US3254516A - Padlock - Google Patents

Description

June 1966 J. A. TORNOE ETAL 3,254,516

' PADLOCK Filed May 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [a 3.9 INVENTOR5 Jan/v 4, Teas/a: BY Poster 4. Mneorro J1me 1966 J. A. TORNOE ETAL 3,254,516

PADLOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 III! IN VEN TOR. 4. 7270/0! P0552? A, Mneorra xxx June 7, 1966 A. TORNOE ETAL 3,254,516

PADLOCK Filed May 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 Jb/w A. 725w: BY PaaiPf A Mnearro J. A. TORNOE ETAL 3,254,516

June 7, 1966 PADLOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 4, 1964 INVENTOR5 Jan/v 4, Zoe/v0: BY Past/27404420770 J 04%; Z W

A frees 5K;

United States Patent 3,254,516 PADLOCK John A. Tornoe and Robert A. Marotto, Redwood City, Calif., assignors to Schlage Lock Company Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,485 7 Ciairns. (Cl. 70-68) The invention relates to padlocks for securing relatively movable parts together in a releasable fashion under control of a key, particularly a key designed to operate a pin tumbler cylinder combination mechanism; Reference is had to Patent 2,691,288 assigned to the assignee hereof. I

It is an object of the invention to provide a padlock in which the interior mechanism is so interrelated as to inhibit the disassembly of the padlock by tampering or unauthorized means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a padlock which has adequate security and strength but is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and particularly to assemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide a padlock in which various of the different components perform multiple functions in order to reduce the complexity of the structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a padlock in which a standard pin tumbler cylinder mechanism can be utilized.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a padlock in which the cylinder combination mechanism can be interchanged from time to time by authorized persons.

A further object of the invention is to provide a padlock devoid of a blind plug in the padlock housing. 1

Other objects of the invention together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiments of the invention described inthe accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of an open padlock constructed in accordance with the invention, some of the structure being shown in cross section taken on a median longitudinal plane;

FIGURE 2 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a latch slide forming part of the padlock mechanism;

.FIGURE 5 is a view comparable to FIGURE 1, but showing the parts in locked position;

FIGURE 6 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view in cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a detail showing in cross section one of the latch slides in an extreme position;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded view showing the relative relationship of the frame and the covering or casing portions, the view being in isometric projection;

FIGURE 10 is a detail showing in isometric projection the relationship of part of the cylinder combination unit and a retainer;

FIGURE 11 is an isometric view of a shackle leg retainer;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation of a modified form of padlock pursuant to the invention, portions being broken away in cross section on a longitudinal transverse plane to illustrate a modified retainer;

FIGURE 13 is an isometric view of the retainer illustrated in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevation of a further modified form of padlock, portions being broken away to show in cross section on a median longitudinal plane a further modified form of retainer; and

FIGURE 15 is an exploded View showing in isometric projection the relationship of the retainer and cylinder combination unit of FIGURE 14.

While the padlock of the invention can be embodied in a number of different ways as shown'herein, and while it can also be further varied consistent with the underlying principles of the invention, it has been successfully incorporated for commercial utilization as shown herein.

In the preferred form of the arrangement, the padlock,

particularly as shown in FIGURE 1, includes a skeleton frame generally designated 6 including a number of different parts, most of which can be fabricated by stamping. The frame includes a transverse wall 7 extending crosswise of the frame and having an approximately elliptical shape in plan. The transverse wall 7 is provided with a pair of openings. One of the openings 8 is situated adjacent one end of the wall. whereas the other opening 9 is adjacent the other end of the wall and is particularly defined by an inwardly extending boss 11 affording a rounded entrance 12. Arranged parallel to and adjacent the transverse wall 7 is a cross wall 13.

of approximately the same shape as the wall 7 and similarly provided with a hole 14 of substantial extent in alignment with the opening 8 and provided also with an aperture 16 in approximate alignment with the opening Part of the frame is an intermediate brace wall 17 (FIGURE 9) of the same external configuration as the walls 7 and 13 and disposed parallel thereto. The various walls 7, 13 and 17 are held in appropriate relationship in the frame by a bottom plate 18 of similar configuration extended by a pair of integral side walls 19 and 21. These are folded upwardly from the bottom wall 18 with an otfset 22 and have openings 23 and 24 and slots 25 and 26 interfitting with appropriate tongues 27 on the respective brace, transverse and cross walls. In this fashion a skelton frame is afforded to support the remaining portions of the structure.

