The present invention is directed to a lock and more particularly to a lock that has a movable shroud for protection of a shackle.
Padlocks, combination locks, and other types of conventional locks are known in the art for use in a variety of applications. Locks may be used by an owner to secure many different objects against theft or accidental misplacement. Many locks, such as for example, padlocks and cable locks, often include a lock body and a shackle. The shackle may be placed through a set of apertures, around a hasp, a locking point or otherwise attached to an object to be secured.
A shackle is one lock component that may be susceptible to compromise, either through weather, misuse, or damage. Consequently, certain locks have been provided with a shroud or protective covering over a portion of the shackle. Shrouds of this type are typically molded into the body of the lock and thus form one continuous integral piece. In application, the shroud protects the shackle from being cut, damaged or otherwise compromised.
The lock of the present invention incorporates a movable shroud. As such, the lock can be selectively changed from a standard lock to a shrouded lock. In the shrouded position, at least a portion of the shackle extending beyond the lock body is covered by a protective covering. The flexibility of the shroud position allows for a operator to vary the position of the shroud dependent on the application condition of the lock. The shroud also advantageously locks when in the extended position when the shackle is locked. The shroud may also be moved between positions without unlocking the shackle.
In several illustrated embodiments of the present invention, a lock including a movable shroud is disclosed. The lock can be selectively changed from a standard lock to a shrouded lock. The lock may be of any known style, such as for example, a padlock, a dial combination lock, a door lock or a cable lock, and include a locking mechanism of any known type, such as for example, a multiple pin cylinder or a wafer cylinder lock.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
a-4d are perspective views of a lock constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing a lock having a lock body with ridges on an outer surface thereof;
a-5c are perspective views of a lock constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, showing a lock having a split shroud with multiple portions;
a-6c are perspective views of a lock constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, showing a lock having a lock body with detent receiving openings on an outer surface thereof;
The Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.
A lock including a movable shroud is disclosed. The shroud can generally be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the lock functions as a standard lock and in the extended position the shroud covers at least a portion of the shackle extending beyond the lock body. The method or structure that is used to move the shackle can take the shape or configuration of a variety of embodiments. The disclosure herein includes examples of the present invention and this application is not meant to restrict the invention to any specific structure.
In general, movement and location of the shroud is controlled by relative movement between the shroud and the lock body. One or more detents, such as for example, ball bearings, roller bearings, pins, or levers, can be used to secure the shroud in either the upward position or the downward position. The detents are received in holes, openings, slots, depressions or the like in the complementary piece. For example, if the detents are located in the body of the lock, then the openings are located along the inner side walls of the shroud. It should be appreciated that the detents should secure the shroud in both positions. For example, in an embodiment a single detent located near the top of the lock body is used and openings for receiving the detent are placed at the top and at the bottom of the inner side walls of the shroud. As such, the detent sits within the lower opening when the shroud is in the extended position, and sits within the upper opening when the shroud is in the retracted position. It should be appreciated that multiple detents can be used and that the detents can be positioned in a number of different positions, so long as the detents secure the shroud in at least the extended position.
The shroud is used to protect the shackle in the locked position. Consequently, the detents need to lock the shroud in the extended position when the shackle is secured within the lock body. As such, when the shroud is in the extended position and the shackle is secured within the lock body, the detent is prevented from being withdrawn from the opening in the shroud. Since the detent cannot be withdrawn, the shroud cannot be moved from the extended position to the retracted position. For example, in an embodiment the shackle holds the detent in the opening in the shroud. In such embodiment the insertion of the shackle into the lock body provides the means for securing the detent in the opening. Only upon removal of the shackle from the lock body will the detent be allowed to be moved from the opening in the shroud. In other embodiments, the detents can be secured within the openings in the shroud by a member of the locking mechanism, or a piece that is connected to the locking mechanism. In such embodiments, the movement of the lock mechanism, such as the turning of the lock cylinder after insertion of a proper key, allows for the movement of the detents from the openings in the shroud.
Relative direction and length of motion between the shroud and the lock body can be accomplished in numerous ways. One such way is a slot on the lock body and a corresponding pin or ridge in the shroud. Alternatively, the slot can be in the shroud and the pin or ridge can be in the lock body. The corresponding slot and ridges can be along the sides of the lock body and shroud, or they can be located on the front and back surfaces of lock body and shroud, or a combination thereof. The pin or ridge is received within the slot and provides a guide for the movement of the shroud. Further, the ends of the slot act as stops to limit the movement of the shroud.
Referring now to the drawings,
As discussed, the lock 10 includes a lock body 12 and as shown is in the general form of a padlock. It should be apparent that other lock styles and lock body shapes can be used in the practice of the present invention. The lock body 12 may be constructed of steel, hard plastic, or any other suitably durable material. A locking mechanism, such as for example, a locking mechanism including a lock cylinder 60 as best shown in
The lock body 12 is formed to allow selective and relative motion between the lock body 12 and the shroud 16. One exemplary lock body is shown in
Referring now to
The lock 10 includes a shackle 12 that is partially covered or protected by the shroud 16 in an extended position. As illustrated in
As mentioned, the lock 10 includes a shroud 16 attached to the lock body and selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shroud 16 may be constructed of steel, hard plastic, or any other suitably durable material. It should be apparent to others with ordinary skill in the art that a shroud may be any covering, lining, shield or object that provides some protection to the shackle.
Referring to
Other shroud styles can be constructed in the practice of this invention.
Referring now to
The shackle 14 is shown in a locked position in
Still referring to
To move the shroud 16 from the retracted position in
When the shackle reaches a fully extended position, the shroud bearings 52a, 52b are no longer held against the shroud cavities surfaces 53a, 53b. Specifically, shroud bearing 52a is free to move inward and contact cavity surface 74 on the outer surface of the shackle first leg 30. Further, shroud bearing 52b is not bound on the inward side. Consequently, an operator may move the shroud 16 in
The shackle 12 and shroud 14 can be locked in place by operator manipulation of the shackle 14. An operator applies a force on the shackle in a direction opposite A1 to close the shackle. The spring 70 is biased to rotate the cylinder extension assembly 54 back to its original position. When the shackle 14 moves sufficiently into the lock body, the shackle bearings 50a, 50b engage the shackle inner cavities 51a, 51b as the bearings are rotated back to their original position. Effectively, the shackle 14 is locked in place and the shroud is locked in the extended position by bearings 52a and 52b being forced into cavities 53c and 53d, respectively.
The shroud 16 can be moved from the extended position to the retracted position by essentially reversing the above described steps. To move the shroud 16 from the extracted position in
An operator may move the shroud 16 in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shackle can be moved between the retracted and extended positions without unlocking the shackle. In a lock of this style, the cylinder extension assembly 54 includes four cavities for receiving bearings. Two opposing cavities engage detents in the shroud and two other opposing cavities engage detents in the shackle. An operator can rotate the locking mechanism to disengage the shroud without disengaging the shackle. After the shroud is pulled to the extended position and the locking mechanism rotates back to its biased position, a rotation spring biases the cylinder extension assembly 54 to a position in which the shroud is locked.
Referring now to
While several embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to the precise constructions disclosed. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention may occur to those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates. It is the intention to cover all such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the scope or spirit of the claims filed herewith.
This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/629,062, entitled “Lock with Movable Shroud,” filed Nov. 18, 2004, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060162402 A1 | Jul 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60629062 | Nov 2004 | US |