NZ734831A - A Lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a lock. The lock comprises a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members.

Description

A LOCK Technical Field The present invention relates to a lock and, in particular, to a padlock.

Background Art Locks such as padlocks are commonly used when it is necessary to secure something in a locked position. In one such application, gates or the like can be securely locked by wrapping a chain around and/or through a gate post and around or through an edge of the gate (in its closed position), for example, and then joining the ends of the chain together with the shackle of a padlock. Once the padlock is locked, it is not possible for a person to open the gate without first unlocking the padlock, which can prevent unauthorised entry. An example of a gate comprises a perimeter steel tube frame and a wire mesh (for example chain wire) attached thereto, that is hingedly attached to a post.

In some circumstances, however, it may be necessary to provide other people (e.g. tradespeople on a building site or a contractor on a farm site) with a key so that they can unlock the padlock and open the gate. It is all too easy for one of those people to forget to re- lock the padlock, potentially enabling someone to steal the chain and/or padlock, which would compromise security until the chain/padlock were replaced, at an additional expense.

It would be advantageous to provide more versatile locks, especially for use in situations such as that described above.

Summary of Invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock comprising a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members.

In some embodiments, a first locking member is operable by a first locking member actuator and a second locking member is operable by a second locking member actuator. The first locking member actuator may, for example, be a first key and the second locking member actuator be a second key.

In some embodiments, the lock may comprise at least two lock barrels, each lock barrel being operatively associated with a respective locking member. In such embodiments, each lock barrel may be configured to be removable from the lock body (e.g. if it is necessary to replace the barrel because someone has absconded with a key).

In some embodiments, each of the at least two independently operable locking members are spaced apart from each other. In such embodiments, each of the locking members should be more readily accessible by a user than would be the case if they were spaced more closely together.

In some embodiments, the lock body may be substantially cuboid in shape. In such embodiments, the at least two independently operable locking members may be located on adjacent sides of the lock body.

In some embodiments, each of the at least two independently operable locking members is a shackle. In some of such embodiments, each shackle may be configured to slide between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body.

Advantageously, locks having two or more independently operable locking members can be configured for operation by two or more different users, the different users potentially being able to access different areas or achieve different outcomes, depending on which locking member they can open. For example, in the gate-locking scenario described above, the lock of the present invention could be used in place of a regular padlock in order to prevent the lock and/or chain from being stolen. The site owner could loop a chain around the gate post and use a first locking member (e.g. a shackle) to retain links of the chain and thereby lock the chain to the gate post. A second chain (or the rest of the chain, if it is long enough) can then be looped around or through the gate (or the gate post and gate), with a second locking member being used to retain appropriate links of that chain. Third parties who need to access the site could be provided with a key (for example) which would enable them to open the second locking member (and hence unlock the gate) but not the first locking member. As the site owner is the only person who is able to open the first locking member, the lock and chain remains securely affixed to the gate post, even should someone forget to re-lock the lock’s second locking member. Whilst it may be possible to provide a comparable level of security for an existing padlock and chain arrangement, for example by welding the chain to the gate post and the padlock, such modifications would be time consuming and potentially costly.

Locks having two or more independently operable locking members may generally be used with any form of movable barrier including but not limited to swinging barriers and openable gates. Embodiments may generally be used with any suitable form of movable barrier.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the lock of the present invention will be described below.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising two spaced apart shackles, wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.

Features and embodiments of the padlocks of the second and third aspects of the present invention may be as described herein in the context of the lock of the first aspect of the present invention.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for securing a chain to a barrier locking arrangement that comprises a movable barrier (e.g. a gate, such as a swinging gate) and a second member (e.g. a second gate or a gate post). The method comprises: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; wherein another portion of chain is arrangeable with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member in the closed position.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for locking a movable barrier to a second member. The method comprises: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member.

The padlock used in the method of the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention may be the padlock described herein in the context of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a top view of the lock of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the lock of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side view of the lock body of the lock of Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the section A-A of the lock body of Figure 4.

Description of Embodiments In one aspect, the present invention provides a lock comprising a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members. In another aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles. In another aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising two spaced apart shackles, wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.

Specific features and embodiments of the lock of the present invention will be described below primarily in the context of padlocks. It is to be appreciated, however, that the present invention has a broader application than just padlocks. For example, locks capable of embodying the present invention include bike locks (e.g. for independently locking two bikes to a pole), door locks (e.g. for independently locking/unlocking two adjacent doors), etc.

The lock or padlock of the present invention may take any suitable form that is compatible with its intended use. The lock may be fixed or portable and, in some embodiments, may be provided in the form of a padlock. The lock has a number of components which, when assembled, enable its use in the described manner. The main components will be described below, with other components of such locks being well-known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The lock of the present invention has a lock body, with which the independently operable locking members and other components of the lock are associated. The lock body may have any suitable shape and may be formed from any suitable material, for example mild or hardened steel, brass, or laminated steel plates. The form in which the lock body is provided and its properties will depend primarily on its intended use, and can be determined by a person skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, for example, the lock body may be substantially cuboid in shape, with opposing generally rectangular-shaped faces being separated by four generally rectangular-shaped sides. In order to improve the lock’s aesthetic appeal, weight or handleability, the edges between some or all of its faces may, for example, be rounded or cut- out. Such a shape is essentially that of a traditional padlock, adapted in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. The lock body may, in other embodiments, have any other suitable shape and may, for example, be round or circular, have curved faces, and/or have a waist.

The at least two independently operable locking members may be located at any suitable position and in any suitable orientation with respect to the lock body. At least a portion of the locking members would typically be housed within the lock body, with another portion of the locking members being accessible for use (e.g. for retaining links of a chain, as described below). Typically, the lock will be configured such that the locking members are permanently associated with the lock body, regardless of their locked or unlocked condition.

Typically, each of the at least two independently operable locking members are spaced apart from each other on the lock body such that they do not hinder each other during their independent operation, and especially so if additional components (e.g. links of a chain being retained by a shackle) are likely to be associated with the locking members.

In some embodiments, for example, the independently operable locking members may be located on adjacent or opposite sides of an appropriately-shaped lock body (e.g. a cuboid-shaped lock body). In such a configuration, the independently operable locking members would be orientated in different directions, for example, away from each other, with operation of one independently operable locking member being unlikely to affect operation of any other independently operable locking member(s). In such a configuration, each independently operable locking member should also be able to house the additional component(s) referred to above without adversely hindering access to the other locking member(s).

The independently operable locking members may each have any form that is capable of being actuated such that a locking action is provided. In some embodiments, for example when the lock is a padlock, each of the at least two independently operable locking members may be a shackle. The shackles may be made from hardened steel, brass, fibre reinforced plastic, or generally any suitable material. Such shackles may operate via any suitable mechanism, for example by being configured to slide and/or pivot between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body. In alternative embodiments, the locking members may be provided in the form of a bolt or a latch that is operable to provide a lock (e.g. a retractable bolt which, when extended, locks a door).

The simplest forms of the lock may comprise two (or more) identical locking members, but it is to be appreciated that each of the two or more locking members could be different.

The lock of the present invention may include any number (greater than or equal to two) of independently operable locking members, subject to space on the lock body and its intended application. A good balance between utility and simple design may be achieved when the lock has two locking members (e.g. a padlock having two shackles, as described in further detail below). A number of advantageous results can be achieved with such a lock, which is still relatively easy to construct and easy for a user to operate.

The locking members of the lock of the present invention may be operable using any suitable mechanism. In some embodiments, all of the independently operable locking members may be actuated using the same locking member actuator. However, it is generally preferable that at least one of the locking members be operable by a first locking member actuator (i.e. a primary actuator), with one or more of the other locking member(s) being operable by a second locking member actuator (i.e. a secondary actuator). Whilst each independently operable locking member in the lock of the present invention may have its own distinct actuator, it is envisaged that distinct primary and secondary actuators should be sufficient for many applications.

Any suitable locking member actuator may be used. In some embodiments, for example, the locking member actuator may be a key, a combination lock, a thumbprint sensor or an electronic sensor capable of recognising a signal emitted from a paired digital device.

In some embodiments, combinations of such locking member actuators may be used.

Typically, however, and in keeping with the simple nature of some embodiments of the lock of the present invention, the first locking member actuator is a first key and the second locking member actuator is a second key. In some embodiments, the first key (for example) may be a “Master key” that can open all of the locking members.

In embodiments where keys are used to actuate the locking members, the lock or padlock of the present invention also typically comprises at least two lock barrels, each of which is operatively associated with a respective locking member. The lock barrels may each comprise a locking mechanism, for example a tumbler lock in the form of a pin, wafer or disc tumbler lock. Generally, any suitable locking mechanism may be used.

In some embodiments, each lock barrel may be configured to be removable from the lock body such that it can be replaced in the event of a key being lost or stolen. In such embodiments, it may not be necessary for the lock owner to have to replace the entire lock.

The lock or padlock of the present invention may incorporate colour coding or other indicia in order to identify different locking members and/or locking member actuators. For example, a lock may be provided with two locking members in the form of shackles that can be opened using different keys. Such a lock could be sold with keys having two visibly distinct colours (e.g. yellow and red) for matching with lock barrels having visible portions with the same colours. In this manner, it should be an easy task to identify which of the two presented lock barrels a specific key will actuate.

As noted above, the locks of the present invention may also include other well-known features that facilitate operation of the kind of lock in practice. Such features and their interrelationship with the other components of the lock described herein can readily be determined by a person skilled in the art.

In other aspects, the present invention provides a method for securing a chain to a barrier locking arrangement (e.g. a gate that provides access to a building site) that comprises a movable barrier (e.g. a swinging gate) and a second member (e.g. a gate post or a second swinging gate), and a method for locking a movable barrier to a second member (e.g. locking a swinging gate to a gate post). The method for securing a chain to a barrier locking arrangement that comprises a movable barrier and a second member comprises: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member in the closed position.

The method for locking a movable barrier to a second member comprises: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member.

Examples of suitable second members include fence posts (e.g. as described above) or other gates (e.g. where two swinging gates are used in order to provide an entrance wide enough for farming machinery to pass through). Similar to that described above, the site owner would typically be the person who is able to actuate the first shackle (e.g. using a first key), and therefore the only person able to remove the chain and padlock from the gate or second member. Any person who needs to be able to open the gate can be provided with a second key (or the like).

In the context of the methods of the present invention, it is to be understood that the chain may encompass any type of fastener that is able to be arranged around or through the barrier and second member and which includes links through which the shackles of the padlock are receivable in the manner recited above.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, shown is a lock in the form of padlock 10. Padlock 10 has a lock body in the form of body 12 and two locking members in the form of shackles 14 and 16. Shackles 14 and 16 are actuatable by inserting and turning different keys (not shown) into the appropriate apertures in lock barrels 18 and , respectively, in the well-known manner. Once so unlocked, shackles 14 and 16 can slide out from (and back into) the lock body 12 in the manner described below.

As can best be seen in Figures 1 and 3, shackle 14 and lock barrel 18 are offset to one side of the centre of body 12, whilst shackle 16 and lock barrel 20 are offset to the other side of the centre. In this manner, the operation of the respective lock barrels 18, 20 and shackles 14, 16 is completely independent of each other. Furthermore, as shackles 14, 16 are located on adjacent sides of the cuboid-shaped body 12, their independent operation will not be hindered in any way by each other.

Lock barrels 18 and 20 are replaceable, such that loss or theft of a key that actuates the respective lock does not necessitate the purchase of an entirely new padlock 10.

