Dual unlock padlock with reset function
AssigneeThe Sun Lock Company Ltd.
InventorKarl Lai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a padlock having dual locking control mechanisms, where one locking control mechanism is a key controlled mechanism and the other locking control mechanism is a combination controlled mechanism. The key controlled mechanism is configured to allow for unlocking and locking of the padlock through the use of a correct cut key, and the combination controlled mechanism is configured to allow for unlocking and locking of the padlock through the use of a correct lock open code entered into the combination controlled mechanism. The padlock may contain a combination reset function which enhances the user experience by allowing the user to have both hands available to turn the dials when resetting and/or reconfiguring the correct lock open code of the combination controlled mechanism.
Claims18
A padlock, comprising:
- a lock body;
- a bolt-cam mounted in the lock body and configured for rotational movement between a lock state and unlock state;
- a combination controlled mechanism configured to control the rotational movement of the bolt-cam at least from the lock state to the unlock state;
- a key controlled mechanism configured to control the rotational movement of the bolt-cam between the lock state and the unlock state;
- and
- a cable having a flexible-end neck configured for retention and removal from the lock body and a fixed end terminal neck mounted in the lock body, and wherein the flexible-end neck is operatively engaged with the bolt-cam for configuring the padlock between a locked mode when the flexible-end neck is retained in the locked body and an unlocked mode when the flexible-end neck is removed from the lock body;
- wherein the combination controlled mechanism comprises a spindle mounted for rectilinear movement within the lock body, one or more clutches and a reset clutch mounted in the lock body and configured to control rectilinear movement of the spindle within the lock body, wherein the one or more clutches and the reset clutch are configured for rotational movement about the spindle;
- wherein the combination controlled mechanism further comprises a plurality of dials mounted in the lock body, wherein the plurality of dials comprise one dial for each clutch of the one or more clutches and the reset clutch, and wherein each dial of the plurality of dials are configured to control the rotational movement of the corresponding clutch or reset clutch;
- wherein the bolt-cam comprises a locking surface configured to engage with the flexible-end neck of the cable during the locked mode;
- and
- wherein the bolt-cam further comprises a spring receiving arm configured to receive a bolt-cam spring, wherein the bolt-cam spring is configured to urge the bolt-cam to the lock state such that the locking surface is urged into engagement with the flexile-end neck of the cable, wherein the bolt-cam spring is further configured to receive a spring-receiving pin of a snap plate, and wherein the bolt-cam spring is further configured to urge a tail of the snap plate toward an indicator such that when the key controlled mechanism controls the bolt-cam from the lock state to the unlock state the tail of the snap plate will engage into a neck surface of the indicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.