Zipper padlock with a dual locking system
AssigneeThe Sun Lock Company Ltd.
InventorKarl Lai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A zipper lock has a combination locking system defined by dials and clutches and a key overriding mechanism. The lock has a pole to receive zipper pullers and a movable cover plate to block the pole when the lock is in the locked mode. The lock has a control plate with release slots. The control plate can be shifted only if the dials are set to the correct combination or when a correct key is used to turn a tumbler cylinder. The cover plate is engaged with a latch having a latch finger. When the lock is in the locked mode, the latch finger is blocked by the control plate, restricting movement of the latch. When the lock is in the unlocked mode, the latch finger can be moved into a release slot, allowing the latch and cover plate to move in order to clear the pole.
Claims12
A lock at least operable in a locked mode and an unlocked mode, comprising:
- a lock body;
- a pole formed in the lock body;
- a cover plate movable in a first movement direction between a first cover position to block the pole and a second cover position to clear the pole;
- a latch engageable with the cover plate for movement together in the first movement direction;
- and
- a control plate movable in a second movement direction between a first plate position and a second plate position, wherein
- when the control plate is located in the first plate position, the control plate is configured to restrict movement of the latch and the cover plate, and
- when the control plate is located in the second plate position, the cover plate is allowed to move from the first cover position to the second cover position together with the latch so as to change the lock from the locked mode to the unlocked mode, wherein the second movement direction is substantially perpendicular to the first movement direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.