Padlock clasp

Abstract

A clasp having a rigid backplate with one side projecting outwardly to enclose the latching side of a locking padlock. The other side of the backplate is similarily outwardly turned, and a bolt is slidably and pivotally positioned in aligned holes in the outwardly turned sides. A front plate is welded to the bolt and a bale support member is welded orthogonally to the inside face of the front plate. A matching bale support member is welded to the back plate and when the clasp is closed, the two bale support members are aligned. The bale of the padlock is received in holes in the bale support members. In the locked position, the front plate and the proximate side of the back plate prevents the application of a downward blow on the side of the padlock that includes the latch mechanism. The clearance between the front plate and the proximate side is insufficient for the insertion of a punch or other object for striking a blow against the locking side of the padlock. Also the clearance between the front plate and the distal side is insufficient to permit access of a bolt cutter or snips to the padlock bale. The front plate is welded to the bolt, and the bale support members are welded to the front plate and back plate respectively, such that the strong side of each weld provides the only possible access for a punch or other similar blow striking instruments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.