance that allow the locking elements to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses to keep the padlock unlocked; and

[0012] - when the locking mechanism is in a second unlocked state, the third pair of cam portions faces the locking elements and provides a clearance that allows the locking elements to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses to keep the padlock unlocked, and wherein the cam arrangement is configured to be transformable:

[0013] - between the locked state and the first unlocked state, along a first transformation, in response to a selective unlocking of one of said first and second locks, and

[0014] - between the locked state and the second unlocked state, along a second transformation, in response to a selective unlocking of another one of said first and second locks; and wherein said first transformation includes a rotation, about said reference axis, of said at least one cam element which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis, and wherein said second transformation includes a displacement, along said reference axis, of said at least one cam element which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis.

[0015] The padlock may be advantageous as it provides a space-efficient locking mechanism. This is achieved by the provision of one common cam arrangement disposed centrally along the reference axis of the padlock. The cam arrangement is actuatable, selectively, by the first lock and the second lock, respectively. This may be achieved through other parts of the locking mechanism located in between the cam arrangement and the first and second locks, thereby allowing a flexibility in where the first and second locks are located within the padlock.

[0016] A further advantage of the padlock is reliability. By the provision of the common centrally disposed cam arrangement which operates based on a combination of rotation and axial displacement, there is a low risk of mechanical jam. Also, the locking mechanism can be made resilient to mechanical jam as a result from operating the first and the second locks at the same time.

[0017] As used herein, the first padlock end is defined at a bottom end of the padlock. The first and second locks are typically accessed at the first padlock end. The first padlock end is defined on the lock body. The second padlock end is defined opposite to the first padlock end. The second padlock end is defined at a top end of the padlock. The second padlock end is defined on the shackle. The lock body does not extend to the second end, and the shackle does not extend to the first padlock end.

[0018] The reference axis is defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end. As used herein, the reference axis defines a axis in space only. Thus, the reference axis does not in itself have a direction. When a direction is defined the terminology will be e.g. “...along the reference axis in a direction defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end”.

[0019] The cam arrangement may be embodied in many different ways to achieve the claimed positions of the first, second and third cam portions in the claimed states of the locking mechanisms. This will be further elaborated upon below.

[0020] The cam arrangement may be embodied in different ways resulting in different displacement directions.

[0021] The at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis may be closer to the shackle when the locking arrangement is in the locked stage than when the locking arrangement is in the second unlocked state. For such embodiments, the displacement of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable may follow a direction defined from the second padlock end towards the first padlock end when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the second unlocked state along the second transformation.

[0022] Alternatively, the at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis may be closer to the lock body when the locking arrangement is in the locked stage than when the locking arrangement is in the second unlocked state. For such embodiments, the displacement of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable may follow a direction defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the second unlocked state along the second transformation.

[0023] The cam arrangement may be embodied in different ways resulting in different rotational directions.

[0024] The at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis may follow an anticlockwise rotational direction as seen along the reference axis when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the first unlocked state along the first transformation.

[0025] Alternatively, the at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis may follow a clockwise rotational direction as seen along the reference axis when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the first unlocked state along the first transformation.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the one or more cam elements is a single cam element. For such embodiments, said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis, and said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis will constitute one and the same element, namely said single cam element. This implies that the single cam element comprises the first pair of cam portions, the second pair of cam portions and the third pair of cam portions.

[0027] The single cam element may have an upper portion and a lower portion, as seen along the reference axis in a direction defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end. The first pair of cam portions may be arranged at opposite sides of the lower portion along a first direction being transverse to said reference axis, and the second pair of cam portions may be arranged at opposite sides of the lower portion along a second direction being transverse to said reference axis. This implies that a rotation of the single cam element may achieve a transformation from the locked state at which the first pair of cam portions faces the locking elements, to the first unlocked state at which the second pair of cam portions faces the locking elements. The first and second directions may be transverse to each other. For such embodiments, a transformation between the locked state and the first unlocked state may be achieved by rotating the single cam element by 90 degrees. However, it is also conceivable that the first and second directions for an oblique angle with each other, such as e.g. 70 degrees, or 110 degrees. The third cam portions may be arranged at opposite sides of the upper portion along a third direction being transverse to said reference axis. If the third direction is parallel with the first direction, the transformation from the locked state to the second unlocked state may be achieved by an axial displacement of the single cam element only. The third direction may form an angle with the first direction in a reference plane being orthogonal to the reference axis. For such embodiments, a transformation from the locked state to the second unlocked state may be achieved by a combination of an axial displacement and a rotation of the single cam element.

[0028] For embodiment having a single cam element, the locking mechanism may be configured to selectively rotate, and to axially displace, the single cam element. This may be achieved by many alternative mechanical transmission systems known to the person skilled in the art. Examples of such mechanical transmission systems include toothed racks, common gears etc. This invention should not be construed as limited to particular mechanical transmission systems in this respect. The essence of the invention lies in the three pair of cam portions of the cam arrangement which allows providing the first transformation defined between the locked state and the first unlocked state, and the second transformation defined between the locked state and the second unlocked state, respectively.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the one or more cam elements comprises a first cam element and a second cam element.

[0030] The provision of two individual cam elements may be beneficial as it increases the level of freedom for the locking mechanism, thereby allowing to improve reliability and efficiency thereof. Where the single cam element by necessity needs to constitute both “said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis” and “said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis”, the provision of two individual cam elements removes the need for one element to perform both movements.

[0031] There are many alternative ways of designing a cam arrangement based on two cam elements within the scope of the claims. For some embodiments, the two cam elements may be arranged to be rotatable together, and one of the two cam elements may, additionally, be arranged to be displaceable. For some embodiments, only one of the two cam elements may be arranged to be rotatable. For some embodiments, one cam element may be configured to be stationary and the other cam element may be configured to be both rotatable and displaceable.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the first cam element is rotatably arranged within the locking mechanism, and the second cam element is axially displaceably arranged within the locking mechanism.

[0033] This may be advantageous as it allows providing a more robust and compact locking mechanism. Here, only the first cam element needs to be actively rotated, and only the second cam element needs to be actively displaced.

[0034] The second cam element may be arranged to be displaceable along the reference axis. The first cam element may be arranged to be rotatable about the reference axis. The second cam element may be slidably arranged within the locking mechanism.

[0035] The second cam element may have a cross-sectional shape as seen transverse to the reference axis which cross-sectional shape geometrically complements a cross-sectional shape of an inner opening of the first cam element. The second cam element may be arranged within said opening of the first cam element. The opening of the first cam element may be a through- bore. The cross-sectional profile of the second cam element may be noncircular. This may be advantageous as it allows to rotationally lock the second cam element in relation to the first cam element, thus ensuring that the first cam element and the second cam element are rotating together.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the second cam element is rotationally locked to the first cam element for allowing the second cam element to rotate with the first cam element.

[0037] This may be advantageous as it allows automatically transforming the effective shape of the second cam element at the positions of the locking elements when rotating the first cam element.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the first cam element is a sleeve element and the second cam element is a piston element, wherein the second cam element comprises said first pair of cam portions and said third pair of cam portions, and wherein the first cam element comprises said second pair of cam portions.

[0039] This may be advantageous as it allows performing said first transformation which involves switching, at the locking elements, between the first pair of cam portions and the second pair of cam portions by rotating the first cam element in relation to the locking elements, and said second transformation which involves switching, at the locking elements, between the first pair of cam portions and the third pair of cam portions by displacing said second cam element in relation to the sleeve element.

