Padlock with fully integrated dual locking systems

A padlock constructed for providing two separate and independent locking means in a single, integrated construction, said padlock comprising:

• A. a housing incorporating a first locking section constructed for being controlled by a combination and a second locking section constructed for being controlled by a key;
• B. a shackle mounted in the housing and constructed for being movable between a first housing engaged and locked position and a second housing disengaged and open position and comprising two cooperating leg members interconnected by an arcuately curved intermediate section, with one of said leg members incorporating a notched zone;
• C. a control assembly
• a. incorporating a shackle latching member mounted in the housing for movement between locking and holding engagement with the shackle when in a first position and disengagement and release of the shackle when in a second position,
• b. responsive to an activation force for moving the shackle latching member between its two positions, said activation force being provided by use of either the key controlled locking section or the combination controlled locking section;
• and
• c. said shackle latching member comprising a locking finger constructed for engaging with the notched zone of the leg member and being cooperatingly associated with a spring member positioned for normally biasing the locking finger of the latching member into engagement with the notched zone of the shackle leg for normally maintaining the shackle in its housing engaged and locked position;
• and
• D. said first combination controlled locking section comprising
• a. a plurality of dial members mounted to the housing for rotational movement relative thereto, with each of said dial members comprising an upstanding boss or clutch ring having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the dial member with each boss/clutch ring incorporating a receiving slot formed therein with said slot extending inwardly from the outer surface of the boss/clutch ring, with each of said slots being positioned for cooperating alignment with slot engaging members of a movable plate member, and
• b. the movable plate member mounted in the housing in cooperating relationship with the dial members and the shackle latching member, said movable plate member being movable between a first dial disengaged position and a second dial engaged position and incorporating
• 1. a plurality of slot engaging members formed thereon and positioned in aligned relationship with the receiving slots of the dial members for movement between a slot disengaged position when in its first position and a slot engaged position when in its second position, and
• 2. an engagement member extending from the movable plate and positioned in movement controlling relationship with the shackle latching member for enabling the shackle latching member to remain engaged with the notched zone of the shackle whenever said movable plate member is in its first position and enabling the shackle latching member to become disengaged from the notched zone of the shackle when the movable plate member is in its second position, thereby causing the locking finger of the shackle latching member to be disengaged from the notched zone of the shackle for enabling the shackle to move into its open and disengaged position;
• whereby both separate and independent locking sections are capable of releasing the shackle by disengaging the same latching member.