Padlock
OwnerL. Hanson Luquireinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Padlocks adapted for one-handed operation are disclosed. Typically having a laterally asymmetric shackle, the lock includes an arm connected thereto so as to pivot when the locking mechanism is disengaged. A spring or other component facilitates latching of the device by biasing the arm toward an exposed end of the shackle.
Claims11
A padlock for an object, which padlock when in a closed position bounds an interior space in to which a portion of the object extends in use, comprising:
- a. a shackle having spaced first and second ends, the second end defining a recess;
- b. an arm extending approximately the distance between the first and second ends and connected to the second end, the arm capable of being pivoted into the interior space when the padlock is in an open position and defining a hollow lower section;
- c. a sleeve positioned about at least part of the arm, the location of the sleeve being fixed when the padlock is locked in the closed position and not fixed when the padlock is in the open position;
- d. a blade fitted into the recess;
- and
- e. a spring fitted about a portion of the blade, the blade and spring being positioned within the lower section of the arm.
A padlock for an object, which padlock when in a closed position bounds an interior space into which at least a portion of the object extends in use, comprising:
- a. a shackle having spaced first and second ends and an exterior surface defining (i) a first curved section having a first radius of curvature, (ii) a second curved section having a radius of curvature differing from the first radius of curvature, and (iii) a generally straight section connecting the first and second curved sections;
- b. an arm connected to the second end and configured so as to abut the first end when the padlock is in the closed position and to be able to be pivoted into the interior space;
- c. means for biasing the arm toward the first end;
- and
- d. a sleeve having at least one manually-unlockable tumbler mounted thereon, said sleeve and tumbler being slidable along said arm to allow the arm to be pivoted into the interior space.
A padlock for an object, which padlock when in a closed position bounds an interior space into which at least a portion of the object extends in use, comprising:
- a. a shackle having spaced first and second ends and an exterior surface defining (i) a first curved section having a first radius of curvature, (ii) a second curved section having a radius of curvature less than the first radius of curvature, and (iii) a generally straight section connecting the first and second curved sections;
- b. an arm connected to the second end proximate the second curved section and configured so as to abut the first end when the padlock is in the closed position and to be able to be pivoted into the interior space;
- c. means for biasing the arm toward the first end;
- and
- d. a manually-manipulatable combination locking mechanism connected at least indirectly to the arm in a manner so as to fix the position of the arm in abutment with the first end when the padlock is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.