AU2007201228B2 - Improvements in Padlocks - Google Patents

Description

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Title Padlocks The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- ;Field of the Invention This invention relates to padlocks, cylinders and other locks CIn describing padlocks, the same aspect is often, (and in other padlock specifications of the inventor) called by different names. This specification, alone defines the 00 meaning of the various aspects but to assist in comparison with other specifications it might be useful to note the following. The latching configuration and unlatching configuration of the cam are elsewhere referred to as the locking and unlocking N configurations respectively. It is the cylinder that is actually lockable by key, (on removal of the key), while the cam causes the balls to engage the shackle to cause it 1 0 to become latched, (restrained in relation to the casing). The configurations of the cam are therefore better described as the latching configuration and the unlatching configuration. The barrel of the cylinder has an undisplaced or locked configuration enabling key removal from which it can be displaced to a delatching configuration that ensures the cam is in the disengaged configuration. The recesses within the cam that accept the balls enable the shackle to become unlatched are are therefore best called unlatching recesses The position of the shackle is best described as open, (when the shorter arm is not with the padlock casing) and closed when both arms are within the casing.

When closed, the shackle can either be unlatched, (unrestrained in relation to the casing), and latched where the balls engage within the locking recesses of the shackle.

The recesses within the casing to accept the shackle are best described as casing recesses.

;Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of an invention, there is a padlock, including a i shackle having a shorter leg with a first locking recess and a longer leg having an opposed second locking recess, said opposed second locking recess being connected by a longitudinally elongated recess to a peripheral recess disposed towards the end of the longer leg, and a casing having a short and a longer recess (Ni extending into the casing from a first end surface to accept the shorter and longer (Ni shackle leg respectively, a central recess extending into the casing from an opposed second end surface, an offset recess extending into the casing from the opposed second end surface and intersecting the central recess, said short, longer and central recesses being intersected by a transverse recess extending into the casing from a first side of the casing, a cylinder having a key operable barrel characterized by an undisplaced position enabling key removal, two opposed balls supported within the transverse recess; a first ball to protrude into the short recess and first locking recess and a second ball to protrude into the longer recess and second locking recess, a cam including a first cam portion to control the balls and a cam drive portion that includes at least one drive recess having a hole within, the cam operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that occupies the at least one drive recess to provide a Type 1 padlock said coupler being supported by the barrel and operably connected to the barrel, the cam also operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that occupies the hole within the at least one drive recess to provide a Type 2 padlock said coupler being supported by the barrel and operably connected to the barrel, 4 the cam also operable by a different barrel having at least one protruding barrel abutment that occupies the at least one drive recess to provide a Type 1 Cpadlock, said Type 1 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the shorter leg is free of the casing, the longer leg is supported in the casing and the key 0 is removable, Ssaid Type 2 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the Sshorter leg is free of the casing, the long leg is supported in the casing and the key and barrel cannot be rotated to the undisplaced position to enable key removal.

According to one aspect of another invention, there is a padlock, including a shackle having a shorter leg with a first locking recess and a longer leg having an opposed second locking recess, said opposed second locking recess being connected by a longitudinally elongated recess to a peripheral recess disposed towards the end of the longer leg, and a casing having a short and a longer recess extending into the casing from a first end surface to accept the shorter and longer shackle leg respectively, a central recess extending into the casing from an opposed second end surface, an offset recess extending into the casing from the opposed second end surface and intersecting the central recess, -said short, longer and central recesses being intersected by a transverse recess extending into the casing from a first side of the casing, a cylinder having a key operable barrel characterized by an undisplaced position enabling key removal, two opposed balls supported within the transverse recess; a first ball to protrude into the short recess and first locking recess and a second ball to protrude into the longer recess and second locking recess, ;a cam including a first cam portion to control the balls and a cam drive Sportion that includes at least one drive recess having a hole within, i the cam operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that includes a drive pin for each drive recess, each said drive pin being supported in a 00 longitudinally elongated barrel drive recess and each occupying a cam drive recess O of the cam without occupying a cam drive recess hole to provide a Type 1 padlock, the cam also operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that N includes a drive pin for each drive recess, each said drive pin being supported in a longitudinally elongated barrel drive recess and each occupying a cam drive recess hole to provide a Type 2 padlock said coupler being supported by the barrel and operably connected to the barrel, said Type 1 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the shorter leg is free of the casing, the longer leg is supported in the casing and the key is removable, said Type 2 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the shorter leg is free of the casing, the long leg is supported in the casing and the key and barrel cannot be rotated to the undisplaced position to enable key removal.

According to one aspect of another invention, there is a padlock, including a shackle having a shorter leg with a first locking recess and a longer leg having an opposed second locking recess, said opposed second locking recess being connected by a longitudinally elongated recess to a peripheral recess disposed towards the end of the longer leg, and a casing having a short and a longer recess extending into the casing from a first end surface to accept the shorter and longer shackle leg respectively, a central recess extending into the casing from an opposed second end surface, an offset recess extending into the casing from the opposed ;second end surface and intersecting the central recess, said short, longer and Scentral recesses being intersected by a transverse recess extending into the casing i from a first side of the casing, a cylinder having a key operable barrel characterized by an undisplaced 00 position enabling key removal, O two opposed balls supported within the transverse recess; a first ball to (Ni protrude into the short recess and first locking recess and a second ball to protrude (Ni into the longer recess and second locking recess, a cam including a first cam portion to control the balls and a cam drive portion that includes at least one drive recess having a hole within, said cam being longitudinally displaceable relative to the casing to an unshackling configuration whereby to enable the second ball to release the longer shackle leg to enable the shackle to be removed from the casing, the cam operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that occupies the at least one drive recess to provide a Type 1 padlock said coupler being supported by the barrel and operably connected to the barrel, the cam also operable by the barrel through an interspaced coupler that occupies the hole within the at least one drive recess to provide a Type 2 padlock said coupler being supported by the barrel and operably connected to the barrel, said Type 1 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the shorter leg is free of the casing, the longer leg is supported in the casing and the key is removable,.

said Type 2 padlock being characterized by an open configuration where the shorter leg is free of the casing, the long leg is supported in the casing and the key and barrel cannot be rotated to the undisplaced position to enable key removal.

