US2374669A - Padlock - Google Patents

Description

May l, 1945.

H. J. DEQUlcK PADLOCK Filed Feb. 8, 1943 'f". @L a Patented May 1, 1945 Henry J. Dequick, Chicago, Ill., assgnor to The Illinois Lock Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 8, 1943, Serial No. 475,116

9 claims.. (c1. vo-ss') This invention relates to a key-operated padlock of the type which utilizes a shackle slidable inwardly and outwardly relative to the padlock body, and is concerned with various features of improvement by which to enhance the protective capacity of the lock, by which to assure its dependable operation over a long period of service, and by which to simplify assembly (also disassembly) of the lock parts Within the body or casing therefor. More particularly, I aim, by a simple and rugged mechanism, to provide dual locking devices engageable and disengageable simultaneously with both arms of the shackle; to devise an effective block and gear assembly which may serve as the dual locking devices; to utilize for the gears a transmission in the form of a bolt' having means by which to facilitate an operative connection With the block-gear assembly and a resilient connection with the lock body; to employ between the bolt and an operating cylinder plug therefor a lost-motion driving connection whichserves also to maintain these parts axially aligned; to apply'to the parts comprising the transmission a tension force which is exerted also upon the cylinder plug whereby to prevent lost motion or rattling between all of such parts; and to secure the cylinder plug in place irremovably by a split spring ring having special provision for release of the plug in response to manipulation by a key designed particularly for the purpose.

These and other objects of my invention may be realized from the construction of padlock such as is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing wherein- Figure 1 is a view in vertical section and perspective of the padlock in its locked position;

. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views, the former showing the locking parts retracted by keyoperation of the lock to free the shackle for longitudinal movement into or outv of the lock body, these same parts, in the latter view, being in the position which they occupy following release of torsion force by the key with the shackle fully advanced out of the lock body;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the cylinder plug-bolt-driving gear assembly, these parts being axially aligned but in slightly spaced relation; and

Fig. 7 is a View `in perspective of the gear block per se.

As shown, I utilize a body A wherein is an elongated cylindrical'chamber'a` opening on to the upper endof the body, a second cylindrical chamber b, in spaced parallel relation thereto, opening on to the same body end, and a third cylindrical chamber` c, parallel `withr theothers, opening on to the opposite body end, `and in offset, but communicating, relation to the second chamber. `Between the rst and second chambers is a transverse passageway d in communication With each and with the third chamber which is' made of relatively larger diameter.- If this passageway continue on to one or both edges of the body A, then a plug (or'plugs) I0 may be secured in place to provide an end closure (or closuresltherefor.

`Within the third chamber is fitted a cylinder plug B which may be of the usual sliding tumbler type. As by means of aA suitable key (not shown) the plug may be operated to project its tumblers I I oppositely into positions within arcuate channels IZ and I3 extending lengthwise within the chamber whereby to secure the plug against rotary'movement. At the inner end of the plug is a head I5 formed with a circumferential groove I6 wherein maybe seated a, split spring ring C Whose two ends I 8 are outwardly turned to lie substantially parallel. In diametrically opposite regions, each about 90 distant from its twoends,

the ring is provided with two' outwardly extended arcuate protrusions I9 adapted to lie-Within a pairV of arcuate grooves 20 formed interiorly of the chamber c in a plane transversely of its axis. When the cylindrical plug is tted in place,

the spring ring will be seated Within the cylinadapted to engage alternately the opposite ends of a second lug 26, extending arcuately about the same axis through or so, and carried upon a cylindrical bolt D which is rotatably tted inlthe chamber C in coaxial relationship with the cylinder plug. A head 2'I is also formed on the bolt, spaced from the lug 26, the outer peripheral faces of this head and lug being substantially coincident with the confronting walls of the chamber Y joinY the shoulder is coiled about the bolt with its two ends anchored respectively thereto'(as in the slot 29) and to the.

lock lbody (as in the channel I3). Due to tension of the spring the bolt is normally maintained vin a xed rotative position relative4 to the plug., so as to move therewith, but may, in response to a counter` force, move through a limited distance-90 being the limit hereinV indicated. Extending axially beyond the independently thereof bolt head 21 is a cylindrical stem 30 terminating in a diametrical tongue 3|. It will be observed that the cylinder plug B isdevoid of any'connection with the bolt D, and the latter is unconnected with the body within whose chamber c it is accommodated, exceptfor one end o'f the spring 26 which is free to slide in and out of the channel I3 whenever the bolt is in process of insertion Awithin or removal from the padlock body.

