US3068682A - Padlock with dual blockers - Google Patents

Description

mm-v- Dec. 18, 1962 F. J; RUSSELL ETAL 3,068,682

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hired rates plus! The invention relates to padlocks particularly which employ a shackle and has particular reference to the mechanism by means of which the shackle is locked and unlocked.

In the conventional padlock, the construction is such that when the shackle is to be unlocked the key is inserted and turned to unlock position after which the shackle can be withdrawn far enough so that one leg clears to permit the shackle to be turned out of a staple, eye bolt, or other fastener hardware with which it is engaged. When the padlock is to be relocked, usually no key is needed in that merely by pressing the shackle back into position the locking mechanism snaps into place and holds it there until it is again unlocked.

On those rare occasions where devices of this nature have been built so that they are locked with a key rather than being snap-locked, the interior construction tends to follow conventional unlocking techiques rather than the simple and inexpensive techniques which have found favor in padlock constructions.

Because of the tendency to keep padlock mechanisms simplified, they have been for the most part relatively easy to pick by experienced persons, and the mechanisms heretofore resorted to have not been capable of being,

dead-locked to be proof against tampering. Among the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved padlock which adheres to the relatively simple and inexpensive construction inherent in padlocks, but which is especially secure in that dead-locking is provided for.

Also included among the objects of the invention is to provide such a padlock which is dead-locked with respect to both legs of the shackle when locked.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved padlock which employs two blockers, one for each leg of the shackle, having initially the function of retaining the shackle in place when locked, but wherein one of the blockers serves a double purpose in that it acts to retain the shackle within the padlock after the shackle has been moved to unlock position.

Another object or" the invention is to provide a new and improved padlock which is of such construction that it cannot be locked unless the key is turned to locked position, thereby making it impossible to merely snap the lock shut, the device further being so constructed that the key cannot be removed from the lock until it is rotated to locked position.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved but relatively inexpensive secure padlock wherein the locking mechanism is considerably simpliied by constructing the parts in a fashion enabling them to perform a dual service, and at the same time providing a padlock of rugged construction useful in a greater variety of circumstances than conventional padlocks.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing one form of the invention in locked position of adjustment;

3,068,682 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the device in unlocked position of adjustment;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal, sectional View of a modied form of the device shown in locked position;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal, sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the mechanism in unlocked position of adjustment;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal, sectional View similar to FIGURES 5 and 7, but showing the position of adjustment of the parts immediately prior to being locked;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1tl 10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 1l is a perspective view showing the dual blocker assembly made use of in the form of device of FIGURES 5 through 10 inclusive.

In a form of the device chosen for the purpose of illustration and particularly as illustrated in FIGURES l, 2, 3, and 4, there is shown a casing 10 for containing' the customary locking mechanisms provided with a shackle 11 having a long leg 12 and a short leg 13. The padlock'there shown is illustrated as being equipped with a key operated mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 14 having a tail piece 15 rotatably mounted therein and adapted to be manipulated by a key 16. The key operated mechanism here shown is of a substantially conventional sort including a barrel 17 received within an opening 18 having a suitable size and length. To retain the key operated mechanism in position there in employed a spring actuated detent 19 bearing upon a shoulder 2G in a manner similar to that described in detail in co-pending application, Serial Number 813,439, tiled May 15, 1959, now abandoned.

The casing is provided additionally with a long bore 21 adapted to accommodate the long leg 12 of the shackle I and a short bore 22 adapted to accommodate the short leg 13. Also in the casing there is provided a transverse recess 23 which extends cross-wise with respect to the hores and opening 18 at a location near the upper end of the casing as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2. The

transverse recess intersects both of the bores 21 and 22 and places them in communication with the opening 18. Normally, the transverse recess is formed by drilling through the casing at the location of a hole 24 after which the hole is closed by means of a plug 25 which is sweated or otherwise anchored permanently in position.

A coiled spring 26 seated at the bottom of the long bore 21 acts against the bottom end of the long leg 12 in order to extend the shackle in unlocked position of FIGURE 2 from the locked position of FIGURE 1.