Resting on the bottom wall 18 and passing through the openings and holes in the higher walls is a rolled sleeve 28 defining a circular cylindrical passageway and projecting above the transverse wall 7. Also struck up from and projecting above the transverse wall 7 are lateral tabs 29 and 31 lying just inside the upper ends of the walls 19 and 21 to serve as positioning devices and reinforcing ribs.

Overlying substantially all of the skeleton frame 6 is a housing including a shell 32 having a top wall 33 provided with openings 34.and 36 in alignment with the openings 8 and 9 respectively. The shell 32 is formed to lie snugly against the tops of the side walls 19 and 21 and to overlie closely the margins of the brace, transverse and cross walls. Additionally, the housing is completed by a bottom cup 38 having an upturned margin 39 closely engaging the bottom plate and telescoping with or interfitting with the shell 32. The lower end of the shell is crimped or turned to underlie the cup 38 and thus form a complete housing. The cup has a relatively large bottom opening 41 (FIGURE 9) having a generally circular portion 42 and an elongated extension 43., 1

Designed to cooperate with the frame is a movable shackle 46. This is conveniently a curved bar for the most part of circular cross section formed into a U configuration to establish a pair of legs 47 and 48. The

leg 47 is directed into and through the opening 34 in the shell and into the interior of the tubular sleeve 28. The leg 48 is movable, with the shackle, into and out of the opening 36 and the opening 9. The end 49 of the leg 48 is rounded to afford easy entrance into the openings 36 and 9.

Properly to relate the shackle to the frame, the leg 47 is at its lower end contoured to afford a reduced portion 51 in contact with a coil spring 52 disposed within the sleeve 28 and resting at its bottom on one arm 53 of a bell crank 54. The arm 53 is circular and is loosely con fined against lateral movement by the sleeve 28. The fulcrum 56 of the bell crank is a curved portion urged against the bottom plate 18. The other arm 57 of the bell crank extends from the fulcrum at right angles to the arm 53. As shown in FIGURE 11, the arm 57 is an arcuate strip at its upper end provided with an enlargement 58 of arcuate form having a struck out stirrup 59 lying staight across the bell crank.

Under the urgency of the spring 52, the shackle 46 is urged upwardly out of the frame, but this force is met by the stirrup 59 lying over a shoulder 61 formed at one side of a circular groove 62 cut around the leg 47. When the parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 1, for example, the stirrup 59 is in the path of outward movement of the shackle and holds the shackle from further outward movement. Since the groove 62 extends entirely around the leg 47, the shackle can be freely rotated when the lock is in the open position as shown in FIGURE 1, but cannot be axially withdrawn from the lock frame.

In addition to the groove 62, the shackle leg 47 is provided with a longitudinal slot 63 merging at one end with the groove and establishing a flat surface 64 designed to slide along the straight surface of the stirrup 59. Under appropriate inward pressure, the shackle can be forced into the sleeve 28, compressing the spring 52, and occupying a locked or closed position, as shown in FIG- URE 5, with both shackle legs within the framework of the lock. Since the flat surface 64 and the straight stirmp 59 slide upon each other as the shackle is reciprocated, the shackle legs must be in alignment with their apertures 34 and 36 throughout their intermediate sliding motion, and rotation of the shackle is not possible until the leg 47 is in its uppermost position, as shown in FIGURE 1, with the stirrup 59 lying within the circumferential groove 62.

Means are provided for holding the shackle in its locked position when both legs 47 and 48 are within the framework. Located between the top wall 33 of the shell 32 and the transverse wall 7 is a pair of latch slides 71 and 72 (see FIGURES 2 and 4). The slides 71 and 72 are arranged opposite each other but are of the same configuration. Each of the slides includes a centrally arcuate, straight end flange 73 extending transversely across one end and adapted to slide on the transverse wall 7. Each slide also includes a number of legs 74, 76 and -'77 at the extremities of bars 78, 79 and 81 also slidable on the transverse wall 7. The slide is thus supported for reciprocatory, sliding movement. The width of the slides is such that their side walls 82 and 83 bear against the tabs 29 and 31 acting as lateral guides.

