Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to locks. More particularly, the invention relates to a padlock in which the lock cylinder may be changed.
The present invention provides an improvement over standard padlocks by enabling an end user to change the padlock lock cylinder easily. Many current padlocks use lock cylinders that are incorporated into the padlock and cannot be changed by the end user. Therefore, a lock is sold at a particular security level, and this security level cannot be changed, for example, without limitation, “upgraded” to a higher level of security. The end user, by being able to change the lock cylinder, is able to change the security level of the padlock by using a higher security lock cylinder. Also, with current padlocks in which the lock cylinder is incorporated into the padlock if a key is lost or stolen, the end user must replace the padlock, which can be expensive, or take the padlock to the manufacturer or a locksmith to rekey the padlock, which is inconvenient and also possibly expensive.
Currently there are padlocks with changeable lock cylinders available; however, these changeable lock cylinders are not standard and fit only into the particular padlock for which they are designed. Other prior art locks use inserts, sleeves or other devices that must change as the lock cylinder changes. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a padlock that enables any manufacturer's standard size ⅞ inch cam lock cylinder to be used with the lock. The challenge with this is that not all standard cam lock cylinders have the same length. It is therefore another objective of the present invention to provide a padlock that can adjust for the differences in length of standard cam lock cylinders.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for providing a padlock body with a changeable lock cylinder that uses standard cam lock cylinders and can accommodate cam lock cylinders of different lengths.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a padlock for adjusting to a length of a lock cylinder is presented.
In one embodiment a padlock for adjusting to a length of a lock cylinder is presented. The padlock includes a padlock housing, a shackle having an unlocked position and a locked position within the padlock housing and means for accepting the lock cylinder within a depth of the padlock housing. The padlock further includes means for adjusting for a difference between the depth and the length, and for rotatable engagement of the shackle to enable the shackle to move between the locked position and the unlocked position and means for retaining the adjusting means and the lock cylinder within the depth. Another embodiment further includes means for securing the lock cylinder within the depth. Yet another embodiment further includes means for inhibiting removal of the securing means. Still another embodiment further includes means for engaging the retaining means to prevent the retaining means from being removed. Another embodiment further includes means for further adjusting for the difference between the depth and the length.
In another embodiment a padlock for adjusting to a length of a lock cylinder is presented. The padlock includes a padlock housing and a shackle having an unlocked position and a locked position within the padlock housing. A central bore is disposed in a bottom of the padlock housing having a depth longer than the length of the lock cylinder for accepting the lock cylinder within the padlock housing. An adaptable cam is adjustably joinable to a distal end of the lock cylinder for adjusting for a difference between the depth and the length, and for rotatable engagement of the shackle to enable the shackle to move between the locked position and the unlocked position. A lock cap is joinable to an open end of the central bore for retaining the adaptable cam and the lock cylinder within the central bore. Another embodiment further includes a first set screw entering the central bore from a first side of the padlock housing and an opposing second set screw entering the central bore from a second side of the padlock housing for securing the lock cylinder within the central bore. Yet another embodiment further includes a roller pin for inhibiting rotation of the first set screw. Still another embodiment further includes a third set screw entering from a top of the padlock housing for retaining the roller pin within the padlock housing. In another embodiment the shackle in the locked position inhibits rotation of the second set screw. Yet another embodiment further includes a fourth set screw entering the central bore from the first side for engaging the lock cap to prevent the lock cap from being removed, wherein rotation of the fourth set screw is inhibited by the roller pin. Still another embodiment further includes a lock spacer insertable within the central bore for further adjusting for the difference between the depth and the length. In another embodiment the shackle further includes at least one groove for engagement with the adaptable cam. Yet another embodiment further includes least one locking ball for engagement with the shackle and the adaptable cam includes at least one groove for engagement with the locking ball. Still another embodiment further includes a plurality of caps for covering distal ends of set screws facing away from the central bore.