To make it possible to lock the shackle in place, the long leg is provided with a notch Sti forming a locking shoulder 31. Similarly, the short leg is provided with a notch 32 forming a locking shoulder 33. In the embodiment chosen the notches 3i) and 32 are in alignment with each other transversely relative to the position and movement of the shackle as are also the locking shoulders 31 and 33. Additionally, the long leg 12 is provided `with an annular recess 34 located nearer the end of the leg than the notch 3d. The annular recess forms an annular retaining shoulder 35. It should be noted, however, that the annular recess is not as deep as the notch 3l) and hence the innermost end of the retaining shoulder is nearer the outside surface of the leg. A flat area 35 interconnects the shoulder 31 with the recess 34 at the -tion of FIGURES 1 and-3.

aosssa and 3. .Theblockerassembly inthis form of the device consists of two elements 41 and 42. The element 41 is adapted to engage the short leg 13 andthe-element 42 is adapted to engage the long leg 12. More particualrly, the element 41 is provided withY an inner section 43 of Vsubstantially the form of a half circle adapted to overlie an inner section 44 of the element 42 so that a dat face 45 of the inner section 43 slides upon a corresponding dat face 46 or" the inner section 44. Further still, the inner section 43 has a slot 47 formed therein substantially wider than the thickness ofthe tail piece 15 in order t provide ample clearance when the tail piece is rotated. A similar slot 48 is formed in the inner section 44 and these slots are in alignment transversely with respect to the longtiudinal axis of the blocker assembly when the blocker assembly is in the locked position of Flounrs 1 and 3.

In the operation of this form of the device, it may be assumed that the shackle initially is in the locked posi- In this position the elements 41 and 42 are extended outwardly through the transverse recess 23 so that outer ends engage respectively with the locking shoulders 33 and 31. In this position the key 16 Vcan be withdrawn if desired. It Will be noted further that there are clearances 49 and 50 at inner ends of the inner sections 43 and 44.

When the padlock is to be unlocked, the key 16 is rotated customarily about forty-five degrees which rota-A tion also causes the tail piece to be rotated through a similar-angular distance. Rotation in this fashion as shown causes the tail piece to act upon the'sides of the slots `47 and 43 in a direction such as to withdraw the elements 41 and 42 inwardly closing the clearances 49 and 50-asubstantial degree, the withdrawal being suflivciently great to have the elements 41 and 42 clear the shoulders 33 and 31. When thershoulders are-cleared energy stored in the spring 26pressing against the bottom of the long leg 12 will extend the shackle 11 outwardly to the position of FIGURE y2. By making use of conventional construction commonly available for key operated mechanisms'of the type illustrated by the reference character 14,y it can be provided that the key 16 cannot be removed when rotated tothe forty-live degree unlocked position of FIGURE 2. Hence, as 4long as the lock is in unlocked position the key cannot be withdrawn. Further by reason of the fact that the end of the element 42 cannot be moved outwardly because of engagement with the bottom of the annular recess 34, the key cannot be turned to locked `position as long as the shackle is extended, in order that it'niay be withdrawn.

When the padlock is to be locked, the shackle is pressed lback into the casing to the location illustrated in FIG- URE l. rThe key 16 Yis then rotated to the initial posiltion shownin FIGURE l thereby to extend the elements V41 and 42 into-engagement with the respective locking .shouldersV Vafter which the key 16.can then be Withdrawn.

`Further still, lin the -extended position, or unlocked position, of FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the end of the element 42 is in engagement with the annular retaining shoulder 3S. As the long leg has passed from the Yposition of FIGURE l to the position of FIGURE 2, it -has moved the fiat area 34 across the end of the element until the element is in engagement with the retaining the manner shown and described.