Between the bars '79 and 81 each slide has an offset lug 84 designed to fit into a compression spring 85 butting against the corresponding or opposite leg 76 on the interfitting bar 79 of the other slide. In this fashion, the two slides are urged apart, yet the interfitting bars 79 and 81 act as additional rectilinear guides. Indented, arcuate portions 86, in a retracted position of the slides as shown in FIGURE 2, entirely clear the shackle 46. When the slides, urged opposite each other by the springs 85, move to occupy their spread-apart positions, they each lie wit-hin respective ones of a pair of notches 87 and 88 formed within the legs 47 and 48. When the shackle 46 is urged into the framework against the pressure of the spring 52, the shackle legs in entering the framework move over and displace the slides 71 and 72 until the notches 87 and 38 come into position, whereupon the springs 85 urge the slides apart and to lie within the notches. The slides then prevent withdrawal of the shackle from the frame.

In order that the slides may be appropriately actuated, and so that the padlock can be key controlled, there is disposed within the frame a pin tumbler cylinder com- :bination arrangement generally designated 91. This includes a cylinder body 92 having a circular cylindrical configuration with a flat extension 93 projecting radially therefrom. The cylinder body 92 is designed to receive a key 94 in a plug 96 to actuate the tumbler combination mechanism (standard, and not illustrated) within the cylinder body and extension. When the proper key is positioned, the cylinder plug 96 is rotatable by the key within the cylinder body and produces corresponding rotation of a driver blade 97.

The blade 97 extends through an appropriately shaped opening 98 in the transverse wall 7 and is disposed between the legs 76 of the slides. When the blade 97 is in a cross or transverse position (see FIGURES 5 and 6), the slides are urged and disposed apart by the springs 85. When the key 94 and the blade 97 are turned, then the edges of the blade 97 cam against the legs 76 and overcome the urgency of the springs to draw the slides toward each other and out of the notches 87 and 88. The shackle 46 is thus released and under the urgency of the spring 52 is expelled as far as possible or until the shoulder 61 abuts the stirrup 59.

Because of the configuration of the opening 41 in the bottom cup 38, the cylinder unit 91 is easily movable into and out of the padlock frame, the extension 93 passing through the opening portion 43, and the cylindrical portion 92 passing easily through the circular opening 42. When the cylinder unit 91 is in position, it lies close to and laterally confines and backstops the arm 57 of the bell crank 54. When the cylinder unit 91 is removed, the bell crank cannot be laterally withdrawn from the sleeve but can be rocked to release the shackle 46.

In order to retain the cylinder unit 91 in position and to block and close the opening extension 43, there is provided, particularly as shown in FIGURE 10, a retainer 101. This is a U-shaped device having a bottom plate 102 of substantial construction and of a configuration to occupy all of the opening 41 except that portion occupied by the end of the cylinder unit 91. This affords a continuous and uniformly closed bottom surface. Upstanding from the plate 102 at one end is an arcuate wall 103 having a rectangular opening 104 therein. The opening is of such a size that the wall 103 can be slipped over the extension 93 of the cylinder unit to lie on opposite sides of the extension, above it and below it. The cylinder unit is therefore fixed with respect to the member 101 except in an assembling and separating direction as shown in FIGURE 10.

Also upstanding from the plate 102 is a wall 106 abut ting the extension 93 and ending in an upper tab 107 partially defined by notches 108 and 109. The length and extent of the wall 106 is such that when it is in position with respect to the cylinder unit 91, the cylinder unit and the member 101 together can be inserted into the lock frame and the tab 107 then extends through the aperture 16 and lies above the cross Wall 13 (FIGURE 1).

When the lock is open, the tab 107 is then accessible through the openings 36 and 9 to an appropriate tool, such as long-nosed pliers. T he tab can then he twisted, particularly as shown in FIGURE 3, so that the retainer and cylinder unit cannot subsequently be withdrawn from the lock frame.

When the cylinder unit and its retainer 101 are in position, substantially all of the room in the openings in the walls 13 and 17, as well as in the bottom cup 38, is occu-pied. These parts cannot shift and the bell crank 54 cannot rock on its fulcrum 56 and so cannot be withdrawn from the groove 62.