The passageway d is adapted to receive a block E in thegeneral form of a plate having anges depending from its opposite sides and posts 36 upstanding from its four corners, whereby to serve as spacers vvfor engaging the bottom and top faces, respectively, of the passageway. The length of the block is substantially equal ,to the distance between the axes of the chambers a and b, so that, at opposite ends thereof', I have provided arcuate' notches '.31 whereby to assure a registration of the curved faces vthus for-med with the adjacent walls of these two chambers. Through the 'block in one end region thereof is a circular .hole 38 and in a corresponding position in the other end region is an upstanding circular 'boss 39. The axis of the hole 38 is substantially coincidentwith that of `the chamber c so as to freely receive the stem 30 projecting from the bolt D and furnish a supporting bearing therefor; 1

The upper face of the block Vaiords a mounting for a pair of meshing gears Fand G, the former being providedv with a flattened central 'opening llnwherein ythe tongue 3| may be received to transmit a'rotary force `thereto whereby it may drive the second gear wherein is an axial hole I through which is extended the boss 39 about which this gear is freely rotatable. One fullradius section of the periphery of the driving gear F is arcuate concentrically with 'its axis, an adjacent flat section 46 'is ldisposed tangentially to a shorter radius, and a third section, extending between a pair of shoulders 41 and 48, is provided with teeth 49. Thedriven gear G is formed in one section, between shoulders V5|) v and 5|, with teeth 52 meshing with those on the companiondriving gearF, with an adjacent flat section 53 tangential to ashorter'ra'dius, one end of the flattened, section beingprovided a projecting heel 54,l andV with a third. section 55 of' fullradius extending from 'the heel arcuately concentrically with the axis ofthe gear to Two meshing gears so formed will have capacity for rotary movement through approximately 90 from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3 and vice versa, the limits being reached upon interengagement of' the shoulders 4B and 50 (Fig. 2) or 41 and '5| (Fig. 3). In the position of Fig. 3, following operation of the cylinder plug, the two flats 46 and '53 occupy parallel furthest removed positions and the arcs 45 and 55 adjacent postions along one of the longer sides of the block; whereas in-Fig. 2 the positions of the two flats and two arcs are substantially reversed.

To complete the padlock I employ a` shackle H having long and short arms and 6|, respectively, the former receivable within the chamber a and the latter within the chamber b. Each arm V:is-by preference formed of cylindrical stock having a diameter very slightly smaller than that of ythe two Ychambers so as to be freely slidable longitudinally thereof. In the two shackle arms are facing transverse concave notches 62 and 63 each accommodating the full-radius arc section of the proximate gear when the parts are in the normal locking position of Fig. 2. Effective resti-aint aga-inst longitudinal movement of the shackle is thereby provided for each of its two arms." In the other extreme position, however (Fig. 3), this means ofrestraint, i. e., the fullradius arcs, is withdrawn, the flats (tangential to shorter radii) then lying opposite, but exteriorly of, the two notches whereby the shackle is free for longitudinal movement. For a limited distance from the notch 63 the long arm is flattened, as at 64, along'its inner face and then beveled inwardly at 65 to join a neck 66 of reduced diameter' which adjoins a transverse shoulder 5l`r beyond ywhich full diameter of the shackle is again resumed. Such alconstruction permits the shackle, when fully advanced outwardly, to swing freely through 360 since (a) its short arm is then free of thepadlock body, (b) the flat '53 of the gear G will preventthe shackle from advancing outwardly'beyondv the point of engagement of the shoulder 61 therewith, and (c) the neck 560i relatively small diameter will be disposedy opposite this gear which is then-'incapable of opposing swinging movement of the shackle about the axis ofits longer leg.

In operation, the key-operated cylinder plug 4 will, under inuence of the spring 28, tend to return the parts tothe normal locking position of Fig. 2. So long as the shackle remains in its out position this cannot takeplace, but only a very slight return movement (see Fig. 4) insofar as permitted by play .between the operating parts.

In .this last position vthe heel 54l will be advanced against the neck 66 to act as a brake against toofree swinging movement of-the shackle. rTo restore the shackle to locked condition, its short arm is iirst brought to position opposite the chamber b, which thereupon places the long arm flat 66 andgear iiat 53 opposite each other to. clear the way for in movement of the shackle in response to a force suiiicient (a) to overbalance counter tension of a spring l0 which'is conned between the endfof the shackle long arm rand the end of the chamber a, and (b) to displace the heel 54 of the driven gear as the beveled face 65 is advanced therealong. 'v

By the' improved lconstruction herein :disclcsed, Iprovide for simultaneously locking and unlocking both arms ofthe shackle, thereby obviously enhancing the protective capacity of the padlock; the locking devices used are in the form o f two meshing gears which provide, through interengaging means, their own stops for limiting the movement range to the desired distance, here indicated as approximately I utilize a single spring exerting its force from the cylinder-plug through the bolt and locking devices, whereby all' such parts are prevented normally from rattling or moving onewith respect to another; the

construction of the parts, which are durable, simple and sturdy, and the arrangement thereof, are such as to facilitate their assembly, and also disassembly' by one who possesses the requisite knowledge and implements. In this connection it should be noted that assembly involves (1) fitting of the shackle H in place, then (2) positioning ofthe block E, with gears in place thereon, within the transverse passageway, and then (3) insertion of the cylinder plug B with bolt D iitted thereon. Securement of the closure plugs ID is a iinal operation. Accurate positioning of 'the block is assured when it engages the shackle long arm, the driving gear F then being axially aligned with the stem 30 to facilitate fitting of its tongue 3l into the elongated opening 40 of this gear. To disassemble, the shackle short arm is first removed from the chamber b to expose the upper end of the channel I'2; a thin key 22 is then inserted into the channel to the point of engaging, within the V-slot 2l at its acting end, the outturned ends of the split ring which is thereupon contracted suiiiciently to permit release of the cylinder plug Vfrom the chamber c. Withdrawal of the bolt D may readily follow, andwith this part removed the block E may be shifted endwise away from `the long arm of the shackle a distance sufficient to free the shackle for separation from the padlock body.

I claim:

1. The combination with a padlock of the type wherein the body is provided with two communicating chambers opening on to opposite ends of the body, and with a third chamber opening on to one body end for receiving the long arm of a shackle whose short arm is receivable in the other chamber which opens on to the same end of the body, and with a transverse passageway communicating with all three chambers the last of which is occupied by a cylinder plug, of an arcuate lug extended beyond the inner end of the plug concentrically with the axis thereof, a bolt coaxially rotatable with the plug beyond its inner end and receiving bearing from the arcuate lug thereof and provided with spaced means extending toward the plug for alternate engagement for 'alternate engagement with opposite ends of the means thereonvwith sufficient play therebetween the confine to definite limits relative rotation between the plug and bolt, a spring connecting'the bolt and body tending to -rotate the former to one extreme position, interconnected dual locking devices comprising interrneshingv Vgears rotatable about parallel axes one of .which is coaxial with the plug, each of the gears being enlgageable with one arm of the shackle, and means catingchambers opening on to opposite'ends of the'body, and with athird chamber opening on to one body endfor lreceiving the long arm of a shackle whose short arm is receivable inthe other chamber which opensv on to the same end v .of thebody, and with a transverse passageway communicating with all three chambers the'last of which is occupied by a cylinder plug from whicha transmission including a non-round stem is extended axially into the passageway, of an elongated mounting block receivable within the passageway and extended between the two arms of the shackle for confinement therebetween and formed near one end with a projecting circular boss andvnear the other end with an opening throughwhich the stem is extensible to receive bearing therefrom, and a pair of mutilated meshing gears carried on the mounting block one formed with an axial opening for fitting over the boss and the other with an axial opening for fitting over the stem in non-rotatable engagement therewith, the teeth of the two gears being extended through a limited range for confining ro- 40 tation of the gears to a iixed distance, two porwith opposite ends of the lug thereon with suflil cient play therebetween to confine to definite limits relative rotation between the plug and bolt, a spring connecting the bolt and body tending to rotate the former to one extreme position wherein one of its spaced means is in engagement with one end of the lug, interconnected dual locking devices, one engageable with each arm of the shackle, and means on the bolt operatively connected therewith adapted, in response to rotation of the plug, to produce concurrent operation of the locking devices.

2. The combination with a padlock of the type wherein the body is provided with two communicating chambers opening on to opposite ends of the body, and with a third chamber opening on to one body end for receiving the long arm of a shackle whose short arm is receivable in the other chamber which opens on to the same end of the body, and with a transverse passageway communicating with all three chambers the last of which is occupied by a cylinder plug, of a bolt coaxially rotatable with the plug beyond its inner end, coacting means on the plug and bolt adapted tions of the periphery of each gear being extended outwardly different distances one of which is less, and the other more, than the radial distances to the proximate shackle arms in each Vof which is a transverse slot wherein a portion of the associated gear of maximum radial distance may enter when rotated to one extreme position and out of which it is moved when rotated to the other extreme position.

4. The combination with a padlock of the type wherein the body is provided with two communicating chambers opening on to opposite endsA of the body, and with a third chamber opening on to one body'end for receiving the long arm of a shackle whose short arm is receivable inthe other chamber which opens on to the same end of the body, and with a transverse passageway communicating with all three chambers the last of which is occupied by a cylinder plug from which a transmission including a stem is extended axially into the passageway, of an elongated mounting block receivable within the passageway and extended between the two arms of the shackle for confinement therebetween and formed near one end with a projecting circular boss and near the other end with an opening through which the stem is extensible to receive bearing therefrom, and a pair of meshing gears carried on the mounting vblock one formed with an axial opening for tting over vthe boss and the other with an axial Opening for fitting over the stem in non-rotatable engagement therewith, coacting means on the two gears for confining rotation thereof to a fixed distance, two portions of the periphery of at least one gear being ex- 'tended outwardly diierent distances oneof which is less, andthe other more, than the radial distance to theproximat'e-shackle-arm in .which is a transverse slot wherein'a portion of the'associated gear of maximum radial distance may enter when rotated to onev extreme positionand out of whichit is moved when rotated to the other extreme position. i

5. In a padlock, av body having intercommunicating chambers andtherewithin two arms of a shackle, multiple locking devices comprising intermeshing gears rotatable to engage and disen' gage both arms of the shackle, a cylinder plug rotatable in response to actuation of a key, .a rotary bolt inoperative connection with the locking devices and with the plug,and a spring. interconnecting the bolt and body and exerting there-v from opposing tensionA forces tending'to prevent relative motion between the plug,l bolt and locking devices. 1

6. In a padlock, a body having a pair of shackle chambers opening upon one end thereof, and a.

transverse'passa/gewayiextending between the'v two chambers,` a shackle having two arms one receivable .within eachchamber and -formed with opposed notches, a pairfof meshing gears mounted for rotation between the two shackle arms and formed with coacting shoulders providing stops for eonning their rotative movements to a fixed range, and locking means on each gear movable therewith into and out of engagement with the notch on the proximate shackle arm'alternately to secure the shackle against endwise movement relative to the body.

8. In a padlock, a shackle formed in its two arms with opposed notches, a rpair of interconn ected lockingl gears one engageable with a notch of eachshackle arm, a rotatable cylinder plug operable .by a key, and a rotatable transmission extending between the plug and one gear and in coaxial -relation therewith. v

9.A In. a padlock, a shackle formed in its two arms withopposed notches, a mountingI block disposed between the shackle arms and formed near one end with a circular boss and near its other end with a circular hole, a pair of meshing gears on the block formed Awith openings in register with the boss and hole, respectively, one gear being tted rotatable upon the boss, means carried by the gears for engaging and disengaging the shackle arm notches, and means for operating the gears comprising a cylindrical stem extending through the block hole and into'the proximate gear opening and serving both as a mounting and driving means therefor.

HENRYJ. DEQUICK.

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