In another embodiment a padlock for adjusting to a length of a lock cylinder is presented. The padlock includes a padlock housing including a central bore disposed in a bottom having a depth longer than the length of the lock cylinder for accepting the lock cylinder, and at least two bores in a top extending about opposing sides of the central bore. A generally u-shaped shackle is disposable within the at least two bores and has an unlocked position and a locked position within the padlock housing. An adaptable cam is adjustably joinable to a tenon on a distal end of the lock cylinder for adjusting for a difference between the depth and the length, and for rotatable engagement of the shackle to enable the shackle to move between the locked position and the unlocked position. A first set screw enters the central bore from a first side of the padlock housing. A second set screw, opposing the first set screw, enters the central bore from a second side of the padlock housing, wherein the first set screw and the second set screw are operable for securing the lock cylinder within the central bore, and wherein the shackle in the locked position inhibits rotation of the second set screw. A roller pin is disposable adjacent to the first set screw and parallel to the central bore for inhibiting rotation of the first set screw. A third set screw enters from a one of the at least two bore holes for retaining the roller pin within the padlock housing. A lock cap is joinable to an open end of the central bore for retaining the adaptable cam and the lock cylinder within the central bore. A fourth set screw enters the central bore from the first side for engaging the lock cap to prevent the lock cap from being removed, wherein rotation of the fourth set screw is inhibited by the roller pin. Another embodiment further includes a lock spacer insertable within the central bore for further adjusting for the difference between the depth and the length. In yet another embodiment the shackle further includes at least one groove for engagement with the adaptable cam. Still another embodiment further includes at least one locking ball for engagement with the shackle and the adaptable cam includes at least one groove for engagement with the locking ball. Another embodiment further includes a plurality of caps for covering distal ends of set screws facing away from the central bore.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a padlock that enables the end user to change the padlock lock cylinder easily. This is accomplished in preferred embodiments by providing a padlock body with an adaptable cam that is independent from the lock cylinder and enables any ⅞ inch, standard cam lock cylinder to be used in the lock. In preferred embodiments, the adaptable cam can be attached to any cam lock cylinder despite the differences in standard cam lock sizes commercially on the market or cam locks that may come out in the future. Using preferred embodiments, a user has the ability to change the cam lock cylinder without any skilled knowledge or ability. Preferred embodiments provide a padlock body that is strong and secure even without a specific lock core. Preferred embodiments also enable the security of the padlock to change as the lock cylinder changes.
In the present embodiment, the padlock is locked with a double ball locking mechanism; however, different locking mechanisms may be used in alternate embodiments including, but not limited to, rotating disks on the adaptable cam that fit into notches in the shackle, lever tumblers, ratchet notches, single ball locking, pin locking, etc. The double ball locking in the present embodiment is accomplished with adaptable cam 50 and locking balls 60. Adaptable cam 50 is installed on cam lock cylinder 70 and comprises a groove 55 cut into each side. Locking balls 60 rotate into and out of grooves 55 as cam lock cylinder 70 is unlocked or locked. Referring to
When installed in the present embodiment, cam lock cylinder 70 is held in place with securing means comprising setscrews 80 and 130 and a retaining means comprising lock cap 110. Lock cap 110 is a threaded cap that is screwed into padlock body 20 and adjusted with a lock spacer 120 to its proper position. Referring to
In the present embodiment, the components of the lock are all preferably made of a strong metal or alloy such as, but not limited to, steel, iron, brass, etc. However, in alternate embodiments, some components such as, but not limited to, the lock spacer may be made of various other types of materials such as, but not limited to, plastic or rubber. Also, the padlock body illustrated in the present embodiment is generally square in shape. However, the lock bodies in alternate embodiments may be various different shapes such as, but not limited to, circles, rectangles, decorative shapes, etc. Furthermore, alternate embodiments may be implemented that use locks other than standard cam locks as the lock cylinders such as, but not limited to, other types of cylinder locks, vending locks, etc.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing a padlock with interchangeable lock cylinders according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the padlock body may vary depending upon the particular type of lock cylinder used. The lock cylinders described in the foregoing were directed to implementations using standard ⅞ inch cam locks; however, similar techniques are to use cam locks of various different standard sizes such as, but not limited to, ⅜ inch, ⅝ inch, 1 and ⅛ inch, etc. Implementations of the present invention that use standard cam locks of different sizes are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claim elements and steps herein have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. As such, the numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. What is claimed is: