Dual Custody Privacy Padlock
AssigneeStanton Concepts Inc.
InventorsJohn Loughlin, Robert Loughlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual function lock having a body, a shackle and a frangible element extending from the body is disclosed. The dual function lock also includes a first locking mechanism within the body wherein when the first locking mechanism is locked, the shackle is in a first position where the toe of the shackle is located within the frangible element so that the shackle cannot be rotated and wherein when the first locking mechanism is unlocked, the shackle can be lifted from the first position so that the toe of the shackle is not within the frangible element so that the shackle can be rotated. Methods of using the lock and a refillable insert of frangible elements are also disclosed.
Claims20
A dual function lock, comprising:
- a body;
- a shackle having a heel extending from the body and a toe;
- a frangible element extending from the body, a portion of the frangible element nearer to the body having a smaller perimeter than a remainder of the frangible element outside the body;
- a first locking mechanism within the body;
- wherein when the first locking mechanism is locked, the shackle is in a first position where the toe of the shackle is located within the frangible element, and the shackle cannot be rotated or lifted;
- and
- wherein when the first locking mechanism is unlocked, the shackle can be lifted from the first position so that the toe of the shackle is not within the frangible element, and can be subsequently rotated.
A method of operating a dual function lock, comprising:
- locking a first locking mechanism on the dual function lock so that a shackle extending from the body of the lock cannot be moved away from the body and such that a toe of the shackle is retained in place by a retaining element extending from the body of the lock, wherein the retaining element has a portion nearer to the body that has a smaller perimeter than a remainder of the retaining element outside the body;
- and
- detaching the retaining element so that the shackle can be rotated.
A refill insert for a frangible dual function lock, comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical retaining structures linearly attached to each other to form a column of cylindrical structures, each of the plurality of cylindrical structures being at least partially walled;
- a groove on an outer wall of at least some of the plurality of cylindrical structures, wherein the groove spirals down the column of cylindrical structures.
A dual function lock, comprising:
- a body;
- a shackle having a heel extending from the body and a toe;
- a plurality of frangible elements linearly connected to each other, one of the plurality of frangible elements extending from the body while the remaining frangible elements are located inside the body, a line being marked at an interface between connected frangible elements;
- a first locking mechanism within the body;
- wherein when the first locking mechanism is locked, the shackle is in a first position where the toe of the shackle is located within the frangible element so that the shackle cannot be rotated;
- and
- wherein when the first locking mechanism is unlocked, the shackle can be lifted from the first position so that the toe of the shackle is not within the frangible element so that the shackle can be rotated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.