;In a second aspect of the inventions, the angular disposition of the first cam portion in the locking and unlocking configurations is determined by a stop portion of the cam that includes an outwardly projecting stop shoulder that protrudes into the offset recess, said stop portion being displaceable between a first operative configuration where the stop shoulder abuts the wall of the offset recess and a second operative configuration where the stop shoulder abuts the opposite wall of the offset casing, the padlock being characterized by: (a locked configuration corresponding to the stop portion being in the first operative configuration, the shorter and longer legs being supported in the casing and restrained from displacing relative to the casing, the cam being in a locking configuration retaining the first ball partly within the first locking recess and the second ball being partly within the second locking recess, the cam and stop portion being rotateable in an unlocking direction by the cylinder to displace the padlock to an unlocked configuration, and an open, unlocked configuration corresponding to the stop portion being in the second operative configuration, the shorter leg being free of the casing, the longer leg being supported in the casing, and the cam being in an unlocking configuration retaining the second ball partly within the longitudinally elongated recess or partly within the peripheral recess.

In a third aspect of the inventions, the stop shoulder comprises an outwardly projecting shoulder of a disc-like member.

In a fourth aspect of the inventions, each drive pin has passage through while being supported in a support disc to comprise a sub-assembly coupler, each drive pin being configured to protrude more from one side of the support disc than the ;other and additionally being configured so that when assembled into the padlock casing with the longer end towards the cam, each drive pin protrude into a hole in the 1 cam whereby to provide a Type 2 padlock, and when assembled into the padlock casing with the shorter ends towards the cam, each drive pin protrudes into a drive recess but not into a hole whereby to provide a Type 1 padlock.

In a fifth aspect of the inventions, the cam comprises a first cam portion N connected to a drive portion comprising a disc-like member supported coaxially with and relative to the first cam portion and having at least one drive recess defined in part by a drive shoulder provided by an abutment that extends towards the barrel.

In a sixth aspect of the inventions, each drive recess is defined by at least one stud attached to the disc-like member.

In a seventh aspect of the inventions, the control portion is attached to the drive portion by elongated studs.

In an eighth aspect of the inventions, the unshackling configuration comprises a pre-determined position to and from which the cam is longitudinally displaceable.

In a ninth aspect of the inventions, the cam in the shackle removal configuration controls the balls to enable them to be displaced sideways as the cam is displaced inwardly from the said shackle removal configuration.

In a tenth aspect of the inventions, the cylinder comprises an interchangeable core retained in the casing by a sideways protruding shoulder that is displaceable ;into the core by application of a control key whereby to enable the cylinder to be Sremoved.

In an eleventh aspect of the inventions, the cylinder is retained in the casing 00 by a removeable screw that has passage through an aperture in the casing.

In a twelth aspect of the inventions, the cam includes a disc-like member N supported coaxially with and relative to the first cam portion and a pair of opposed drive recesses provided by a pair of abutments that extends from the disc-like member towards the barrel, and wherein the coupler includes a pair of opposed drive and a pair of opposed barrel drive recesses, one said drive pin being supported in one barrel drive recess to extend towards the disc-like member to occupy one of said drive recesses, the other said drive pin being supported in the other barrel drive recess to extend towards the disc-like member to occupy the other said drive recess.

In a thirteenth aspect of the inventions, the Type 1 coupler includes two opposed drive pins connected by a bridge portion to comprise a single U shaped member.

In a fourteenth aspect of the inventions, the barrel has a pair of opposed barrel abutments each one occupying a different one of a pair of opposed drive recesses to provide a Type 1 padlock.

In a fifteenth aspect of the inventions, the cylinder comprises an interchangeable core retained in the casing by a sideways protruding shoulder ;In a sixteenth aspect of the inventions, the cylinder is retained in the casing by a removable screw that has passage through an aperture in the casing.

According to another aspect of the inventions, there is a method of manufacturing a cam for a padlock including: advancing a rotating cutter blade into the end of a cylindrical blank to a (Ni manufacture locking recesses in the control portion, (1 advancing a rotating cutter drill into the end of a cylindrical blank to a manufacture recesses in the control portion to receive the rivets, attaching studs to the disc like member, attaching the disc like member to the control portion by the rivets while assembling the spring around the rivets.

According to another aspect of the inventions, there is a padlock substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.

;Description of the Drawings SEmbodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only rwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 00 Description of the Figures (employing a first cam type) O Fig 1 is a schematic side view of a padlock with the shackle removed, Fig 2 is a schematic partial sectional view AA of the padlock of Fig 1, SFig 2 is a schematic partial sectional view AA of the padlock of Fig 1 (1Fig 3 is a schematic partial sectional view BB of the padlock of Fig 1 Fig 4 is a partly cut away isometric view of the padlock of Fig 1 Fig 5 is an exploded, isometric view looking from above, of the cam and adjacent components, Fig 6 is an exploded, isometric view looking from below, of the cam and adjacent components, Fig 7 is an isometric view looking from below, of the cam and drive members when configured for a Type 1 padlock, Fig 8 is an isometric view looking from below, of the cam and drive members when configured for a Type 2 padlock, Fig 9 is a schematic side view of an unlatched, open padlock, Fig 10 is a schematic partial sectional view AA of the padlock of Fig 9, Fig 11 is a schematic partial sectional view BB of the padlock of Fig 9 Fig 12 is a partly cut away isometric view of the padlock of Fig 9 Fig 13 is a schematic side view of a closed padlock, Fig 14 is a schematic partial sectional view AA of the padlock or Fig 13, Fig 15 is a schematic partial sectional view BB of the padlock of Fig 13 Fig 16 is a partly cut away isometric view of the padlock of Fig 13 NFig 17 are isometric views of the removed shackle showing the first and second locking recesses and the longitudinal and peripheral recesses 00 Fig 18 is a sectional view defined by a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of _the shackle Fig 19 is a schematic side view of a padlock employing a removeable cylinder Fig 20 is a partly cut-away exploded, isometric view looking from above, of the Spadlock of Fig 19 Fig 21 is a schematic side view of a padlock employing an interchangeable core Fig 22 is a partly cut-away exploded, isometric view looking from above, of the padlock of Fig 21 Fig 23 is a schematic side view of a cutting tool and shackle blank Fig 24 is a schematic, isometric view of the shackle blank being formed Fig 24A is an exploded, isometric view looking from below, of the cam and adjacent components, where the drive pins are the grooved type and are assembled to two spaced support discs.