[0040] The second cam element may be, at least partly, enclosed by the first cam element.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a first transmission mechanism which includes at least a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the first transmission mechanism is configured to transform a rotational movement of the lower portion into an axial movement of the upper portion, wherein the upper portion engages with the second cam element to control an axial displacement thereof, and wherein the lower portion is configured to be rotationally coupled with the second lock mountable on the padlock.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the lower portion of the first transmission system presents said engagement interface configured to be engageable with said second lock mountable on the padlock. This implies that for these embodiments the second lock directly engages the lower portion.

[0043] Alternatively, the engagement interface configured to be engageable with the second lock mountable on the padlock may be located on another part of the padlock and rotationally coupled to the lower portion.

[0044] The first transmission mechanism may be advantageous as it allows transforming a rotational movement of a lock, such as the first lock or the second lock, into a translational movement which is required to control the second cam element.

[0045] Although disclosed here in relation to a cam arrangement having a first and a second cam element, it is conceivable to provide the first transition mechanism for controlling the movement of a cam arrangement having a single cam element. For such embodiments, the upper portion may engage with the single cam element to control an axial displacement thereof.

[0046] According to some embodiments, one of the lower portion and the upper portion comprises a helical recess, or through-opening, and another one of the lower portion and the upper portion comprises a guiding element, wherein the upper portion is rotatably locked in relation to the lock body and arranged to be displaceable along the reference axis, and wherein the guiding element protrudes into the helical recess, or through-opening.

[0047] The provision of a helical recess, or through-opening, may be an efficient way of providing a rotational to translational conversion with a conversion ratio suitable for a lock, such as a mechanical lock. A helix is a three-dimensional spiral form starting from a curve and twisting around an axis in a screw-like shape. By adjusting the helix angle of the helical recess, or through-opening, an appropriate axial displacement may be provided for a rotational angle typical of a lock. The helical recess, or through-opening, may be structured such that an angular rotation of 110 to 180 degrees between the upper portion and the lower portion results in an axial displacement of 4 to 8 mm between the upper portion and the lower portion. For some embodiments, the helical recess, or through-opening, is structured such that an angular rotation of 125 to 145 degrees between the upper portion and the lower portion results in an axial displacement of 6 to 7 mm between the upper portion and the lower portion. For some embodiments, the helical recess, or through-opening, is structured such that an angular rotation of about 135 degrees between the upper portion and the lower portion results in an axial displacement of about 6.5 mm between the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0048] The lower portion may be rotationally movable in relation to the lock body. The lower portion may be axially locked in relation to the lock body. The upper portion may be axially movable in relation to the lock body. The upper portion may be rotationally locked in relation to the lock body. The lower portion and the upper portion may be rotatably and axially movable in relation to each other.

[0049] The helical recess, or through-opening, may be provided in the lower portion, and the guiding element may be provided in the upper portion.

[0050] The lower portion may protrude into the upper portion. The lower portion and the upper portion may be slidably arranged in relation to each other.

[0051] According to some embodiments, the helical recess, or through- opening, is provided in the lower portion, and the guiding element is provided in the upper portion, and wherein the lower portion protrudes into the upper portion.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the second cam element is spring biased towards the upper portion and forced to be in abutment therewith.

[0053] The spring biasing may be achieved by a mechanical spring in engagement with the second cam element at a first end of the mechanical spring, and in engagement with the lock body at a second, opposite, end of the mechanical spring.

[0054] According to some embodiments, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a second transmission mechanism which includes an engagement member and a connecting rod having first and second ends, wherein the engagement member is rotationally coupled to the first lock, and wherein the first end of the connecting rod is pivotably connected to the engagement member and the second padlock end of the connecting rod is pivotably connected to the first cam element.

[0055] This may be advantageous as it allows a simple and space efficient transmission mechanism. The use of a connecting rod allows the second transmission mechanism to rotationally connect elements which are arranged to rotate along two rotational axes which are spaces apart. In other words, the second transmission mechanism according to the embodiment may be suitable for connecting a lock arranged in a periphery of the lock body with the cam arrangement which is arranged along a center axis of the lock body.

[0056] According to some embodiments, wherein the first cam element comprises a pair of protrusions which extend along the reference axis in a direction defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end, and wherein the second pair of cam portions are defined on said pair of protrusions.

[0057] The protrusions may be arranged on opposite sides of the second cam element when the locking arrangement is in the locked state. The protrusions may be shaped such that the second pair of cam portions presents a concave surface arranged to face the locking elements.

[0058] According to some embodiments, one or more pairs selected from the second pair of cam portions and the third pair of cam portions are asymmetrically shaped such that, when the locking mechanism is in an associated state selected from the first unlocked state and the second unlocked state, respectively, a distance between a first cam portion of a pair and its respective locking element recess is smaller than a distance between a second cam portion of said pair and its respective locking element recess.

[0059] The asymmetrical shape may be advantageous since it allows retaining the shackle within the lock body also when the padlock is unlocked. The smaller distances prevent the first locking element from completely entering the locking element bore of the lock body main structure when the locking mechanism is in the first and second unlocked state, respectively. By an appropriate design of the shackle, the first locking element may be configured to engage with the shackle to allow an axial movement along the reference direction between a locked and an unlocked state of the padlock, while preventing any further axial movement along the reference direction which could cause the shackle to become disengaged with the lock body.

[0060] According to some embodiments, wherein said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis comprises said first pair of cam portions, wherein said first pair of cam portions presents respective cam grooves arranged substantially transverse to the reference axis, wherein a displacement of said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable will follow a direction defined from the second padlock end towards the first padlock end when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the second unlocked state, and wherein the locking arrangement is configured such that, when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, said cam grooves will be positioned closer to the first padlock end than the locking elements.

[0061] This may be advantageous as it provides a natural locking function aimed at preventing an unwanted displacement of said at least one of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis. The locking functions operates as follows: If the shackle is forced in a direction away from the lock body when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, the respective locking element recesses will be forced to move in relation to the respective locking elements, hence exerting forces on the locking elements which forces will be directed inwardly towards the first pair of cam portions which are located between the locking elements. The inwardly directed forces exerted onto the first pair of cam portions by the locking elements will, by the provision of the cam grooves, be transformed into an axial force. This is a result from the cam grooves being positioned closer to the first padlock end than the locking elements. Thus, as the locking elements is pressed towards the first pair of cam portions, the locking elements will first come into abutment with an upper side of the cam grooves. This, in turn, will force the first pair of cam portions in a direction away from the first padlock end thereby actively preventing the second cam element to be displaced in the other direction towards the first padlock end which could risk the locking mechanism to transform to the second unlocked state, thereby unlocking the padlock.

[0062] For embodiments where the displacement of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable will follow a direction defined from the first padlock end towards the second padlock end when the cam arrangement is transformed from the locked state to the second unlocked state, the opposite geometrical relationship exist. For such embodiments, the locking arrangement is configured such that, when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, said cam grooves will be positioned closer to the second padlock end than the locking elements.

[0063] According to some embodiments, the first lock is arranged within a lock body module which is releasably attachable to the lock body.

[0064] This may be advantageous as it allows to manufacture the padlock in a more flexible manner. It may further facilitate replacement of the first lock e.g. in case of malfunction thereof.

