US 4,055,972 A · Combination-controlled and key-operated security padlock

Abstract

Combination-controlled and key-operated padlock constructed to be partially assembled and stocked. When the lock is to be shipped, a desired key barrel and cylinder subassembly may be selected and assembled to the padlock without any alteration to the padlock or its casing. A two-piece inner back plate is provided, a larger part of which covers the combination tumblers and retains the tumbler post in position and forms a mounting for a pivot shaft for the rocker for the tumbler post. The smaller part of the back plate forms a mounting for a key cylinder subassembly including a key barrel within the key cylinder, a transmission plate movably mounted in the key cylinder and connected with the key barrel to be pivoted about the axis of the key barrel upon turning of the key. The smaller back plate is secured to a lug extending axially of a fin extending radially of the key cylinder so the partial back plate, key cylinder and transmission plate may be assembled to the lock in a simplified operation. Both pieces of the back plate are then held in place by an outer back plate properly registered. The casing for the padlock is rolled about the outer back plate and holds the back plate in position. The rocker for the latch bolt is biased by a torsion spring to pivot the rocker to bring the latch bolt into position to engage a latch bolt receiving notch in the short leg of the shackle as soon as the short leg of the shackle is removed from the casing.

Claims11

Dependent claims

In a permutation and key-operated padlock,

an outer casing having an outer wall having a pair of parallel spaced openings therein,
a U-shaped shackle slidably carried in said openings and having a shorter leg having a latch bolt receiving notch therein,
a rocker assembly mounted within said casing between the legs of said shackle,
a pivot pin forming a pivotal mounting for said rocker assembly,
a latch bolt slidably carried in said rocker assembly,
a spring seated in said rocker assembly and biasing said latch bolt to engage said latch bolt receiving notch,
permutation-controlled release means for said latch bolt to accommodate release of said latch bolt from said shackle upon outward pulling movement on said shackle,
spring means biasing said rocker to position said latch bolt into a latching position upon release of said shackle and key-operated means engageable with said latch bolt to release said latch bolt from said shackle independently of said permutation-controlled release means,
a two-part inner back plate closing said casing, one part forming a mounting for one end of said pivot shaft for said rocker and the other part forming a mounting for said key cylinder and transmission plate, and bodily mounting said key cylinder and transmission plate in said casing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination-controlled and key-operated security padlock

Life of this patent

Combination-controlled and key-operated security padlock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11