Description of the Figures (employing a second cam type) Fig 25 is a schematic side view of a locked type1 padlock employing a removable cylinder and a drive member with the shackle closed and latched with the alternative cam in the latching configuration, Fig 26 is a sectional view BB of the padlock of Fig 25 showing the drive member and the alternative cam drive portion, Fig 27 is an exploded isometric view of the lock of Fig Fig 28 is a schematic side view of a locked type 2 padlock employing a removable cylinder and a drive member with the shackle closed and latched and the alternative cam in the latching configuration, Fig 29 is a sectional view aa of the padlock of Fig 28 showing the drive member and alternative cam drive portion, Fig 30 is an exploded isometric view of the lock of Fig 28 Fig 31 is a schematic side view of the padlock of the lock of Fig 25 with the shackle open and unlatched with the alternative cam in the latching configuration Fig 32 is a sectional view RR of the padlock of Fig 31 showing the drive member and alternative cam drive portion when the barrel is in the de-latching configuration, Fig 33 is a sectional view RR of the padlock of Fig 31 showing the barrel returned from the de-latching configuration of Fig 32 to the undisplaced position while the alternative cam remains retained in the unlatching configuration, C Fig 34 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam of Fig 25 and Fig 28 Fig 35 is a schematic side view of the rock of the padlock of Fig 28 with the shackle open and unlatched with the alternative cam in the unlatching configuration Fig 36 is a sectional view II of the padlock of Fig 35 showing the drive member and 00 Salternative cam drive portion, Fig 37 is a schematic side view of a locked typel padlock employing a removable interchangeable-core cylinder and a drive member with the shackle closed and latched and the alternative cam in the latching configuration, SFig 38 is a sectional view UU of the padlock of Fig 37 showing the drive member and the alternative cam drive portion Fig 39 is an exploded isometric view of the padlock of Fig 37 Fig 40 is a schematic side view of a locked type 2 padlock employing a removable interchangeable-core cylinder and a drive member with the shackle closed and latched and the alternative cam in the latching configuration, Fig 41 is a sectional view W of the padlock of Fig 40 showing the drive member and alternative cam drive portion Fig 42 is an exploded isometric view of the lock of Fig 64 Fig 43 is a schematic side view of the padlock of the lock of Fig 37 with the shackle open and unlatched with the alternative cam in the unlatching configuration Fig 44 is a sectional view KK of the padlock of Fig 43 showing the drive member and alternative cam drive portion when the barrel is in the de-latching configuration, Fig 45 is a sectional view KK of the padlock of Fig 43 showing the barrel returned from the de-latching configuration of Fig 44 to the undisplaced position while the alternative cam remains retained in the unlatching configuration, Fig 46 is a schematic side view of the padlock of Fig 40 with the shackle open and unlatched with the alternative cam in the unlatching configuration Fig 47 is a sectional view MM of the padlock of Fig 46 showing the drive members and alternative cam drive portion, Fig 48 is an enlarged view of the alternative cam of Fig 37 and Fig 49 shows views describing the construction of the alternative cam Fig 50 shows an isometric view of parts of the alternative cam shown in Fig 49 Fig 51 shows an isometric view of parts of the alternative cam of Fig 73 adapted for the interchangeable core.

Fig 52 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive I member of Fig 27 SFig 53 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive member of Fig 28 SFig 54 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive member of Fig 37 Fig 55 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive member of Fig 48 00 N Fig 56 is an isometric view of the padlock of Fig 25 and Fig 37 showing an embodiment having a spring in the normal operating and assembled configuration, Fig 57 is a schematic side view of the padlock of Fig 56 showing the spring displaced relative to the casing to enable the alternative cam to be displaced to the shackle- Sremoval configuration, Fig 58 is a schematic side view of a locked type 1 padlock employing a removable cylinder having drive shoulders with the shackle closed and latched and the alternative cam in the latching configuration, Fig 59 is a sectional view XX of the padlock of Fig 58 showing the drive shoulders and alternative cam drive portion, Fig 60 is an exploded isometric view of the lock of Fig 58 Fig 61 is a schematic side view of a locked type 2 padlock employing a removable cylinder having drive shoulders and a drive member with the shackle closed and latched and the alternative cam in the latching configuration, Fig 62 is a sectional view WW of the padlock of Fig 61 showing the drive shoulders and alternative cam drive portion, Fig 63 is an exploded isometric view of the lock of Fig 61 Fig 64 is a schematic side view of the padlock of the lock of Fig 58 with the shackle unlatched and open with the alternative cam in the unlatching configuration Fig 65 is a sectional view 00 of the padlock of Fig 64 showing the drive shoulders and alternative cam drive portion when the barrel is in the de-latching configuration, Fig 66 is a sectional view 00 of the padlock of Fig 64 showing the barrel returned from the de-latching configuration of Fig 65 to the undisplaced position while the alternative cam remains retained in the unlatching configuration, Fig 67 is a schematic side view of the padlock of the lock of Fig 61 with the shackle unlatched and open with the alternative cam in the unlatching configuration Fig 68 is a sectional view QQ of the padlock of Fig 67 showing the drive shoulders and alternative cam drive portion when the barrel is in the de-latching configuration, Fig 69 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam of Fig 58 and Fig 61 Fig 70 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive member of Fig 58 SFig 71 is an enlarged isometric view of the alternative cam and drive member of Fig 61 C Fig 72 is an alternative form of type 1 drive member Fig 73 is an alternative form of type 1 drive member Description of Preferred Embodiments employing a first type cam 00 The invention provides improvements in padlocks including improvements in padlock shackles, cams and cylinders, and means for manufacturing padlocks including means for manufacturing shackles.

It is envisaged that elements of the invention, including the improved cam, shackle and cylinder be transported in other locking devices.

Improvements in padlocks reference two types of padlocks; a Type 1 padlock that may be opened while having the key removed from the cylinder, and a Type 2 padlock where the key cannot be removed unless the shackle is closed.

In some embodiments, the padlock is converted between a Type I padlock and a Type 2 padlock by simply re-orientating a removeable coupling member. In other embodiments it is converted by substituting the drive member or drive members for alternative drive member or drive members. While in other preferred embodiments again, a coupling member is removed, re-configured and re-inserted.

In preferred embodiments, the padlock employs a removeable cylinder retained by a removeable screw, while in other improved padlocks, the padlock employs, what is commonly called, an interchangeable core which is removeable by the application of a control key. This latter type of core having an adapted padlock housing to accommodate a sidways displaceable and protruding shoulder by which the core is retained in the casing In preferred embodiments the padlock employs a shackle of well known design comprising a pair of substantially parallel, preferably cylindrical, legs; one short leg and one longer leg, connected by a connecting portion preferably comprising an torus-like portion of substantially circular cross-section. Towards the held end of the short leg and facing the longer leg is a first locking recess and directly opposite in the longer leg and facing the short leg is a second locking recess. Towards the end of L the longer leg is a peripheral recess that is connected to the second locking recess Sby a longitudinally disposed flat. The locking recesses and fiat comprise scallops, (surfaces longitudinally curved but transversely flat), in the side of the shackle body and usually manufactured by broaching the shackle body from the side after the shackle body has been formed into the horse-shoe shape.