[0065] The lock body module may have different dimensions and / or shapes dependent on the dimensions of the second lock. It is also conceivable to provide further lock body modules to be added in combination with the lock body module. As an example, a further lock body module may be inserted together with the lock body module to provide a smaller form factor suitable to house a smaller second lock. This may be advantageous as it allows mounting second locks of different dimensions within the same lock body module just by combining with an appropriately shaped further lock body module.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the second lock is a further padlock, and wherein said engagement interface which is configured to be engageable with said second lock mountable on the padlock is structured and arranged to be engageable by the further padlock.

[0067] This may be advantageous as it allows a simplified and less expensive use of the padlock. By the provision of an engagement interface structured and arranged to be engageable by a further padlock, any further padlock having the suitable dimensions may be used as the second lock, and there is no need for more expensive solutions, such as e.g. a mechanical or an electromechanical lock. Further, replacement of the second lock may be considerably simplified.

[0068] As used herein, the terms “padlock” and the term “further padlock” defines two different padlocks. The term “padlock” defines the claimed padlock which is configured to be selectively lockable by a first lock or by a second lock, whereas the term “further padlock” defines an additional padlock which could in some embodiments be used as the second lock on the padlock. Any reference to “the padlock” herein always refers to the claimed padlock which is configured to be selectively lockable by a first lock or by a second lock, and any reference to “the further padlock” herein always refers to the additional padlock which could be used as the second lock.

[0069] According to some embodiments, the engagement interface comprises a first locking portion which is arranged to be stationary in relation to the lock body, and a second locking portion which is rotationally coupled to the locking mechanism, wherein the first locking portion presents a first through-hole and the second locking portion presents a second through-hole, wherein the further padlock is engageable to the engagement interface by inserting a shackle of the further padlock into the first and second through-holes so as to rotationally lock the second locking portion in relation to the first locking portion.

[0070] This solution provides a cost-effective, durable, and safe rotational locking and is suitable for a vast range of dimensions and designs of the further padlock.

[0071] According to some embodiments, the padlock further comprises a connecting cylinder rotationally arranged within the padlock, wherein the connecting cylinder couples to said locking mechanism at a first end thereof and presents said second locking portion at a second end thereof.

[0072] The connecting cylinder may be configured to engage with the engagement interface of the lower portion of the first transmission mechanism.

[0073] According to some embodiments, the padlock further comprises a padlock module and the connecting cylinder is rotationally arranged within the padlock module.

[0074] For some of the embodiments of the padlock which comprises a lock body module which is releasably attachable to the lock body, the padlock module is arranged within the lock body module.

[0075] This design may be advantageous as it allows using different types of second locks on the padlock. By providing a padlock module having the same form factor as a commonly used form factor for replaceable mechanical or electromechanical locks, this embodiment allows swapping between using a further padlock and using a conventional locking cylinder on the padlock. Thus, the solution provides more versatility.

[0076] As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the engagement interface configured to be engageable with the second lock mountable on the padlock is for these embodiments located on another part of the padlock and rotationally coupled to the lower portion. However, the padlock may alternatively be structured such that the lower portion of the first transmission mechanism presents the engagement interface configured to be engageable with said second lock mountable on the padlock. For such embodiments, the padlock module and / or connecting cylinder may be omitted, and the further padlock may be directly engaging the lower portion.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the first lock is an electromechanical lock.

[0078] Such an electromechanical lock may be configured to be operated by a programmable key, in the form of a physical programmable key configured to be inserted into a key receptacle of an electromechanical lock cylinder of the first lock, or in the form of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, which mobile device is configured to communicate with a lock core rotation device of the first lock. Alternatively, the first lock may be a mechanical lock.

[0079] According to some embodiments, wherein the cam arrangement is arranged symmetrically within the lock body along the reference axis and wherein said first lock is arranged asymmetrically within the lock body at a radial distance from said reference axis.

[0080] This may be advantageous as it allows more space for the second lock. The provision of the off-axis first lock allows for the central portion of the lock body as well as the peripheral portion located opposite to the first lock to be available for the second lock. This in turn allows to use a second lock having larger lock bodies.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the padlock further comprises a second lock coupled to said engagement interface, and wherein the second lock is a mechanical lock, or an electromechanical lock.

[0082] The padlock according to the disclosure may thus comprise a first lock and a second lock. However, as evident from the appended claims, the padlock of the disclosure may, alternatively, comprise only the first lock. For such embodiments, the padlock is equipped with the engagement interface which is configured to be engageable with the second lock which is mountable on the padlock. The embodiments may serve different use cases, as will be described later in the detailed description. It is noted that the inventive concepts relate to all possible combinations of features unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0083] A further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0084] Hence, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described as such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0085] Brief descriptions of the drawings

[0086] The disclosure will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, which shows presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure.

[0087] Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a padlock according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] Figure 1 B is a front view of the padlock according to the embodiment of Fig 1A.

[0089] Figure 1 C is a bottom view of the padlock according to the embodiment of Fig. 1A.

[0090] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the padlock of Figs 1 A to 1 C illustrating the modular design of the padlock. The lock body have been removed for clarity.

[0091] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a locking mechanism and a shackle of the padlock of Figs 1 A to 1 C.

[0092] Figure 3B is another perspective view of the locking mechanism and the shackle illustrated in Fig. 3A.

[0093] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the locking mechanism and the shackle illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B.

[0094] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism and the shackle illustrated in Figs 3A to 3C.

[0095] Figure 5A to 5E are perspective views of the padlock of Figs 1 A to 1 C, 2, 3A to 3C and 4 where the lock body has been partly removed to illustrate the interior parts.

[0096] Figure 5A illustrates the padlock of Figs 1A to 1 C, 2, and 3A to 3C when the locking mechanism is in the locked state.

[0097] Figure 5B illustrates the padlock of Fig. 5A during a transformation of the cam arrangement between the locked state and a first unlocked state (termed herein: the first transformation) in response to a selective unlocking of a first lock of the padlock.

[0098] Figure 5C illustrates the padlock of Fig. 5A when the cam arrangement has reached the first unlocked state.

[0099] Figure 5D illustrates the padlock of Fig. 5A when the locking elements leave the locking element recesses whereby the padlock will become unlocked.

[0100] Figure 5E is a cross sectional view along X1-X1 of Fig. 5D.

[0101] Figure 6A to 6D are perspective views of the padlock of Figs 1 A to 1 C, 2, 3A to 3C and 4 where the lock body has been partly removed to illustrate the interior parts.

[0102] Figure 6A illustrates the padlock of Figs 1 A to 1 C, 2, 3A to 3C and 4 when the locking mechanism is in the locked state.

[0103] Figure 6B is the same view as Fig. 6A but where a first cam element has been removed to increase clarity.

[0104] Figure 6C illustrates the padlock of Fig. 6A during a transformation of the cam arrangement between a locked state and a second unlocked state (termed herein: the second transformation) in response to a selective unlocking of a second lock coupled to the padlock.

[0105] Fig. 6D illustrates the padlock of Fig. 6A when the cam arrangement of the locking mechanism has reached the second unlocked state.

[0106] Fig. 6E illustrates the padlock of Fig. 6A when the locking elements leave the locking element recesses whereby the padlock will become unlocked.

[0107] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the second cam element in relation to the locking elements when the locking mechanism is in the locket state for the embodiment of the cam arrangement of Figs 1 A to 1 C, 2, 3A to 3C and 4.

[0108] Fig. 8A illustrates a cam arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure when the locking mechanism is in a locked state.