In the form of device illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 4 ll inclusive, the casing 1d, the shackle 11, and key operated mechanism 14 and associated parts and the form thereof is substantially the same'as in the form of invention of FIGURES l, 2, 3, and 4, and hence` the corresponding reference characters apply. In this form of device, however, there is provided a blocker assembly 55 The blocker assemof somewhat diierent construction. bly is shown in perspective view'removed from the device as in FIGURE 1l. In this instance, the blocker assembly consists of an element 56 which is provided with a reduced end portion 57 leaving a shoulder 5S separating the reduced end portion from the main body of the element 56. A second element S9 has an end portion 60 the outer circumference of which is substantially the same radius of curvature as the overall radius of curvature of the element. The element 56 has an inner section 61 cut out to form a flat face 62. Similarly, the element 59 has an inner section 63 cut out to form asimilar ilat face 64 which is adapted to coincide with and slide axially upon the face 62. In this form of device, there is provided a spring 65 acting between the free end of the inner section 63 and the element 56. A similar spring 66 is positioned so as to act between the'free end of the inner section 61 and the element 59, the springs serving normally to extend the elements 56 and Si? endwise away from each other.y

Further still, in the element 56 is a notch 67 which is in transverse alignment with a similar notch `68 in the element S9 when the elements are in the extended positions of FIGURES 5, 6, 7, 8, and ll. It should be noted particularly in this instance that'the notches 67 and 68 are substantially Wider than the thickness of the tail piece 15 to provide a materially greater clearance than is shown in the preferred form of FIGURES l through 4 inclusive. In this form ofthe vdevice also, a lip 69 is formed from the material of the casing so as to project slightly into the transverse recess 23 and to engage against the shoulder 53 of the ,element 56 Vthereby to limit outward extension of that element into the bore 22 under impetus of the springs 65 and 66.

In the operation of this form of the device, it may be assumed that the padlock is initially locked Vas shownin FIGURES 5 and 6. In this position the elements 56 Yand 59 are extended by the springs65 and 66 so that the reduced end portion 57 is projected into the bore 22 where it overlies and engages with the locking shoulder 33. At the same time the end portion 66 of the element 59 is projected into the bore 21 and into the notch 3i? so that it overlies the locking shoulder 31. Hence, both legs 12 and 13 of the shackle 11 areA retained in locked position by operation of the blocker assembly 55. When thepadlock is to be unlocked by manipulation of a key 16 of the same type and operation previously dened, the tail piece 15 is rotated through an angular distance of approximately forty-tive degrees to the position of FIG- URES 9 and l0. During this operation, the tail piece presses against appropriate walls of the notches 67 and 68 causing a shifting of the corresponding elem- ents 56 and 59 inwardly against tension in the springs and 66 until the elements are contracted far enough to clear the ,shoulders 31 and 33. When this occurs, tension built up this movement the outermost end of the end portion 6d slides-over the face 36 until the retaining shoulder 35 is moved into engagement with the end portion 6) as shown in FIGURE 7. In this position, the shackle is retained rotatably within the casing so that it is free to move about to any degree of rotation as long as the lock is unlocked.

When this form of the lock is to be locked, it is lnecessary only to align the short leg 13 Iwith the bore 2.2 and press the shackle inwardly into the casing. As the shackle is moved inwardly, a beveled edge Til impinges upon a corner of the end portion 57 camming the corresponding element 56 in a direction from right to left as viewed in FIGURES 9 and 10 against tension in the springs 65 and 65. As soon as the leg 13 moves far enough inwardly so that the notch 32 falls opposite the end portion 57 the notch 30 will at the same time fall opposite the end portion 63. The springs 65 and t will then act automatically to bring the blocker assembly into engagement with the shoulders and accordingly lock the shackle in position, without key manipulation being necessary. The same movement will rotate the tail piece 15 in reverse direction until it again assumes the position of FlGURE 5 in which position the key i6 can be removed.

lt will be understood from the description and drawings that the padlock herein disclosed is of extremely simple construction in that the blocker assembly which is in essence the locking mechanism, operated as described by the key operated mechanism is of particularly simple design, but that constructed in the manner shown, it performs a multiple function. The blocker assembly not only simultaneously locks both legs of the shackle but also serves as a means of retaining the shackle in position in unlocked adjustment of the padlock. Further still, in the form of device of FGURE l, the blocker assembly deadlocks both legs of the shackle thereby to render the padlock virtually tamper-proof.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