In other preferred embodiments, the padlock employs the shackle of improved design 00oO C described below.

C 10 In preferred embodiments the padlock employs a shackle 1, as shown in Fig 4 and 17, comprising a pair of substantially parallel, preferably cylindrical, legs; one first leg 2 and one longer second leg 3, connected by a connecting portion 4 preferably comprising an torus-like portion of substantially circular cross-section. Towards the free end of the first leg 2 and facing the longer second leg 3 is a first locking recess 6 and directly opposite in the longer leg 3 and facing the first leg 2 is a second locking recess 7. Towards the end of the longer leg is a peripheral recess 8 which is connected to the second locking recess by a longitudinally disposed flat 9 if the shackle is of conventional design or a longitudinally disposed channel 10 if the shackle is of improved design.

If one considers a sectional view of the shackle, as shown in Fig 18, defined by a plane which passes through the longitudinal axis of the legs of the shackle, then preferably, in relation to this view, the peripheral recess at the deepest point 11 defined by dimension 11A, and channel at the deepest point 12 defined by dimension 12A, (or flat at the deepest point 13 if the shackle is of conventional design), are substantially the same depth from the inside edge of the shackle and a lesser depth than the second locking recess at the deepest point 14 defined by dimension 14A.

In preferred embodiments, as shown in Fig 1 to 4, the padlock includes a body including a casing 16 having a first casing recess 17 extending into the casing from a first end surface 19 to receive the first shackle leg 2 and a longer second casing recess 18 extending into the casing from the first end surface 19 to receive the longer shackle leg 3, and a transverse recess 20 in the vicinity of the first end surface 19 commencing at a first side surface 21 of the body and intersecting the first and second casing recesses and in the region of the first casing recess having a constriction 22 of reduced cross-section so the first locking ball 23 described below, cannot pass from transverse recess 20 into the first recess 17. Preferably the axis of t the cross recess 20 orthogonally intersects the axii of the short and deep recesses S17 and 18 which are preferably parallel and substantially cylindrical these recesses in practise usually being formed by a rotating cutter tool advance from the surface and Sinto the padlock casing.

The padlock is configured such in a locked configuration, the first leg 2 including the first locking recess 6 is within the-first casing recess 17 and the longer leg 3 including 00 the second locking recess 7 is within the longer casing recess 18 and additionally, _the locking recesses 6 and 7 are aligned with the transverse recess 20. Preferably, in the locked configuration, the deepest point 14 of the second locking recess 14 is substantially co-axial with the axis of the transverse recess.

In the locked configuration, Fig 13 to 16, the first ball 23 locates partly within the first locking recess 6 and partly in the transverse recess 20 and a second locking ball 24 lies partly in the second locking recess 7 and partly within the cross recess Between the balls is a displaceable, (preferably angularly displaceable), cam 25 of varying cross-section. In the locked configuration, the balls abut a side surface 26 of the cam, this engagement preventing the balls from moving inwardly to release the shackle legs.

When the cam is in the unlatching configuration, as shown in Fig 9 to 12. the first ball 23 is partly within a first unlatching recess 27 of the cam and completely withdrawn from the first locking recess 6 in the first leg to thereby release the first leg.

Opposite this first unlatching recess 27 is a second, less deep similar second unlatching recess 28. When the cam is in the unlatching configuration and the first leg is released from the body, the second ball is partly within the second unlatching recess 28 and partly within the peripheral recess or flat 9 or channel 10 depending on the shackle configuration. When the second ball is retained in this flat or channel the shackle may be moved longitudinally in relation to the casing. When the second ball 24 is in the second cam unlatching recess 28 and partly within the peripheral recess the shackle can be rotated in relation to the body while being retained in the body.

The casing is defined by a first end surface 19 referred to above, an opposed second end surface 29, a first side surface 21 referred to above, an opposed second side surface 30, a front surface 31 and back surface 32.

Coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cam and commencing at the second end Ssurface 29 is a central recess 33 which extends towards the transverse recess 20 to intersect the transverse recess and to provide a recess to accommodate the cam.

SAdjacent to the central recess 33 is an offset recess 34 of lesser depth, having a longitudinal axis parallel to that of the central recess and displaced sideways from Cl that of the central recess such that this recess is intercepted by the axis of the short recess 7. The offset recess has a depth not so great as to intersect recess 17 by 00 00 which it is separated by a bridge portion 35. The central recess and offset recess preferably comprise cylindrical recesses having axii parallel to those of the recesses 17 and 18 recess and together form a chamber of a generally figure 8 cross-section to accommodate a cylinder of similar cross-section. In preferred embodiments, the central recess comprises a cylindrical recess joined to coaxial cylindrical recess of smaller diameter, said latter recess supporting the cam.

In other cases, the offset recess comprises a parallel sided oval so that together the oval and offset recess form a pear shaped recess to accommodate a cylinder of common European profile. In other cases again, the combined recesses are of Fig 8 cross-section configured to accept an interchangeable core in which case the offset recess need not be intercepted by the axis of the short recess 7.

The offset recess extending towards the first casing recess provides the bridge portion 35 between these recesses 34 and 17. In embodiments not employing an interchangeable core, in embodiments employing a removeable cylinder as distinct from an interchangeable core, this bridge portion includes an aperture 36 which extends from the recess 17 to the offset recess 34 to provide passage for a fastener by which the cylinder is fastened into the padlock casing. Preferably the fastener comprises a countersunk head screw 37 and the recess 17 is adapted by the inclusion of a conical recess to accommodate the screw head; the screw shank passing through the aperture 36 to engage in a threaded recess within the cylinder to retain the cylinder within the combined recesses. Preferably, the screw is threadforming and forms a thread in the cylinder when it is inserted thereby precluding the need for a tapped hole in the cylinder, which otherwise must be provided.