[0109] Fig. 8B illustrates the cam arrangement of Fig 8A when the locking mechanism is in a first unlocked state.

[0110] Fig. 8C illustrates the cam arrangement of Fig 8A when the locking mechanism is in a second unlocked state.

[0111] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a padlock according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. The lock body have been removed for clarity.

[0112] Fig. 10A is a front view of a padlock module and a further padlock of the embodiment of Fig. 9 when the padlock module is in a locked state.

[0113] Fig. 10B is a front view of the padlock module and the further padlock of the embodiment of Fig. 9 when the padlock module is in an unlocked state.

[0114] Detailed description

[0115] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0116] Figures 1A to 1 C and 2 illustrate a padlock 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The padlock 1 comprises a lock body 2, a shackle 12 having a pair of shackle legs (a first shackle leg 12a and second shackle leg 12b). The first shackle leg 12a is longer than the second shackle leg 12b. The padlock 1 extends from a first padlock end 1a to a second padlock end 1 b. The lock body 2 extends from the first padlock end 1a, and the shackle 12 extends from the second padlock end 1 b. This implies that the first padlock end 1a is defined on the lock body 2 and the second padlock end 1 b is defined on the shackle 12. The lock body 2 comprises a lock body main structure 8 and a lock body module 5 which is removably attached to the lock body main structure 8.

[0117] As illustrated in Figs 1 C and 2, the lock body main structure 8 has an opening 9 accessible from the first padlock end 1a which opening 9 is configured to house the lock body module 5. The lock body module 5 comprises a first lock 60 which in this embodiment is an electromechanical lock. The first lock 60 may however alternatively be a mechanical lock, or any other kind of lock suitable for use in a padlock 1 . The provision of the releasably attached lock body module 5 may allow to manufacture the padlock 1 in a more flexible manner. It may further facilitate replacement of the first lock 60 e.g. in case of malfunction thereof. The opening 9 of the lock body main structure 8 is larger than the lock body module 5 and consequently only occupies a first portion 9a of the opening 9 (see Fig. 1 C). As a result of this, a second portion 9b of the opening 9 will still remain when the lock body module 5 has been attached to the lock body main structure 8. This second portion 9b is configured to receive a second lock 70 mountable on the padlock 1 (see Fig. 2). The second lock 70 is in this embodiment a mechanical lock. The second lock 70 may however alternatively be an electromechanical lock, or any other kind of lock mountable onto the padlock. The lock body main structure 8 further comprises shackle bores 16a, 16b configured to receive and support the first shackle leg 12a and the second shackle leg 12b of the shackle 12. The lock body main structure 8 further comprises locking element bores 11a, 11 b for supporting a pair of locking elements 13a, 13b which forms a part of a locking mechanism 50 to be described later. The lock body main structure 8 further comprises a central bore 15 configured to receive and support a cam arrangement 100 also to be described later.

[0118] As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the lock body module 5 is fastened to the lock body main structure 8 via a bracket 7. During assembly, the bracket 7 is fastened to the second lock 70 by means of screws 7b engaging with threaded holes 72 of the second lock 70 to create an assembly 70, 7. When assembling the padlock 1 , the first step is to insert the lock body module 5 having the first lock 60 installed therein into the opening 9 and arrange the same to fill the first portion 9a, whereby the engagement interface 61 of the first lock 60 engages with the engagement member 151 . The assembly 70, 7 consisting of the second lock 70 and the bracket 7 is thereafter inserted into the opening 9 and arranged in its intended position which fills the second portion 9b, whereby the engagement interface 71 of the second lock 70 engages with the engagement interface 133. Thereafter, the assembly 70, 7 is fastened to the lock body main structure 8 by means of screw 7a which is inserted via shackle bore 16b. This operation is carried out when the padlock

[0119] I is unlocked an the shackle 12 is not protruding into shackle bore 16b. This arrangement prevents access to any one of the screws 7a, 7b when the padlock 1 is locked. By this arrangement, the lock body module 5 is clamped into its intended position by means of the second lock 70. Further fastening means (not shown) may however be provided to fasten the lock body module 5 to the lock body main structure 8.

[0120] The padlock 1 of Figs 1 A to 1 C and 2 is configured to be selectively lockable by the first lock 60 or by the second lock 70. In other words, the padlock 1 may be unlocked in two different ways: By actuating the first lock 60 without actuating the second lock 70, or by actuating the second lock 70 without actuating the first lock 60. In order to achieve this functionality, the padlock 1 comprises a locking mechanism 50 which comprises a cam arrangement 100 and a pair of locking elements 13a, 13b arranged on opposite sides of the cam arrangement 100. The locking mechanism 50 is coupled to the first lock 60 and configured to be coupled to the second lock 70 when mounted within on the padlock 1 . The pair of locking elements 13a, 13b are configured to mechanically lock, or unlock, the shackle 12 in relation to the lock body 2. This principle of mechanical locking is well known in the art of padlocks. The pair of locking elements 13a, 13b may be e.g. steel balls, or steel cylinders arranged to be movable within the locking element bores 11a,

[0121] I I b of the lock body main structure 8 in a manner well known to the person skilled in the art. The shackle 12 further comprises, on its first shackle leg 12a, axial groove 16 and circumferential groove 17. These features will be described later.

[0122] The cam arrangement 100 is structured and arranged to interact with the pair of locking elements 13a, 13b to control the locking state of the padlock 1 . This will be further elaborated upon in what follows with reference to Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a locking mechanism 50 with a preferred embodiment of a cam arrangement 100.

[0123] The cam arrangement 100, 200 of the disclosure may however be embodied in many different ways within the scope of the claims and the preferred embodiment is only representing one of these different ways. An alternative embodiment of the cam arrangement, namely cam arrangement 200, will be discussed at the end of this section with reference to Figs 8A to 8C.

[0124] As illustrated in Figs 3A to 3C, the cam arrangement 100 of the locking mechanism 50 extends along a reference axis A defined from the first padlock end 1a towards the second padlock end 1 b (see Fig 1A). The cam arrangement 100 comprises one or more cam elements 110, 120. At least one of 110 of said one or more cam elements 110, 120 is configured to be rotatable about the reference axis A, and at least one 120 of the one or more cam elements 110, 120 is configured to be displaceable along the reference axis A. The preferred embodiment of the cam arrangement illustrated in Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E comprises two cam elements, a first cam element 110 and a second cam element 120.

[0125] The one or more cam elements 110, 120 comprises a first 81 a, 81 b, a second 82a, 82b and a third 83a, 83b pair of cam portions. The cam portions 81a, 81 b, 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b of each pair of cam portions are arranged opposite to each other on the one or more cam elements 110, 120. For the preferred embodiment of the cam arrangement illustrated in Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E, the first cam element 110 comprises the second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b, and the second cam element 120 comprises the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81b and the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b.

[0126] The cam arrangement 100 is structured and arranged such that, when the locking mechanism 50 is in a locked state L (see Fig. 5A), the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81 b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b and retains the same to protrude into respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b formed in respective shackle legs 12a, 12b of the shackle 12 to keep the padlock 1 locked. This implies that the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81 b are spaced enough from each other to allow locking, or retaining, the locking elements 13a, 13b within the respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b.

[0127] The cam arrangement 100 is further structured and arranged such that, when the locking mechanism 50 is in a first unlocked state U1 (see Fig. 5C), the second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b and provides a clearance that allow the locking elements 13a, 13b to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b to keep the padlock 1 unlocked. This implies that the second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b are less spaced from each other than the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81 b, so as to allow the locking elements 13a, 13b to leave the respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b.

