Combination padlock construction with positive visual indicator

A combination lock constructed for ease of use, while also substantially eliminating the ability of unauthorized persons from opening the lock without knowledge of the combination, said combination lock comprising:

• A. a housing incorporating
• a. an elongated bore longitudinally extending through the housing and comprising
• 1. a first portal formed on one end of the bore, and,
• 2. a second portal formed on the opposed end of the bore,
• b. a plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing, each of said receiving zones extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongated bore,
• c. an elongated release channel formed in the bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination lock;
• B. a shackle movable between a first locked position, a second unlocked position, and a third combination set position, said shackle comprising a generally J-shape, incorporating
• a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with the housing, and
• b. a long leg
• 1. cooperatively mounted in the elongated bore of the housing extending through the first portal thereof for axial movement and pivoting movement relative to the first portal and the elongated bore, and
• 2. comprising a terminating end portion positioned adjacent the second portal of the elongated bore when the shackle is in its first locked position and extending outwardly from the second portal when the shackle is in its combination set position;
• C. a plurality of tumbler sleeves, each of said tumbler sleeves
• a. rotationally mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the central axis thereof, and
• b. incorporating a radially extending fin formed on the outside surface thereof and constructed for cooperative association with the elongated release channel for preventing axial movement of the long leg of the shackle as well as enabling axial movement thereof when each of said radial fins are positioned in the elongated release channel;
• and
• D. a plurality of dials each of said dials
• a. mounted in a dial receiving zone of the housing,
• b. peripherally surrounding a tumbler sleeve for cooperating therewith, and
• c. comprising an inside surface formed by a tumbler locking surface and a tumbler release surface;
• whereby a combination lock construction is attained which is quickly and easily assembled with a minimum number of components and provides a highly effective combination lock which provides a positive indicator to the user whenever the shackle is in its combination set position.