In preferred embodiments, the shackle is easily removed from the body. In these embodiments the cam includes an additional release recess 38, as shown in Fig similar to the unlatching recesses and having a configuration such that when the second locking ball 24 is in the release recess, the second ball is completely withdrawn from the longer shackle, i.e. completely withdrawn from the peripheral Srecess in the longer leg to thereby release the shackle and enable it to be removed from the body Ct The cam comprises a member 25 defined by a first cam end 40 adjacent to the closed end of the central recess 33, an opposed second cam end 41 and a side therebetween. In preferred embodiments the cam comprises a substantially (00 00 cylindrical member defined by a substantially circular first end face 40A and the unlatching recesses 27 and 28 and the release recesses 38 are defined by partial cylindrical surfaces which extend from the first end face 40 towards the second end 41 a distance to provide free movement of the balls into the respective recesses.

In preferred embodiments, as shown in Fig 5, the second cam end 41 comprises a drive portion 42 having a second end face 43 disposed towards the inner end 44 of the cylinder barrel 45 as shown in Fig 20. A torsional spring 47 surrounds the drive portion. The drive portion has two opposed drive recesses 48 and 49 extending from the second end face 43 towards the first end face 40. Between the drive recesses is a bridge 50 defined by the opposed walls 51 and 52 which define the drive recesses 48 and 49 respectively. The wall 51 has end portions 67 and 67A while wall 52 has end portions 68 and 68A each of which end portion comprises a drive shoulder as shown in Fig 3 and 11.

Preferably, the drive portion is substantially cylindrical in form but of reduced crosssectional diameter so as to accommodate the spring within the normal diameter of the central recess and preferably the drive recesses are partial cylindrical in shape having between them a bridge of fan shape.

As shown in Fig 5 to 8 and 20, projecting from the surface of the inner end 44 of the barrel towards the key entry end 53 of the barrel, is one and preferably two drive recesses 54 each having an axis parallel to that of the barrel. Adjacent to the inner end 44 is a disc-like member 55 having pin apertures 56 coaxial with the pin recesses 54 but of small diameter. Within the barrel are longitudinally elongated drive members 57 and 58 that have passage through the member 55 to comprise driving shoulders 57A and 58A respectively, which extend from the member 55 towards the cam. Preferably, at the point of intersection with the member 55 they reduce in diameter to the diameter of the apertures 56 to be restrained by member 55 from displacing towards the cam. Preferably the drive members 57 and member comprise a separate sub-assembly 59, which in practice is inserted into the barrel as one.

SThese drive members 57 and 58, extending towards the cam extend into the drive recesses 48 and 49 respectively to longitudinally overlap the walls 51 and 52 and the Cl associated drive shoulders 67, 67A, 68, and 68A this arrangement operably coupling with free movement the cam to the barrel so that the barrel may be turned to 00 0l angularly displace the cam. Preferably the drive members 57 are disposed diagonally opposite one on each side of the keyway in the keyway.

The cam torsion spring 47, surrounding the drive portion 47 of the cam is located axially disposed from the barrel and having a moveable end 60 held in one of the drive recesses to abut a portion of the associated drive shoulder and a fixed end 61 projecting into the offset recess to abut a portion of the offset recess wall. It is configured to bias the cam away from the unlatching configuration and towards the latching configuration. Alternatively, the end 60 comprises a spring return which extends are short distance in a direction parallel to the axis of the cam to mate in a recess commencing at the floor of a drive recess and extending towards the first end surface.

A stop means 62 is included in the cam assembly to prevent the cam from being rotated by the spring in an unlatching direction from the unlocked configuration, i.e.

too far in an unlatching direction. Preferably, the stop means comprises an annular member 63 that straddles the bridge 50 to be supported by the bridge to be relatively angularly displaceable.

Preferably the cam comprises a sub-assembly of components where the spring is retained between the portion of the cam having the larger diameter and the member 63 that is retained by a circlip 64 located towards the second end face 43, said circlip locating behind a raised shoulders of the bridge.

In the latching configuration the spring biases the cam in a direction towards the latching configuration from the unlatching configuration of the cam, and to assist in later description, we define clockwise as being the locking direction.

The disc-like member 63 has two opposed substantially radially inwardly projecting wedges 65 and 66, (also called herein fingers 65 and 66 respectively), that are rlocated one in each drive recess 48 and 49 respectively and an outwardly projecting 0 Sstop 66A that protrudes into the offset recess. The cam and stop are configured such that when the cam is in the latching configuration, as shown in Fig 13 to 16, these C wedges 65 and 66 abut end portions 67 and 68 respectively of the walls 51 and 52 respectively to restrain the cam from rotating in a clockwise direction while the stop Sitself is restrained from rotating clockwise by the stop abutting a first wall 69 of the offset recess.

00 In the locked configuration, the pin extensions 57 protrude longitudinally one into each locking recess to be longitudinally adjacent a wedge to be engageable with the SRotation of the barrel, as shown in Fig 9 to 12, in an anticlockwise direction (when viewing the padlock from underneath) from the latching configuration causes the driving shoulder 57A and 58A to engage the wedges 65 and 66 respectively to urge the stop 66A and annular member 63 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction but in so doing the wedges 65 and 66 simultaneously engage the drive shoulders 67 and 68 respectively to cause the cam to rotate in an anticlockwise direction, and in practice the whole cam assembly rotates substantially simultaneously and the same amount in an anticlockwise direction until the stop 66 engages the opposite wall 70 of the offset recess; this latter configuration corresponding to the unlatching position of the cam.

When the cam is in the unlatching position and the shackle peripheral recess is engaged with the second ball, the second ball in the second unlocking recess in the cam prevents the cam from angularly displacing the cam having been angularly displaced to this configuration by turning the barrel. In the Type 1 padlock the key must then be reversible to the key withdrawal, undisplaced position so the drive recesses 48 and 49 are configured to have free space 71 within drive recess 48 and free space 72 within drive recess 49 to accommodate this displacement of the barrel and drive members while the cam remains restrained from displacing by the second ball.

As shown in Fig 6, commencing at the floor of each drive recess 48 and 49, extending towards the first end surface, and having an axis parallel to that of the cam is an elongated coupling recesses 73 positioned such that in the unlatching configuration of the cam the axis of these recesses are coaxial with an axis of the r drive recesses 54 in the barrel. Preferably, the diameters of the coupling recesses Sare substantially the same as the diameter as the drive recesses 54 SIn a padlock configured as a type 1 padlock, the sub-assembly 55 is configured such that, when the driving shoulder 57A and 58A protrude towards the cam they protrude Sinto the drive recesses 48 and 49 respectively but they do not protrude far enough to engage in the included space within a coupling recesses 73 this configuration 00 0 corresponding to a Type 1 padlock. In a Type 1 padlock, when the cam is in the _unlocked unlatching position and the shackle peripheral recess is engaged with the second ball the second ball being in the second unlocking recess in the cam prevents the cam from angularly displacing but because of the free spaces between the drive members 57A and 58A and the drive shoulders 67A and 68A respectively as shown in Fig 11, the barrel and attached drive members can be rotated to the key withdrawal position corresponding to the drive member 57 abuts drive shoulder 67A and the drive member 58 abuts drive shoulder 68A.

