Padlock with fully integrated dual locking system with indicator/signal assembly

A padlock constructed for providing two separate and independent locking means in a single, integrated construction, with a first locking assembly being controlled by a combination and a second locking assembly being key controlled, said padlock comprising:

• A. a housing or cover incorporating
• a. a first elongated bore, and a second elongated bore,
• b. plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing/cover in association with the first elongated bore, and
• c. an elongated release channel formed in the first elongated bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination controlled lock assembly;
• B. said shackle comprising a generally j-shape, incorporating
• a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with a holding collar mounted in the housing/cover, and
• b. a long leg cooperatively mounted in the first elongated bore of the housing/cover for axial movement and pivoting movement relative thereto;
• C. a key controlled lock assembly mounted in the second elongated bore of the housing/cover and constructed for being responsive to a designated key member for enabling movement between a first position, wherein the shackle is in locked engagement, and a second position, wherein the shackle is unlocked and movable, said lock assembly comprising:
• a. a cylinder assembly
• 1. mounted in the second elongated bore for controlled rotational movement therein, and
• 2. incorporating a key receiving slot cooperatively associated with a plurality of tumblers for preventing the rotational movement of said cylinder whenever the designated key member is not present and enabling rotational movement of the cylinder in response to the presence of the designated key member, and
• b. a shackle engaging collar cooperatively associated with the terminating end of the short leg of the shackle and responsive to the rotational movement of the cylinder for preventing movement of the shackle when in a first position and enabling movement of the shackle when the cylinder assembly is in a second position;
• D. a signal/indicator system
• a. mounted in the housing/cover in cooperating relationship with the key controlled section and responsive to the use of the key controlled section for activation thereof,
• b. comprising an alert-providing indicator member
• 1. at least partially mounted in the housing/cover in spaced relationship to the cylinder and positioned adjacent to the cylinder for cooperating therewith,
• 2. incorporating a radially extending arm constructed for controlled pivoting movement of the indicator member in response to the arcuate pivoting movement of the cylinder causing the indicator member to move between a first non-alert position, and a second alert-providing position wherein a portion of said indicator member extends outwardly from the housing/cover for providing positive notice that the key controlled locking section was used;
• 3. comprising an elongated rod mounted in the housing/cover for pivotal movement therein, said rod being incapable of axial movement and comprising a portion extending outwardly from the housing/cover a fixed axial length, said axially extending portion forming the alert-providing indicator arcuately movable between a first non-alert providing position and a second alert-providing position;
• and
• 4. comprising a locking plate
• i. mounted to the rod and pivotally movable in the housing/cover in response to the arcuate pivoting movement of said radially extending arm, and
• ii. cooperating with an axially movable, spring biased shaft mounted in an elongated cavity formed in said housing/cover, the first end of said shaft being in contact with the locking plate in and juxtaposed relationship with a shaft receiving zone formed in the locking plate, whereby movement of the indicator member from its first position to its second position causes the shaft receiving zone to be axially aligned with the spring biased shaft, for enabling the shaft to move into locked engagement with the receiving zone, thereby assuring that the indicator member is secured in its second, alert-providing position when activated.

A padlock constructed for providing two separate and independent locking means in a single, integrated construction, with a first locking assembly being controlled by a combination and a second locking assembly being key controlled, said padlock comprising:

• A. a housing/cover
• a. incorporating a combination controlled locking section and a key controlled locking section said key controlled locking section being further defined as comprising at least one cylinder mounted therein for arcuate pivoting movement relative to the housing/cover in response to the receipt and use of an activating key, with the arcuate pivoting movement of said cylinder being constructed for releasing a shackle from locked engagement with the housing/cover,
• B. said shackle cooperatively associated with the housing/cover and movable between a first lockingly engaged position and a second unlocked, released position, wherein said second position is attainable using either the combination controlled section or the key controlled section;
• C. a signal/indicator assembly
• a. mounted in the housing/cover in cooperating relationship with the key controlled section and responsive to the use of the key controlled section for being movable from a first non-alert position to a second alert-providing position in response to the use of the key controlled locking section for opening the padlock, and
• b. comprising an elongated rod or shaft
• 1. extending outwardly from the housing/cover a fixed axial distance for defining an outwardly extending portion and forming an alert providing indicator, and
• 2. constructed for arcuate pivoting movement about its central axis in response to the use of the key controlled section, and movable between a first non-alert providing position and a second alert-providing position;
• 3. comprising a radially extending arm mounted for cooperative engagement with said rod/shaft, with said arm being constructed for controlled movement with the arcuate pivoting movement of said cylinder, thereby causing said rod/shaft to arcuately pivot simultaneously therewith, and
• c. comprising a locking plate mounted to the rod/shaft and pivotally movable in the housing/cover in response to the arcuate pivoting movement of said radially extending arm;
• and
• D. a reset key cooperatively associated with the padlock for being inserted into the housing/cover after movement of the signal/indicator assembly into its second position and arcuately pivoting therein for causing the signal/indicator assembly to be returned to its first position wherein the housing/cover further comprising a reset key receiving aperture formed therein and constructed for receiving the reset key and positioning the reset key to engage the indicator member for enabling the return of said indicator to said first position;
• and wherein the signal/indicator assembly further comprises a locking means for maintaining the indicator member in its second alert-providing position, said locking means being responsive to the use of the reset key for enabling the indicator member to be replaced in its first non-alert position.