In the preferred assembly of this padlock, the frame and housing members are disposed substantially as shown in FIGURE 9. The slides 71 and 72 are positioned. They are kept from moving into positions overlying and blocking the driver blade opening 98 by lugs 111 upstanding from the transverse wall 7 in positions to serve 'as backstops for the slides. The shell 32 is positioned. The bell crank 54 and spring 52 are put into position and the shackle leg 47 is inserted and snapped past the stirrup 59 until the shoulder 61 is engaged. When the retainer 101 has been assembled with the cylinder unit 92, that sub-assembly is then introduced into the frame. The blade 97 passes through the opening 98 and lies between the down-turned legs 76 of the slides 71 and 72. After the tab 100 has passed freely through the aperture 16, a tool is introduced through the apertures 36 and 9 and the tab is twisted and deformed to fix the parts in position. The bottom cup 38 is positioned, and the shell 32 is crimped against the bottom cup 38. The lock. can then be disassembled only when it has been put into unlocked position by an appropriate key and a tool has been introduced through the openings 36 and 9 to straighten the tab .107.

There are various forms of retainers -for the standard lock mechanism. As shown particularly in FIGURES 12 and 13, most of the parts are substantially the same as before but the cross wall 113 has a ditferently shaped aperture 114 therein. Largely surrounding the extension 93 of the cylinder body 92 is a stamped retainer 116 having a pair of side walls 117 and 118 joined at a relatively heavy, reinforced bottom wall 119 retaining a filler plate 120. The upper ends of the side walls are brought toward each other and are then bent to lie against each other in top portions 121 and 122. These top portions have slightly separated extensions 123 and .124 all capable of passing through the aperture 114.

In this instance the extension 93 is 'socketed in the retainer between the walls 117 and 118 and beneath the top portions 121 and 122. The sub assembly is made and bandled as before. Finally, the slightly separated extensions 1'23 and 124 are spread and deformed by a tool inserted through the open lock apertures. The spread positions overlie the wall 113 and are indicated by the dotted lines 12-5. This retainer is thus held in position against the cross plate 113 and prevents extraction of the cylinder body from the lock frame. The construction and fit of the wall 119 are such that no substantial crack or cervices are left for the insertion of a prying tool to gain improper entry to the lock.

As shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, the retainer can alternatively be provided by a special configuration on the lock cylinder body unit. The lock body 92 is as before, but a different extension v126, although largely of the same configuration, is provided with a locking projection 127. This includes an upwardly directed, pointed end 12 8 in part defined by grooves 129 and 131. The projection 127 is receivable in the lock frame through an aperture 132 in a cross wall 133. Situated in the lock frame between the transverse Wall 7 and the cross wall 133 is'a retainer clip 134. This is a formed, springy member having an opening 136 in the upper end thereof to permit the clip to lie around and be located by the boss 11 defining the opening 9. The clip 134 has a pair of depending spring tabs 139 and 141. These are so disposed that when the projection 127 is forced upwardly into position, the tabs 1'39 and 141 are initially sprung apart by the pointed end 128. When the parts are in final position, the tabs 139 and 141 spring into the slots 12-9 and 13 1, thus holding the parts in position. The tab's can be spread, when the lock is open, by a special tool introduced through the opening 9 to allow withdrawal of the cylinder unit and further disassembly of the padlock.

What is claimed is:

1. A padlock comprising a housing having a pair of openings therein, a shackle having a pair of legs, means for movably mounting said shackle in said housing with one of said legs extending through one of said openings and the other of said legs passing into and out of the other of said openings, means in saidhousing for releasably engaging said legs, a cylinder lcombination body in said housing, a cylinder plug mounted in said body, means on said plug for actuating said engaging means, retaining means in said housing and removable therefrom with said cylinder combination body .for retaining said body within said housing, and means integral with said retaining means and accessible through said other opening for deformation by a tool for securing said retaining means in said housing and for restoration by a tool for releasing said retaining means from said housing.

2. A padlock comprising a housing having a pair of openings therein, a shackle having a pair of legs, means for movably mounting said shackle in said housing with one of said legs extending through one of said openings and the other of said legs passing into and out of the other of said openings, means in said housing for releasably engaging said legs, a cylinder body having a radial exten sion and movable into and out of said housing along a predetermined path, a cylinder plug mounted insaid body, means on said plug for actuating said engaging means, a cross wall secured in said housing, said cross wall having an aperture therein in alignment With said other opening, and a retainer in said housing extending into said path in the 'way of movement of said radial extension out of said housing to hold said cylinder body within said housing, said retainer having a portion extending through said aperture and bent over said cross wall.