Preferably, the Typel padlock includes a compression spring 18A supported in the longer recess 18 and employed to outwardly bias the longer shackle leg. It has a free length requiring it to be compressed when the shackle is inserted in the casing.

If the sub-assembly 59 is orientated such that the drive members are within the drive recesses 54 in the barrel and they project into the coupling recesses 73 to directly couple the cam to the barrel without significant free movement this configuration corresponding to a Type 2 padlock.

In a Type 2 padlock, when the cam is in the unlatching position the shackle peripheral recess is engaged with the second ball and the second ball is in the second unlatching recess in the cam to prevent the cam from angularly displacing and hence the barrel cannot be rotated to the key withdrawal position.

By simply changing the orientation of the connecting sub-assembly, the padlock can be reconfigured between a Type 1 and Type 2 padlock When the cylinder is removed from the padlock by use of the control key or removal of the screw according to which cylinder is employed, the cam may be rotated in an unlatching direction an additional amount and until the release recess 38 aligns with the second ball this recess being sufficiently deep to allow the second ball to withdraw completely from the longer shackle thereby enabling the shackle to be Sremoved from the body.

A hand tool, such as pliers, is used to displace the cam anti-clockwise, (against the action of the spring) in the unlatching direction from the unlatching configuration while Sthe annular stop member remains undisplaced with the stop portion 66A abutting wall 00oO Preferably, as shown in Fig 1 to 4, the release recess is angularly disposed such that the cam is displaced until the shoulders 67A and 68A engage the wedges 65 and 66 respectively simultaneously to restrain the cam from rotating further in an anti- Sclockwise direction; shoulders 67A and 68A being the other end shoulders associated with the shoulders 67 and 68 respectively.

Preferably, each of the drive recesses 48 and 49 is formed by advancing a rotating cutter blade having an axis of rotation parallel with that of the cam and which overhangs the drive portion 42 from the second end face 43 towards the first end face. Preferably the annular member comprises a metal pressing.

Many variations of the above-described embodiments also come within the scope of the invention, including: the padlock cam having a single drive recess, a single drive member, and a single drive shoulder.

the padlock cam having a pair of drive recesses, a pair of drive members, and a pair of drive shoulders.

the cam being without a release recess.

the Type 2 padlock being without a torsion spring the padlock including a cylinder of other cross-section Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Shackle In preferred embodiments, at least one of the shackle locking recesses comprises a portion or portions of surfaces of revolution in which the axis of revolution defining the surface intersects the body of the shackle and where the surface of the recess extends in all directions from the axis. Preferably the axii of the aforementioned surfaces are parallel and preferably a plane through the axii also intersects the longitudinal axis of the shackle.

The first and second locking recesses preferably comprise a portion or portions of surfaces of revolution as described above. Alternatively, the second locking recess Scomprises two such portions located adjacently a small distance apart and joined by a channel portion.

00 The longitudinally elongated recess preferably comprises a channel defined by a uniform cross-section.

Preferably, each of the surfaces of revolution are spherical and are defined by a radius and preferably this radius is substantially the same as the radius of the balls.

Preferably the cross-section of the longitudinally elongated channel is defined by a radius and preferably this radius is substantially the same as that of the radius of the balls.

It is envisaged that this improved shackle construction be employed in all types of locks and not just those described herein, including: a padlock employing only a first locking recess and first ball a padlock employing only a second locking recess and second ball a padlock where the shackle comprises a cable connected to a solid cylindrical end portion having a first locking recess and the other end is secured to the padlock body.

a padlock where the shackle comprises a cable connected on one end to a solid cylindrical end portion having a first locking recess and the other end is connected to a solid cylindrical end portion having a second locking recess.

0 a lock the shackle comprises an elongated member having a first locking recess The preferred shackle is manufactured by turning bar on a lathe or similar machine tool to produce a shackle blank 74, as shown in Fig 23, having chamfered or radiused ends and the peripheral recess. The first and second locking recesses are formed by advancing a rotating cutter tool 75, preferably having a spherical end 76 defined by a radius similar to that of the ball into the shackle blank or partly manufactured shackle plant, to manufacture a recess having a surface comprising a surface of revolution.

SIn an alternative embodiment, the second locking recess is constructed firstly by advancing a cutter into the shackle blank as described above and then advancing it a C\ short distance, while it is cutting, longitudinally along the shackle blank.

00 0 The longitudinal recess is manufactured by manufacturing the second locking recess and then withdrawing the cutter partly from the formed second locking recess and advancing it, while it is cutting, longitudinally along the shackle blank towards the peripheral recess till the cutter is aligned with peripheral recess. Preferably the cutter Stool has a spherical end defined by a radius similar to that of the ball.

Preferably the axis of the cutter tool lies in the same plane as the longitudinal axis of the shackle blank, After machining, the shackle blank is aligned so that the plane in which the axii of the surfaces of revolution lie is orthogonal to the axis of an angularly displaceable mandrel 77 about which the shackle will be formed, as shown in Fig 24 the mandrel being supported on a shaft 77A. The shackle blank 79 is retained adjacent the cylindrical mandrel with the axii pointing towards the mandrel and the junction between the first leg and joining portion touching the side of the mandrel. A roller 78 is located on the other side of the shackle blank so that the shackle blank is between the roller and mandrel and touches both. The mandrel adjacent the shackle blank has a tangential extension comprising a holding block 80 which has an aperture in which to support a leg portion of the shackle and a lever portion 81. The shackle is retained in the aperture by a fastener. Rotation of the lever causes the mandrel and attached block to rotate around the mandrel axis of rotation, while the roller remains fixed but free to rotate, to form the shackle blank in a shape corresponding to the mandrel. In this way the shackle blank is formed to have parallel legs.

Preferably, the first leg which is retained in the block comprising part of the mandrel.