[0128] The cam arrangement 100 is further structured and arranged such that, when the locking mechanism 50 is in a second unlocked state U2 (see Fig. 6D), the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b and provides a clearance that allows the locking elements to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b to keep the padlock 1 unlocked. This implies that the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b are less spaced from each other than the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b, so as to allow the locking elements 13a, 13b to leave the respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b.

[0129] As best illustrated in the time sequence illustrated in Figs 5A to D and 6A to E, respectively, the cam arrangement 100 is configured to be transformable in two different ways. This is referred to herein as the first transformation T1 and the second transformation T2, respectively.

[0130] As illustrated in Figs 5A to 5D, the cam arrangement 100 is configured to be transformable between the locked state L (Fig. 5A) and the first unlocked state U1 (Fig. 5C), along a first transformation T1 (Fig. 5B), in response to a selective unlocking of one of the first 60 and second 70 locks. As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5B and C, the first transformation T1 includes a rotation R, about the reference axis A, of the at least one cam element 110 which is configured to be rotatable. For the preferred embodiment, the at least one cam element 110 which is configured to be rotatable is the first cam element 110, also termed herein “the sleeve element 110”, and the first transformation T1 is initiated in response to a selective unlocking of the first lock 60.

[0131] As illustrated in Figs 6A to 6E, the cam arrangement 100 is further configured to be transformable between the locked state L (Fig. 6A and B) and the second unlocked state U2 (Fig. 6D), along a second transformation T2 (Fig. 6C), in response to a selective unlocking of another one of the first 60 and second locks 70. As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6C and D, the second transformation T2 includes a displacement D, along the reference axis A, of the at least one cam element 120 which is configured to be displaceable. For the preferred embodiment, the at least one cam element 120 which is configured to be displaceable is the second cam element 120, also termed herein “the piston element 120”, and the second transformation T2 is initiated in response to a selective unlocking of the second lock 70.

[0132] The preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism 50 with its cam mechanism 100 will now be described in detail with reference to Figs 2, 3A to 3C and 4.

[0133] The first cam element 110 is rotatably arranged within the locking mechanism 50, and the second cam element 120 is slidably arranged within the locking mechanism 50. This allows the first cam element 110 to shift position using a rotational motion (rotation R) and the second cam element 120 to shift position using a translational motion (displacement D).

[0134] The second cam element 120 is rotationally locked to the first cam element 110 for allowing the second cam element 120 to rotate with the first cam element 110. The second cam element 120 thus acts as a piston, and can thus be regarded as a piston element 120. The second cam element 120 comprises the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b as well as the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b. These are located at different axial positions on the second cam element 120. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, an axial displacement D of the second cam element 120 in relation to the locking elements 13a, 13b thus allows shifting between a position where the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b, and a position where the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b. This is achieved by providing the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b and the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b axially separated from each other along the reference axis A on the first cam element 110. This defines the second transformation T2 described earlier which allows the locking mechanism 50 to transform between the locked state L and the second unlocked state U2.

[0135] The first cam element 110 is rotatably arranged in the locking mechanism 50 and at least partly encloses and supports the second cam element 120. Thus, the first cam element 110 may be regarded as a sleeve element 110. The first cam element 110 comprises the second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b. The second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b are defined on a pair of protrusions 111a, 111 b which extend along the reference axis A in a direction defined from the first padlock end 1 a towards the second padlock end 1 b. As can be seen in Figs 2, 3A to 3C and 4, the pair of protrusions 111 a, 111 b defines portions of a periphery of the first cam element 110, and are separated from each other along said periphery by openings 112 (see Fig. 4). As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, a rotation R of the first cam element 110 in relation to the locking elements 13a, 13b thus allows shifting between a position where the openings 112 faces the locking elements 13a, 13b, and a position where the protrusions 111 a, 111 b with its second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b. When the openings 112 faces the locking elements, the locking elements 13a, 13b are prevented from engagement with the first cam element 110 and will instead engage with the second cam element 120 which is disposed therein. In particular, this allows the locking elements 13a, 13b to engage with the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b and the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b, respectively. Thus, this rotational movement R defines the first transformation T1 described earlier which allows the locking mechanism 50 to transform between the locked state L and the first unlocked state U1 .

[0136] In order to control the above described rotation R of the first cam element 110 and displacement D of the second cam element 120 independently from each other, the locking mechanism 50 comprises a first transmission mechanism 130 and a second transmission mechanism 150, respectively. For the embodiment illustrated in Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E, the first transmission mechanism 130 is configured to control the displacement D of the second cam element 120 in response to an actuation of the second lock 70, whereas the second transmission mechanism 150 is configured to control the rotation R of the first cam element 110 in response to a selective actuation of the first lock 60.

[0137] The first transmission mechanism 130 is best illustrated in Fig. 3C and Fig. 4. The first transmission mechanism 130 includes a lower portion 132 and an upper portion 140, and is configured to transform a rotational movement of the lower portion 132 into an axial movement of the upper portion 140. The upper portion 140 engages with a shaft 121 of the second cam element 120 to control the axial displacement D of the second cam element 120, and the lower portion 132 presents an engagement interface 133 configured to be engageable with the second lock 70 mountable on the padlock 1 . The transformation from a rotational movement into an axial movement may be achieved by a helical coupling. To this end, one of the lower portion 132 and the upper portion 140 may comprise a helical recess, or a helical through-opening 134, and another one of the lower portion 132 and the upper portion 140 may comprise a guiding element 141. The upper portion 140 is rotatably locked in relation to the lock body 2 and arranged to be displaceable along the reference axis A, and the guiding element 141 may protrude into the helical recess, or helical through-opening 134. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, as the lower portion 132 is forced to rotate, in response to an actuation of the second lock 70, the guiding element 141 will engage with the helical recess, or helical through-opening 134, thereby exerting a force onto the upper portion 140. Since the upper portion 140 is rotatably locked in relation to the lock body 2, the force will be directed axially to allow displacing the upper portion 140 along the reference direction A. By adjusting the helix angle of the helical recess, or through- opening 134, an appropriate axial displacement may be provided for a rotational angle typical of a lock, such as the second lock 70. For the embodiment, the helical recess, or a helical through-opening 134, is structured such that an angular rotation of about 135 degrees between the upper portion 140 and the lower portion 132 results in an axial displacement of about 6.5 mm between the upper portion 140 and the lower portion 132. However, other helix angles are also conceivable.

[0138] For the embodiment illustrated in Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E, the helical coupling is achieved by a pair of oppositely arranged helical through-openings 134 provided in the lower portion 132, and a pair of oppositely arranged guiding elements 141 provided in the upper portion 140 mounted in through-openings 144 (see Fig. 4). The lower portion 132 protrudes into the upper portion 140. The lower portion 132 and the upper portion 140 are slidably arranged in relation to each other. This implies that the guiding elements 141 protrudes out from an inner surface of the upper portion 140 and protrudes into the helical through-openings 134 of the lower portion 132 present therein. This is best illustrated in Figs 3C and 4. The movement of the second cam element 120 is further controlled by spring 148 which biases the second cam element 120 towards the upper portion 140 so as to force the second cam element 120 to be in abutment with the upper portion 140 at all times. For the embodiment illustrated in Figs 2, 3A to 3C, 4, 5A to 5E, and 6A to 6E, this is achieved by spring 148 which is seated against the lock body main structure 8 at one end, and seated in opening 122 of the second cam element 120 at the other, opposite, end. To ensure that the upper portion 140 is rotationally locked in relation to the lock body 1 when the lower portion 132 rotates, the upper portion 140 is provided with a locking member 142 which protrudes radially outwardly from the upper portion 140 and is configured to engage with an axially arranged linear recess 10 of the lock body module 5 (see Fig. 2) of the lock body 2. To ensure that the mechanism is robust, the shaft 121 protrudes through the opening 143 of the upper portion and is axially locked thereto. The part of the shaft 121 which protrudes downwardly towards the lower portion 132 is allowed to be received in opening 136 of the lower portion 132 when the locking mechanism 50 is moved to the second unlocked state U2. In order for the shaft 121 to reach the lower portion 132, it is allowed to penetrate through the first cam element 110 via through-opening 113 (see Fig. 3C).