Replacing lock barrel 18 or 20 can be accomplished using techniques known in the art.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of padlock 10, in which a number of internal components of the padlock are shown. The independent operation of shackles 14 and 16 in padlock 10 is essentially the same as that for conventional padlocks and will therefore only be very briefly described here. Lock barrels 18 and 20 are operatively associated with drivers 22 and 24 and ball bearings, shown generally as 26. As shown in Figure 5, when assembled, ball bearing 26 (for example) is located inside chamber 28, and is moved into and out of shackle receiving chamber 30 upon rotational movement of driver 22 (which is caused by turning a key (not shown) in lock barrel 18). Another ball bearing 26 is similarly located inside chamber 32 (see Figure 5), and is moved into and out of shackle receiving chamber 34 upon rotational movement of driver 22. Shackle 14 (for example) has two recesses 36 and 38 in its long and short arms respectively, which are adapted to receive the ball bearings 26, 26 therein when in a locked configuration such that the shackle 14 is not able to slidably move with respect to the body 12. However, upon actuation of the lock barrel 18 and driver 22, the ball bearings are caused to move out of the shackle receiving chambers 30 and 34 (and hence recesses 38 and 36), thereby allowing the shackle 16 to sideably move with respect to the body 12 whereupon its shorter arm exists the body 12 and is then accessible for threading linkages (for example a link of a chain or the like, not shown) thereon. The shackles 14 and 16 are configured for securing a linkage, and consequently a chain.

The long arm of shackle 14 is retained within the lock body 12 and may be pivoted in the shackle receiving chamber 34 in the conventional manner.

In use, different keys (not shown) are required to open shackles 14 and 16 of the illustrated, but not all, embodiments. Thus, to return to the example provided earlier, where padlock 10 is to be used to lock a gate (not shown), the site owner could loop a chain (not shown) around and/or through the gate post and use shackle 14 to retain links of the chain and thereby lock the chain to the gate post. The remainder of the chain (or a second chain) can then be looped around and/or through the gate (or the gate post and gate), with shackle 16 used to retain appropriate links of that chain. Third parties who need to access the site could be provided with a key which would enable them to open shackle 16, and hence unlock the gate. However, as the site owner is the only person who can open shackle 14, then the padlock 10 and chain remains securely affixed to the gate post, even should someone forget to re-lock shackle 16. As would be appreciated, padlock 10 can be used in place of a regular padlock to lock such a gate, but also advantageously prevents the padlock and/or chain from being stolen.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a number of new and useful results. For example, specific embodiments of the lock and padlock of the present invention may provide one or more of the following advantages: • locks having two or more independently operable locking members can be configured for operation by two or more different users, the different users potentially being able to access different areas or achieve different outcomes, depending on which locking member they can open; • padlocks having two (or more) shackles are less likely to be stolen, due to them always being able to remain locked to a fixture during use; and • a single lock or padlock can be used to independently lock two or more items.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1.:

1. A lock comprising a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein a first locking member is operable by a first locking member actuator and a second locking member is operable by a second locking member actuator.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the first locking member actuator is a first key and the second locking member actuator is a second key.

4. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least two lock barrels, each lock barrel being operatively associated with a respective locking member.

5. The lock of claim 4, wherein each lock barrel is configured to be removable from the lock body.

6. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the at least two independently operable locking members are spaced apart from each other.

7. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lock body is substantially cuboid in shape and the at least two independently operable locking members are located on adjacent sides of the lock body.

8. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the at least two independently operable locking members is a shackle.

9. The lock of claim 8, wherein each shackle is configured to slide between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body.

10. The lock of claim 8 or claim 9, comprising two shackles.

11. The lock of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.

12. A padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles.

13. A method for securing a chain to a barrier locking arrangement that comprises a movable barrier and a second member, the method comprising: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member in the closed position.

14. A method for locking a movable barrier to a second member, the method comprising: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member.

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the movable barrier comprises a gate.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the second member comprises a second gate or a gate post.