Preferably the aperture has a cross recess through which a spherical headed fastener has passage to be displaced firmly into the first locking recess of the shackle blank. Preferably, the surfaces of the roller and cylindrical portion of the mandrel, where they contact the shackle body, comprise recesses having a semi-circular t cross-section 82 defined by a radius substantial the same as the radius of the shackle body.

SThe removeable cylinder has a number of transverse pin chambers in the cylinder housing each extending from a portion of the outer surface of the housing to meet Scoaxially with a pin chamber in the barrel when the key is removed. The longitudinal axii of the chambers are substantially on the same plane when the key is withdrawn.

00 SThe apertures in the surface where the recesses intersect the surface are plugged to prevent the pins and other components from escaping. Commonly each aperture is plugged with an individual cylindrical plug but preferably the casing between the apertures is connected by a channel which extends to the inner end of the casing Sand preferably the plug comprises a strip of resilient material such as plastic which occupies the channel and that has substantially cylindrical extensions which extend into each pin chamber. Preferably the extensions are radially compressible and, inpart at least, are of a diameter slightly larger than the chambers so that after being pressed into the chambers they exert a radial force on the walls of the chambers the chambers in turn exerting a reactionary force on the extensions to retain the extensions within the chambers. When re-pinning is required the strip can be quickly peeled from the cylinder to provide access to the chambers and then quickly reapplied.

This means of capping pin apertures is applicable to all pin cylinders, (not just that described herein), in which the apertures are inaccessible once the cylinder is installed into the padlock or lock in which it is employed.

Description of Preferred Embodiments employing an alternative cam In preferred embodiments, the padlock can be converted between a Type 1 padlock and a Type 2 padlock by simply substituting one removable coupling means for another. In other embodiments the alternative cam is adapted to provide either a Type 1 or Type 2 padlock while in other embodiments again, the coupling means is simply removed from the casing, reconfigured and then re-employed.

The alternative cam, as shown in Fig 49 to 51 and Fig 52 to 55, in general comprises a substantially cylindrical first or control portion 40 connected by elongated studs (preferably comprising rivets) to a drive portion 42 (preferably comprising an adapted disc 42A), said control portion having a curved side wall interrupted by unlatching recesses 27 and 28 as described above. In this embodiment the drive shoulders of the alternative cam comprise cylindrical studs attached to the disc 42A as shown in OFig 49 to 55 protruding from the disc 42A to provide a drive shoulder 67-x with adjacent space. Within the disc 42A there are also coupling means comprising a Srecess comprising an aperture hi. Preferably there is a pair of opposed drive shoulders 67-x and 68-x and a pair of opposed coupling means hi and h5. It can be ri seen from Fig 49 to 51 that apertures h4 and h8 of the disc 42A provide passage for the rivets 90, apertures h2 and h6 provide passage for shank portions of the studs 00 00 67x and 68x respectively. Preferably, a torsional spring 91 surrounds the studs When configured as a Type 1 padlock as shown in Fig 25 to 27 and Fig 52, the drive members 57-x and 58-x, extend towards the altemrnative cam to longitudinally overlap Sthe drive shoulders 67-x and 68-x respectively to be engageable with the associated drive shoulder this arrangement operably coupling with free movement the alternative cam to the barrel and so that the barrel may be turned to angularly displace the alternative cam. Preferably the drive members 57-x and 58-x are disposed diagonally opposite one on each side of the keyway in the keyway.

Preferably the drive pins 57x and 58-x are joined to comprise a horse-shoe shaped member as shown in Fig 52.

When configured as a Type 2 padlock, as shown in Fig 28 to 30 and Fig 53, the drive members 57-x x and 58-xx each extending towards the alternative cam to extend into one or other of the apertures hi and h2 this arrangement operably coupling the alternative cam to the barrel (preferably with little or no free movement and certainly less free movement that required for the Type 1 padlock). Preferably each drive members comprises a stepped pin having a portion that is received by the alternative cam aperture and a portion that is received by the barrel drive recess and between a portion of increased diameter 57-y that acts to restrain the drive pin from displacing into the barrel thereby maintaining the drive pin relative to the alternative cam. Importantly when the cam is in the latching configuration and the cylinder barrel is in the undisplaced configuration the apertures hi and h2 align sufficiently with the drive recesses of the barrel to enable each drive member to be within both a drive recess and an aperture of the cam.

It will be appreciated that each aperture in the alternative cam is mechanically equivalent to a pair of engageable shoulders with space between to accept the drive member and the invention envisages such shoulders which comprise a second drive shoulder and a coupling shoulder.

The alternative cam torsion spring 91 preferably comprises a spring wrapped around the studs between the control and drive portions of the alternative cam while being C restrained by a stud 90 at one end while at the other end having an angled projection 92 that is restrained relative to the casing by projecting into the offset recess to abut C" a portion of the offset recess wall. It is configured to bias the alternative cam away from the unlatching configuration and towards the latching configuration.The torsion 00 00 spring preferably has a solid height less than the available distance between the first _and second alternative cam portions and the spring is preferably in mild compression to maintain the angled projection 92 adjacent the disc 42A. Preferably, the first preferred cam design and casing described above also included these aspects.

The alternative cam portion 42 also includes a stop comprising a projection 62 of the drive portion of the alternative cam that extends into the offset recess to prevent the altemrnative cam from being rotated by the spring in a latching direction from the unlatched configuration, too far) while enabling the alternative cam to displace to the unlatching configuration. It will be appreciated that the requirement of the projection 62 being within the offset recess 34 limits the angular displacement of the alternative cam and imposes limits on the disposition of the unlatching recesses 27 and 28 which must align with the transverse recess when the alternative cam has been displaced to the unlatching configuration.

Rotation of the barrel to unlock the padlock, as shown in Fig 31 to 33, causes each drive member to engage an associated drive stud (drive member 57x engaging shoulder 67x and/or drive member 58x engaging shoulder 68x) to cause the alternative cam to rotate until the projection 62 displacing from a configuration where it abuts a side wall of the offset recess to a configuration where it abuts the opposite wall 70 of the offset recess; this latter configuration corresponding to the unlatching position of the alternative cam.