3. A padlock comprising a frame, a transverse wall in said frame and having a pair of openings therein, a cross wall in said frame having a hole therein in alignment with one of said openings and having an aperture therein in alignment with the other of said openings, a cup underlying said frame and having a passageway therein, a shell overlying said frame and said cup, said shell having opening's therein in alignment with said openings in said transverse wall, a shackle having a pair-of legs movable into and out of said openings in said transverse Wall, means between said shell and said transverse wal-lfor releasably engaging said legs, a cylinder combination body movable into and out of said frame through said passageway, a cylinder plug in said body, means on said plug for actuating said engaging means, and a retainer disposed in part of said passageway in the path of said cylinder body out of said frame and extending through said aperture in said cross wall and engaging said cro'ss wall in a portion thereof in alignment with said other opening in said transverse wall.

4. A padlock comprising a frame, a transverse wall in said frame and having a pair of openings therein, a cross wall in said frame having a hole therein in alignment with one of said openings and having an aperture therein in alignment .with the other of said openings, a cup underlying said frame and having a passageway therein, a shell overlying said frame and engaging said cup, said shell having openings therein in alignment 'with said openings in said transverse wall, a shackle having a pair of legs moveable into and out of said openings in said transverse Wall, means between said shell and said transverse wall for releasably engaging said legs, a cylinder combination body having a projection thereon and movable into and out of said frame through said passageway, a cylinder plug in said body, means on said plug for actuating said engaging means, and a retainer disposed in part of said passageway substantially flush with said cup and in the path of said projection out of said frame and extending through said aperture in engagement with said cross wall.

5. A padlock comprising a frame, a transverse wall in and a slot merging with said groove, a bell crank having a fulcrum abutting a portion of said frame, a bar on one arm of said bell crank adapted to fit into said groove and into said slot, and a spring engaging the other arm of said bell crank and the end of said one leg for urging said bar into said groove and said slot and for urging said one leg out of said tube.

6. A padlock comprising a frame, a transverse wall in said frame and having a pair of openings therein, a shackle having one leg slidably mounted in said frame and movalble through one of said openings and having another leg movable into and out of the other of said openings, said one leg having a circumferential groove and a slot merging with said groove, a bell crank having a fulcrum abutting a portion of said frame, means on one arm' of said bell crank adapted to fit into said groove and into said slot, 2. spring engaging the other arm of said .bell crank and the end of said one leg for urging said means into said groove and said slot and for urging said one leg to move out of said one of said openings, a cylinder combination body in said frame in position to limit rocking movement of said bell crank, and means for holding said cylinder combination body on said frame.

7. A padlock comprising a frame having a shackle opening therein and having a lock opening therein to pass a lock cylinder body unit with a radial extension thereon,

said shackle opening so as to hold said retainer in place Within said frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,282,983 2/1942 Laoh 7038 2,374,669 5/1945 Dequick 70 38 2,408,137 9/1946 Gray et a1 70--38 2,527,086 10/1950 Swanson 70370 2,673,458 3/1954 Schlage 70 38 2,691,288 10/1954 Childs 7038 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,163,273 4/1958 France.

JOSEPH D. SEE-RS, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 7. A PADLOCK COMPRISING A FRAME HAVING A SHACKLE OPENING THEREIN AND HAVING A LOCK OPENING THEREIN TO PASS A LOCK CYLINDER BODY UNIT WITH A RADIAL EXTENDION THEREON, A LOCK CYLINDER BODY IN SAID FRAME AND OCCUPYING A PORTION ONLY OF SAID LOCK OPENING, MEANS FORMING PART OF SAID FRAME AND HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, AND A RETAINER HAVING A WALL WITH AN OPENING EMBRACING SAID RADIAL EXTENSION AND HAVING A BOTTOM PLATE SUBSTANTIALLY OCCUPYING THE REMAINDER OF SAID LOCK OPENING, SAID RETAINER ALSO HAVING A DEFORMABLE PORTION ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND MOVABLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FORMING MEANS BY A TOOL GAINING ACCESS TO SAID RETAINER THROUGH SAID SHACKLE OPENINGS SO AS TO HOLD SAID RETAINER IN PLACE WITHIN SAID FRAME.

Images