Horizontal shackle for lock system and method
OwnerJay S. Dermaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A padlock having a horizontal shackle is disclosed. The padlock may include a base comprising a latching mechanism, a first shackle aperture, and a second shackle aperture. The padlock may also include a shackle. The shackle may comprise a first post extending from within the first shackle aperture, a second post extending from within the second shackle aperture, and a horizontal cross member extending in a line from the first post to the second post.
Claims12
A padlock defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions extending substantially orthogonally with respect to one another, the padlock comprising:
- a base comprising a latching mechanism, a first aperture extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second aperture extending in the longitudinal direction;
- and
- a shackle selectively engaging the base and comprising
- a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first anchor and a first post, the first anchor extending within the first aperture, the first post connecting to the first anchor and extending away therefrom,
- a second member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a second anchor and a second post, the second anchor extending within the second aperture, the second post connecting to the second anchor and extending away therefrom, the second post having an extension,
- the second member comprising a lateral aperture extending in the lateral direction therewithin, and
- a third member extending in the lateral direction from a first end to a second end, the first end engaging the first post, the second end removably extending into the lateral aperture of the second post, a circumferential groove being formed proximal to the second end and a lateral groove being formed from the circumferential groove to the second end, the extension of the second post being configured to extend into the lateral groove.
A method of operating a padlock defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions extending substantially orthogonally with respect to one another, the method comprising:
- obtaining a padlock comprising
- a base comprising a latching mechanism, a first aperture extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second aperture extending in the longitudinal, and
- a shackle comprising a first member extending from within the first aperture, a second member extending from within the second aperture, and a third member extending in the lateral direction from a first end engaging the first member to a second end engaging the second member, the third member comprising a circumferential groove extending circumferentially thereabout at a location proximate the second end and a lateral groove extending in the lateral direction from the circumferential groove to the second end;
- releasing the latching mechanism;
- removing, after the releasing, the second member from the second aperture;
- separating, after the removing, the second member from the third member;
- passing, after the separating, the third member through at least one item;
- engaging, after the passing, the second member with the third member;
- and
- inserting, after the engaging, the second member into the second aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.