In the Type 1 padlock the barrel and key can then be reversed to the undisplaced barrel position enabling key withdrawal while the alternative cam remains in the unlatching configuration. This free movement is enabled by the space adjacent each drive stud 67x and 68x as shown in Fig 52 If the drive members project into the apertures hi and h5, (corresponding to included space within a coupling recess) and as shown in Fig 35 and 36 they directly couple the alternative cam to the barrel without significant free movement (as shown in Fig 53), to provide a Type 2 padlock. In the Type 2 padlock the barrel and key cannot be reversed to the undisplaced barrel position enabling key withdrawal when the Salternative cam remains in the unlatching configuration. In this case, The disc 42A is preferably comprised of two disc portions as shown in Fig 49 held together by the shank portions of the studs 67x and 68 x. These studs include 00oO N shanks portions of lesser diameter which after passing through both discs are outwardly formed to rivet the two disc portions together. As described above each of these discs also have apertures to provide passage to rivets that pass through elongated apertures in the control portion of the alternative cam to be restrained relative to this portion and preferably by splaying within counter-bores within the control portion. The heads of the rivets preferably lie within enlarged apertures withi the outer disc member.

In summary the apertures in the disc 42A or stop are as follows: Padlock Type Removable Cylinder Interchangeable Core 1 Apertures 2 and 6 Apertures 2 and 6 2 Apertures 1 and 5 Apertures 1 and For connecting rivets Apertures 4 and 8 Apertures 4 and 8 Many variations of the above-described embodiments also come within the scope of the invention, including: the padlock alternative cam having a single drive stud, and a single drive member.

the padlock alternative cam having a pair of a drive studs, and a pair of drive shoulders.

the Type 2 padlock being without a torsion spring the padlock including a cylinder of other cross-section It should be noted that only type 1 padlocks must have a spring to bias the cam towards the latching configuration but type 2 padlocks can electively also employ such biasing means. Likewise a spring to bias the shackle outwardly can electively be employed in both types. Where a spring is used to bias the cam it preferably comprises one as shown in the figures and as described above and preferably it has a solid height less than the available distance between the first and second alternative cam portions and the spring is preferably in mild compression to maintain the angled projection 92 adjacent the disc 42A so that a predetermined longitudinal Ndisplacement of the spring corresponds to the same longitudinal displacement of the control portion of the cam and as shown in Fig 57 whereby the predetermined distance can be set such that when the cam assembly is displaced as shown in Fig Cl 57 to enable the balls to withdraw from the casing recesses but to be unable to inwards displace across the top of the control portion of the cam so that when the 00 0cam is displaced inwardly again (as occurs on cylinder assembly), the balls are displaced outwardly to retain the shackle. The casing is adapted in this case whereby an elongated recess is provided defined by a end shoulder 92A such that when the r cam is in the shackle removal configuration shown in Fig 57 the angled projection 92 abuts the shoulder 92A restraining the cam assembly from displacing outwardly.

When the cylinder screw is loosened the cylinder can be partially displaced from the casing to enable the balls to completely leave the locking recesses in the shackle and to allow the second ball to withdraw completely from the longer shackle thereby enabling the shackle to be removed from the body. This is preferably effected by unlatching the padlock, loosening the screw a pre-determined number of turns, inserting a de-shackling tool into the shorter recess and the tapping the casing from below to cause the cylinder to displace relative to the casing to enable the shackle to be withdrawn. The longer leg of a replacement shackle can then be inserted, the tool removed and the screw tightened. For convenience padlocks can be packaged and sold with a tool (or a shackle acting as a tool) within the shorter recess to restrain the cam from rotating to facilitate installation of the desired shackle at a later date.

In a form of preferred embodiment there is one and preferably two drive recesses 54 Sof the barrel and correspondingly there is one and preferably a pair of substantially cylindrical drive members which project one from each drive recess 54 in the barrel.

SAdjacent to the inner end 44 there is a disc-like pin holder 55 having pin apertures 56 coaxial with the pin recesses 54 but of small diameter than the general diameter of Sthe drive pins. Each aperture has a generally radially disposed but parallel sided elongatation so as to extend to the periphery of the pin holder. Within the length of 00 each pin is one and preferably multiple peripheral recesses each engageable within _the pin apertures 56 in the pin holder such that when a pair of drive pins is supported within the pin holder by the annular recesses and they are within a padlock, the drive pins are restrained from longitudinally displacing by the pin holder which itself is Srestrained between the barrel and cam.

To enable a padlock to be configured as a Type I padlock, there are drive pin annular recesses configured such that the portions of the drive pins extending from the pin holder are engageable with the cam drive shoulders but do not engage in the coupling recesses 73 in the cam.

To enable a padlock to be configured as a Type 2 padlock, there are drive pin annular recesses configured such that the portions of the drive pins extending from the pin holder engage in the coupling recesses 73.

By simply changing the length that the drive pin protrudes from the pin holder by engaging another drive pin peripheral groove within the pin aperture of the pin holder, the padlock can be reconfigured between a Type 1 and Type 2 padlock. The apertures within the pin holder are configured such that when an annular recess is with the plane of the pin holder, the drive pin can be assembled to the pin holder by radially displacing it from the vicinity of the periphery to become coaxially aligned in the respective aperture.

Additionally, this type of drive member enables a shorter cylinder to be employed by providing a spacer means between the barrel and cam. The spacer is provided by a pair of spaced pin holders assembled within the length of the drive pins; a first disc to be adjacent the interior end of the cylinder barrel 44, a second disc to be adjacent the cam and the drive member would protrude from the second disc to provide either a Type 1 or Type 2 padlock. Each drive member would preferably have multiple I. annular grooves to enable the coupler to be assembled to provide different padlock Stypes while accommodating different cylinder lengths.

SIn all the embodiments, the drive members preferably comprise substantially cylindrical pins and the drive recesses preferably comprise cylindrical recesses as would be made by a drilling operation. In all embodiments the drive members are within the coupling means.

00 In other preferred embodiments the support disc of the coupling means is replaced C 10 by shoulders of the drive member as shown in Fig 72 and 73 where the type 1 drive Smember is an elongated member having a head 98 to restrain it from displacing into C-i the drive recess while the type 2 drive member has a head and an additional shoulder 101 that enagages in the coupling recess in the stop. Alternatively the type I coupling means comprises two elongated drive members jointed to form a horseshoe shaped single member.

Additionally the cam of Fig 43 has additional apertures h3 and h7 to enable additional studs Fig 71, to be attached so that the cam can be adapted to provide a type 2 padlock as shown in Fig 61 to 63 when the barrel has driving shoulders that are machined onto the barrel as shown in Fig 63. This type of cylinder can also be employed in a type 1 padlock as shown in Fig 58 to 60 and 70 to because the shoulders are configured to be compatable with the drive members described above as well as with the machined driving shoulders in the latter case obviously the additional studs are not employed.

Throughout this specification and claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.