[0139] The second transmission mechanism 150 is best illustrated in Fig. 3B and Fig. 4. The second transmission mechanism 150 includes an engagement member 151 and a connecting rod 160. The connecting rod 160 has a first end 160a and a second end 160b. The engagement member 151 is rotationally coupled to the first lock 60. The first end 160a of the connecting rod 160 is pivotably connected to the engagement member 151 and the second end 160b of the connecting rod is pivotably connected to the first cam element 110. This implies that the connecting rod 160 is pivotably connected to the engagement member 151 at a pivot point radially offset from a rotational axis of the engagement member 151 , and that the connecting rod 160 is pivotably connected to the first cam element 110 a pivot point radially offset from a rotational axis of the first cam element 110 (i.e. the reference axis A). The use of a connecting rod 160 allows the second transmission mechanism 150 to rotationally connect elements which are arranged to rotate along two rotational axes which are spaces apart. This allows connecting the first lock 60 which is arranged in a periphery of the lock body 2 with the cam arrangement 100 which is arranged along the reference axis A of the lock body 2. This is indeed the case for the preferred embodiment. In particular, for the preferred embodiment, the cam arrangement 100 is arranged symmetrically within the lock body 1 along the reference axis A. The first lock 60 is however arranged asymmetrically within the lock body 2 at a radial distance RD from the reference axis A (see Fig 5A). As a user actuates the first lock 60, the engagement member 151 is forced to rotate therewith. This forces the connecting rod 160 to move thereby causing a rotation onto the first cam element 110.

[0140] As illustrated in Fig. 5C, the second pair of cam portions 82a, 82b are asymmetrically shaped such that, when the locking mechanism 50 is in the first unlocked state U1 , a distance X2a between cam portion 82a and locking element recess 14a is smaller than a distance X2b between cam portion 82b and locking element recess 14b. Similarly, and as illustrated in Fig. 6D, the third pair of cam portions 83a, 83b are asymmetrically shaped such that, when the locking mechanism 50 is in the second unlocked state U2, a distance X3a between cam portion 83a and locking element recess 14a is smaller than a distance X3b between cam portion 83b and locking element recess 14b. The asymmetrical shape may be advantageous since it allows retaining the shackle 12 within the lock body 2 also when the padlock is unlocked. The smaller distances X2a and X3a prevents the first locking element 13a from completely entering locking element bore 11a when the locking mechanism 50 is in the first U1 and second U2 unlocked state, respectively. The axial groove 16 provides room for the first locking element 13a when the shackle 12 is moved along the reference axis A along a direction defined from the first padlock end 1a towards the second padlock end 1 b to unlock the padlock 1 . The shackle 12 will then be in a position in relation to the lock body 2 where the first locking element 13a will engage with circumferential groove 17. This is illustrated in Fig. 6E. The circumferential groove 17 allows rotation of the shackle 12 in relation to the lock body 2, but prevents any further axial movement along the aforementioned direction.

[0141] As illustrated in Figs 4 and 7, the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b presents cam grooves 85 arranged substantially transverse to the reference axis A. The cam grooves 85 provide a natural locking function aimed at preventing an unwanted displacement of the second cam element 120 along said reference axis A. For embodiments where the displacement D of the axially displaceable cam element will follow a direction defined from the second padlock end 1 b towards the first padlock end 1 a when the cam arrangement 100 is transformed from the locked state L to the second unlocked state U2 (such as for the second cam element 120 of the embodiment illustrated in Figs 1 to 6), the locking arrangement 50 is configured such that, when the locking mechanism is in the locked state L, the cam grooves 85 are positioned closer to the first padlock end 1a than the locking elements 13a, 13b (see Fig. 7 where the first padlock end 1 a is located downwardly of the figure). In Fig. 7 this has been illustrated by symmetry lines F1 and F2. The symmetry line F1 intersects the geometrical centers of the two locking elements 13a, 13b, and the symmetry line F2 defines the symmetry plane for the cam grooves 85. Figure 7 clearly illustrates that F2 is closer to the first padlock end 1a than F1 . The locking function operates as follows: If the shackle 12 is forced in a direction away from the lock body 2 when the locking mechanism 50 is in the locked state L, the respective locking element recesses 14a, 14b will move in relation to the respective locking elements 13a, 13b, hence exerting forces on the same which are directed towards the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b which are located between the locking elements 13a, 13b. The inwardly directed forces exerted onto the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81 b by the locking elements 13a, 13b will, by the provision of the cam grooves 85, be transformed into an axial force. This is a result from the cam grooves 85 being positioned closer to the first padlock end 1a than the locking elements 13a, 13b. Thus, as the locking elements 13a, 13b is pressed towards the first pair of cam portions 81 a, 81 b, the locking elements 13a, 13b will first come into abutment with an upper side of the cam grooves 85. This, in turn, will force the first pair of cam portions 81a, 81 b in a direction away from the first padlock end 1a and towards the second padlock end 1 b, thereby actively preventing the second cam element 130 to be displaced in the other direction away from the second padlock end 1 b which could risk the locking mechanism 50 to transform to the second unlocked state U2, thereby unlocking the padlock.

[0142] The padlock 1 according to the disclosure may comprise both a first lock 60 and a second lock 70. However, as evident from the appended claims, the padlock 1 of the disclosure may, alternatively, comprise only the first lock 60. For such embodiments, the padlock 1 is equipped with the engagement interface 133 which is configured to be engageable with the second lock 70 which is mountable on the padlock 1 . The embodiments may serve different use cases. For some use cases, there may be merits of providing padlocks 1 having both a first lock 60 and a second lock 70. Such use cases may for example be where the padlocks 1 are sold directly to the end users who are going to lock and unlock the padlocks 1 . For other use cases, there may be merits of providing padlocks 1 having only the first lock 60, thereby allowing the user to mount their own second lock 70 into the padlock 1 . Such use cases could be e.g. where the padlocks 1 are sold to a company who handles padlocks 1 in a certain area or region for a certain purpose. The other company may then wish to mount their own second locks 70 in the padlocks. Examples of such use cases are an electric grid company who needs to prevent access to local grid infrastructure sites located on farmland. The farmers who owns the land may need to access the grid infrastructure sites which is on their own land but should be prevented from accessing any grid infrastructure sites which are not located on their own land. For such use cases, the electric grid company may wish to mount second locks accessible by a common key for allowing the company service personnel to access all grid infrastructures, whereas each farmer will be provided with an individual key to access the respective first lock 60 in the individual padlock(s) 1 located on their own land.