l. A padlock comprising a casing, a shackle having a long leg and a short leg, and a removable key operated mechanism including a rotatable tailpiece forming part of said removable mechanism, said casing having spaced parallel bores on respectively opposite sides receptive of said legs and having an opening intermediate said bores receptive of said key operated mechanism in operative position in the casing, said casing having a transverse recess therein having a substantially cylindrical form from end to end intersecting respectively the opening and both bores, and a blocker assembly reciprocatively mounted in said transverse recess, said blocker assembly comprising complementary mutually slidable elements having sections of relatively smaller size in overlying sliding relationship in a plane parallel to the aires oi' said legs, and a free end of each element extendible into the respective bore when in locked position and wherein one of said free ends remains partly extended into its respective bore when in unlocked position, said sections being in abutting relationship with each other, said inner sections having portions in alignment with each other and with the tailpiece and having said tailpiece engageable therewith, said legs in locked condition having locking shoulders in positions of engagement with respective free ends of said blocker assembly, said long leg of the shackle having a retaining shoulder thereon nearer the end thereof than the locking shoulder and engageable with the respective end of the blocker assembly in unlocked position of the shackle whereby to retain the shackle in engagement with the casing.

2. A padlock comprisinfy a casing, a shackle having a long leg and a short leg, a key-operated mechanism including a rotatable tail-piece and a key for said mechanism having a removable engagement with the mechanism in locked adjustment and a non-removable engagement with said mechanism in unlocked adjustment, said casing having spaced parallel bores on respectively opposite sides receptive of said legs and having an opening intermediate said bores having said key-operated mechanisrn therein, said casing having a transverse recess therein intersecting respectively the opening and both bores, and a blocker assembly reciprocatably mounted in the transverse recess, said blocker assembly comprising complementary mutually slidable elements having inner sections in overlying sliding relationship and a free end of each element extendible into a respective bore, said inner sections. having slots therein in alignment with each other and with the tail-piece said slots having a -width only slightly greater than the thickness of said tail-piece and having the tail-piece engageable therein with a relatively small clearance on both sides of the tail-piece, said legs havinglocking shoulders in alignment with each other and adapted to engage respective free ends of said blocker assembly in locked adjustment, said tail-piece being rotatable into engagement with said sections in an unlocking and a locking direction whereby to unlock said shackle and to lock said shackle by engagement with both legs, a substantially annular retaining shoulder on said long leg nearer the end thereof than the locking shoulder, said blocker assembly having a minimum contracted length wherein one free end remains extended into the respective bore and engageable with the respective end of the retaining shoulder in unlocked adjustment'of the shackle in various positions of rotation whereby to retain the shackle in engagement with the casing, said retaining shoulder having a breadth less than the locking shoulder on the long leg whereby to limit movement of the blocker assembly in unlocked adjustment and inhibit rotation of said tailpiece an amount suiiicient to permit removal of said key.

3. A padlock comprising a casing, a shackle having aV long leg and a short leg, and a self-contained removable key operated mechanism including a rotatable tailpiece forming part of said removable key operated mechanism, said casing having spaced parallel bores on respectively opposite sides receptive of said legs and having an opening intermediate said bores receptive of said key operated mechanism in operative position in the casing, said casing having a transverse recess therein of substantially cylindrical form from end to end intersecting respectively the opening and said bores, and a blocker assembly reciprocatively mounted in said transverse recess having elements smaller than the diameter of said transverse recess, said elements having an overlapping sliding relationship wit each other in a plane parallel to the axes of said legs, one of said slidable elements of the blocker assembly having a free end extendable into one of said bores, said elements of the blocker assembly having a slot means therein in alignment with the tailpiece and having said tailpiece engageable therein, the long leg having a locking shoulder adapted to engage a respective free end of said blocker assembly in locked position, said long leg having a substantially annular retaining shoulder thereon nearer the end thereof than the locking shoulder, said retaining shoulder in unlocked position being in alignment simultaneously with said blocker assembly and said tailpiece and engageable with the respective end of the blocker assembly in unlocked position of the shackle at various positions of rotation whereby the blocker assembly retains the shackle in engagement with the casing.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,419,359 Christoph June 13, 1922 1,660,903 Adamson Feb. 28, 1928 1,719,637 Werner July 2, 1929 2,469,018 Swanson May 3, 1949 2,557,028 Deutsch June 12, 1951 2,966,053 Mintz Dec. 27. 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 4.129 Great Britain 1909 428,570 Italy Dec. 22, 1947

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