[0143] Figures 8A to 8C illustrates, schematically, a cam arrangement 200 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in Figs 8A to 8C, the one or more cam elements is here a single cam element 210. The single cam element 210 comprises a first pair of cam portions 281 a, 281 b, a second pair of cam portions 282a, 282b, and a third pair of cam portions 283a, 283b. The single cam element 210 has an upper portion and a lower portion, as seen along the reference axis A in a direction defined from the first padlock end 1 a towards the second padlock end 1 b. The first pair of cam portions 281a, 281 b may be arranged at opposite sides of the lower portion along a first direction P1 being transverse to said reference axis A, and the second pair of cam portions 282a, 282b may be arranged at opposite sides of the lower portion along a second direction P2 being transverse to said reference axis A and forming an angle with the first direction P1 . This implies that a rotation R of the single cam element 210 may achieve a transformation from the locked state L (see Fig. 8A) at which the first pair of cam portions 281a, 281b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b, to the first unlocked state U1 (see Fig. 8B) at which the second pair of cam portions 282a, 282b faces the locking elements 13a, 13b. The first P1 and second P2 directions may be transverse to each other. For such embodiments, a transformation between the locked state L and the first unlocked state U1 may be achieved by rotating the single cam element 210 by 90 degrees. However, it is also conceivable that the first P1 and second P2 directions for an oblique angle with each other, such as e.g. 70 degrees, or 110 degrees. The third pair of cam portions 283a, 283b may be arranged at opposite sides of the upper portion along a direction being transverse to said reference axis A. If this direction is parallel with the first direction P1 , the transformation from the locked state L to the second unlocked state U2 (see Fig. 8C) may be achieved by an axial displacement D of the single cam element 210 only.

[0144] For embodiment having a single cam element, the locking mechanism may be configured to selectively rotate, and to selectively axially displace, the single cam element 210. This may be achieved by many alternative mechanical transmission systems known to the person skilled in the art. Examples of such mechanical transmission systems include toothed racks, common gears, lever arms, belts, chains etc. This invention should not be construed as limited to particular mechanical transmission systems in this respect.

[0145] In the embodiment of the padlock 1 described hereinabove, the second lock 70 is a mechanical lock or an electromechanical lock mountable within the lock body module 5 (see e.g. Fig. 1 ). An alternative embodiment of the padlock T is illustrated in Figs 9, 10A and 10B. Instead of the built-in locking cylinder, the second lock is in this embodiment a further padlock 700 (see Figs 10A and 10B). The engagement interface 333 which is configured to be engageable with the second lock 700 mountable on the padlock T is thus in this embodiment structured and arranged to be engageable by the further padlock 700. The embodiment of the padlock T is similar to the previously described embodiment in all aspects other than the second lock and its engagement to the locking mechanism 50, and similar features are assigned the same reference numbers as for the earlier embodiment.

[0146] This embodiment may be advantageous as it allows a simplified and less expensive use of the padlock T. By the provision of an engagement interface 333 structured and arranged to be engageable by a further padlock 700, any further padlock 700 having the suitable dimensions may be used as the second lock, and there is no need for more expensive solutions, such as e.g. a mechanical or an electromechanical lock.

[0147] As illustrated in Figs 9, 10A and 10B, the padlock T further comprises a padlock module 300 having a padlock module housing 306 and a connecting cylinder 305 rotationally arranged therein. Similar to the earlier described embodiment, threaded holes 72 may be provided in the padlock module 300 to allow securing the same to the lock body 2, and by providing the padlock module 300 with the same form factor as the mechanical or electromechanical lock of the earlier embodiment, the padlock module 300 may conveniently be mounted within the lock body module 5.

[0148] The connecting cylinder 305 couples to the locking mechanism 50 at a first end 301 thereof. Specifically, this coupling is achieved by engagement interface 371 engaging engagement interface 133 of the lower portion 132 of the first transmission system 130. (Note that for this embodiment, and contrary to the earlier described embodiment, the engagement interface 333 which is configured to be engageable with a second lock 700 mountable on the padlock T is not the engagement interface 133 located on the lower portion 132). The connecting cylinder 305 is further configured to be engageable with the further padlock 700 at a second end 302 thereof.

[0149] The engagement interface 333 comprises a first locking portion 310 which protrudes out from the padlock module housing 306 and is arranged to be stationary in relation to the lock body 2, and a second locking portion 320 which forms a part of the connecting cylinder 305 and which is thereby rotationally coupled to the locking mechanism 50. As illustrated in Figs 10A and B, the first locking portion 310 presents a first through-hole 312 and the second locking portion 320 presents a second through-hole 322. The further padlock 700 is engageable to the engagement interface 333 by inserting a shackle 702 of the further padlock 700 into the first 312 and second 322 through-holes so as to rotationally lock the second locking portion 320 in relation to the first locking portion 310. This is illustrated in Figs 10A and 10B where Fig. 10A illustrates the padlock module 300 when being in a locked state and engaged by the further padlock 700, and Fig. 10B illustrates the padlock module 300 when being in an unlocked state. In the locked state (Fig. 10A), the second through-hole 322 is aligned with the first through-hole 312 allowing the shackle 702 of the further padlock 700 to protrude through the first 312 and the second 322 through-hole. In the unlocked state, the connecting cylinder 305 has been rotated about 90 degrees in order to unlock the padlock T, indicated by the second through-hole 322 being misaligned with the first through-hole 312.

[0150] As explained above, the engagement interface 333 configured to be engageable with the second lock 700 mountable on the padlock 1 ’ is for the embodiment illustrated in Figs 9 and 10A-B located on another part of the padlock T and rotationally coupled to the lower portion 132. However, the padlock 1 may alternatively be structured such that the lower portion 132 of the first transmission mechanism 130 presents the engagement interface 133 configured to be engageable with said second lock 70 mountable on the padlock 1 (i.e. as illustrated in Fig. 2). For such embodiments, the padlock module 300 and / or connecting cylinder 305 may be omitted, and the further padlock 700 may be directly engaging the lower portion 132. For such embodiments, the lower portion 132 may extend to the second padlock end 1a.

[0151] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

35CLAIMS1 . A padlock (1 , T) having a first padlock end (1a) and a second padlock end (1 b), said padlock comprising: a lock body (2) extending from the first padlock end (1a); a shackle (12) extending from the second padlock end (1 b), said shackle having a pair of shackle legs (12a, 12b); a locking mechanism (50) comprising a cam arrangement (100) and a pair of locking elements (13a, 13b) arranged on opposite sides of the cam arrangement; a first lock (60) coupled to said locking mechanism; and an engagement interface (133, 333) coupled to said locking mechanism wherein said engagement interface is configured to be engageable with a second lock (70, 700) mountable on the padlock; wherein the cam arrangement (100) extends along a reference axis (A) which is defined from the first padlock end (1a) towards the second padlock end (1 b), and comprises one or more cam elements (110, 120), wherein at least one (110) of said one or more cam elements is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis (A), and wherein at least one (120) of said one or more cam elements is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis (A), wherein said one or more cam elements (110, 120) comprises a first (81a, 81 b), a second (82a, 82b) and a third (83a, 83b) pair of cam portions, wherein the cam portions of each pair of cam portions are arranged opposite to each other on the one or more cam elements (110, 120), and wherein the cam arrangement (100) is structured and arranged such that:- when the locking mechanism (50) is in a locked state (L), the first pair of cam portions (81a, 81b) faces the locking elements (13a, 13b) and retains the same to protrude into respective locking element recesses (14a, 14b) formed in respective shackle legs of the pair of shackle legs (12a, 12b) to keep the padlock locked;36- when the locking mechanism (50) is in a first unlocked state (U1 ), the second pair of cam portions (82a, 82b) faces the locking elements (13a, 13b) and provides a clearance that allow the locking elements to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses (14a, 14b) to keep the padlock unlocked; and- when the locking mechanism (50) is in a second unlocked state (U2), the third pair of cam portions (83a, 83b) faces the locking elements (13a, 13b) and provides a clearance that allows the locking elements to not protrude into said respective locking element recesses (14a, 14b) to keep the padlock unlocked, and wherein the cam arrangement (100) is configured to be transformable:- between the locked state (L) and the first unlocked state (U1 ), along a first transformation (T1 ), in response to a selective unlocking of one of said first (60) and second (70) locks, and- between the locked state (L) and the second unlocked state (U2), along a second transformation (T2), in response to a selective unlocking of another one of said first (60) and second locks (70); and wherein said first transformation (T1 ) includes a rotation (R), about said reference axis (A), of said at least one cam element (110) which is configured to be rotatable about said reference axis (A), and wherein said second transformation (T2) includes a displacement (D), along said reference axis (A), of said at least one cam element (120) which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis (A).

2. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more cam elements (110, 120) comprises a first cam element (110) and a second cam element (120).

3. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 2, wherein the first cam element (110) is rotatably arranged within the locking mechanism (50), andthe second cam element (120) is axially displaceably arranged within the locking mechanism (50).

4. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 3, wherein the second cam element (120) is rotationally locked to the first cam element (110) for allowing the second cam element (120) to rotate with the first cam element (110).

5. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 4, wherein the first cam element (110) is a sleeve element and the second cam element (120) is a piston element, wherein the second cam element (120) comprises said first pair of cam portions (81a, 81b) and said third pair of cam portions (83a, 83b), and wherein the first cam element (110) comprises said second pair of cam portions (82a, 82b).

6. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 3 to 5, wherein the locking mechanism (50) comprises a first transmission mechanism (130) which includes at least a lower portion (132) and an upper portion (140), wherein the first transmission mechanism is configured to transform a rotational movement of the lower portion (132) into an axial movement of the upper portion (140), wherein the upper portion (140) engages with the second cam element (120) to control an axial displacement (D) thereof, and wherein the lower portion (132) is configured to be rotationally coupled with the second lock (70) mountable on the padlock..

7. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 6, wherein one of the lower portion (132) and the upper portion (140) comprises a helical recess, or through-opening (134), and another one of the lower portion (132) and the upper portion (140) comprises a guiding element (141 ), wherein the upper portion (140) is rotatably locked in relation to the lock body (2) and arranged to be displaceable along the reference axis (A), and wherein the guiding element (141) protrudes into the helical recess, or through-opening (134).

8. The padlock (1 , T) according to claim 7, wherein the helical recess, or through-opening (134), is provided in the lower portion (132), and the guiding element (141 ) is provided in the upper portion (140), and wherein the lower portion (132) protrudes into the upper portion (140).

9. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 6 to 8, wherein the second cam element (120) is spring biased towards the upper portion (140) and forced to be in abutment therewith.

10. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 3 to 9, wherein the locking mechanism (50) further comprises a second transmission mechanism (150) which includes an engagement member (151) and a connecting rod (160) having first (160a) and second (160b) ends, wherein the engagement member (151 ) is rotationally coupled to the first lock (60), and wherein the first end (160a) of the connecting rod (160) is pivotably connected to the engagement member (151 ) and the second end (160b) of the connecting rod is pivotably connected to the first cam element (110).11 . The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 3 to 10, wherein the first cam element (110) comprises a pair of protrusions (111a, 111 b) which extend along the reference axis (A) in a direction defined from the first padlock end (1a) towards the second padlock end (1 b), and wherein the second pair of cam portions (82a, 82b) are defined on said pair of protrusions (111a, 111 b).

12. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 11 , wherein one or more pairs selected from the second pair of cam portions (82a, 82b) and the third pair of cam portions (83a, 83b) are asymmetrically shaped such that, when the locking mechanism (50) is in an associated state selected from the first unlocked state (U1) and the second unlocked state (U2), respectively, a distance (X2a, X3a) between a first cam portion (82a, 83a) of a pair and its respective locking element recess (14a) is smaller than a distance (X2b, X3b)39 between a second cam portion (82b, 83b) of said pair and its respective locking element recess (14b).

13. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 12, wherein said at least one (120) of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable along said reference axis comprises said first pair of cam portions (81a, 81 b), wherein said first pair of cam portions presents respective cam grooves (85) arranged substantially transverse to the reference axis (A), wherein a displacement (D) of said at least one (120) of said one or more cam elements which is configured to be displaceable will follow a direction defined from the second padlock end (1 b) towards the first padlock end (1a) when the cam arrangement (100) is transformed from the locked state (L) to the second unlocked state (U2), and wherein the locking arrangement (50) is configured such that, when the locking mechanism is in the locked state (L), said cam grooves (85) will be positioned closer to the first padlock end (1a) than the locking elements (13a, 13b).

14. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 13, wherein the first lock (60) is arranged within a lock body module (5) which is releasably attachable to the lock body (1 ).

15. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 14, wherein the first lock (60) is an electromechanical lock.

16. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 15, wherein the cam arrangement (100) is arranged symmetrically within the lock body (1 ) along the reference axis and wherein said first lock (60) is arranged asymmetrically within the lock body (2) at a radial distance (RD) from said reference axis (A).

17. The padlock (1 , T) according to any one of claim 1 to 16, wherein the padlock further comprises a second lock (70) coupled to said engagement40 interface (133), and wherein the second lock is a mechanical lock, or an electromechanical lock.

18. The padlock (1 ) according to claim 6 or any one of claim 7 to 16 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the lower portion (132) of the first transmission mechanism (130) presents said engagement interface (133) configured to be engageable with said second lock (70) mountable on the padlock.

19. The padlock (T) according to any one of claim 1 to 16, wherein the second lock (70) is a further padlock (700), and wherein said engagement interface (333) which is configured to be engageable with said second lock mountable on the padlock is structured and arranged to be engageable by the further padlock (700).

20. The padlock (T) according to claim 19, wherein the engagement interface (333) comprises a first locking portion (310) which is arranged to be stationary in relation to the lock body (2), and a second locking portion (320) which is rotationally coupled to the locking mechanism (50), wherein the first locking portion (310) presents a first through-hole (312) and the second locking portion (320) presents a second through-hole (322), wherein the further padlock (700) is engageable to the engagement interface (333) by inserting a shackle (702) of the further padlock (700) into the first (312) and second (322) through-holes so as to rotationally lock the second locking portion (320) in relation to the first locking portion (310).

21. The padlock (T) according to claim 20, wherein the padlock (T) further comprises a connecting cylinder (305) rotationally arranged within the padlock (T), wherein the connecting cylinder (305) couples to said locking mechanism (50) at a first end (310) thereof and presents said second locking portion (320) at a second end (302) thereof.

22. The padlock (T) according to claim 21 , wherein the padlock (T) further comprises a padlock module (300) and wherein the connecting cylinder (305) is rotationally arranged within the padlock module (300).

23. The padlock (T) according to claim 22 when dependent on claim14, wherein the padlock module (300) is arranged within the lock body module (5).

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