This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 092107643, filed on Apr. 3, 2003.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lock apparatus, more particularly to a weather-resistant lock apparatus that is suitable for use in dusty and wet environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
In current padlock structures, a padlock body includes a padlock housing and a U-shaped shackle, and a lock core device is mounted in the padlock housing. The lock core device is operable to engage and disengage the shackle so as to enable locking and unlocking operations in a conventional manner. However, in a conventional padlock, as clearances or gaps are present between the padlock housing and the shackle after assembly, and as the lock core device is provided with a keyhole for receiving a key, if the padlock is used outdoors and is exposed to influences of natural forces, such as rain and wind, the service life of the padlock will be shortened. For instance, if the padlock is used in a windy and sandy environment, tiny grains of sand and grit may gain entry into the interior of the lock core device through the keyhole and cause jamming of the internal components of the lock core device, thereby rendering the padlock inoperable. Moreover, if the padlock is used in a wet and humid environment, moisture may seep into the interior of the padlock housing through available clearances and gaps so that, after a period of time, components within the padlock housing will become rusty. Furthermore, if the padlock is used in cold climates, any moisture that gets into the interior of the padlock may lead to freezing of the internal components, thereby rendering the padlock inoperable. Although the padlock may be provided with a protective shroud to help maintain the operability of the padlock in harsh and extreme environments, in order to meet government regulations, such as those set by the U.S. Department of Defense, padlocks should not have an external protective shroud and should be resistant to dirt, moisture, corrosion, freezing, etc., by virtue of their inherent construction. Therefore, as to how padlocks can be constructed to endure extreme environments without having a protective shroud is the object of endeavor of manufacturers in the industry.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a weather-resistant lock apparatus suitable for use in dusty and wet environments.
According to the present invention, a weather-resistant lock apparatus comprises a lock core device that includes a lock shell and a lock core unit. The lock core unit includes an inner shell received in and rotatable relative to the lock shell, a plurality of locking plates received in and rotatable relative to the inner shell and cooperating to form a keyhole of the lock core unit, a locking unit operably associated with the locking plates for locking the inner shell against rotation relative to the lock shell in a locking state of the locking plates, and for unlocking the inner shell for rotation relative to the lock shell in an unlocking state of the locking plates, a latch actuator coupled to the inner shell, and a plurality of spacer plates, each of which is disposed between an adjacent pair of the locking plates. The spacer plates are made of a material with a hardness less than that of the locking plates.
Preferably, the lock core unit further includes a drive plate received in and rotatable relative to the inner shell. The drive plate is disposed between the locking plates and the latch actuator, and cooperates with the locking plates to form the keyhole. The drive plate is capable of transmitting a rotary force applied through a correct key that was inserted into the keyhole to the latch actuator.
Preferably, the drive plate is formed with a non-circular drive hole that forms a part of the keyhole. The lock core unit further includes a rotation control member mounted on the latch actuator and registered with the drive hole. The rotation control member extends into and engages the drive plate in the drive hole to prohibit rotation of the drive plate, and is movable to disengage from the drive plate when the correct key is inserted into the keyhole so as to permit rotation of the drive plate with the correct key in order to drive rotation of the latch actuator.
Preferably, the lock apparatus further comprises a padlock body that includes a padlock housing and a shackle member. The padlock housing is formed with a core chamber, and has a bottom portion formed with an opening for access into the core chamber. The lock core device is received in the core chamber. The padlock housing further has a top portion formed with two shackle holes. The shackle member has two insert ends that are inserted into the shackle holes, respectively.
Preferably, the padlock body further includes a latch unit disposed in the padlock housing and coupled to the latch actuator for engaging at least one of the insert ends of the shackle member.
Preferably, the padlock body further includes two seal rings, each of which is retained in a respective one of the shackle holes for establishing airtight contact with a respective one of the insert ends of the shackle member.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to
The lock core device 10 is of the type disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,934,121 and 6,185,966, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As shown in
The lock shell 11 has a substantially rectangular head end 111 and a hollow interior confining a receiving chamber 112. The head end 111 has a square end face 113, and is formed with a key access hole 114 extending through the end face 113 and communicated with the receiving chamber 112. The end face 113 is formed with a beveled periphery 115. An insert groove 116 is formed in a lateral side of the head end 111. A retaining groove 117 is formed in a peripheral surface of the head end 111 for receiving a seal member 118 fittingly therein. In this embodiment, the seal member 118 is shaped as a rectangular loop. Since the seal member 118 and the beveled periphery 115 are configured to conform to the contour or shape of the head end 111, if the head end 111 is circular in shape, the seal member 118 and the beveled periphery 115 will be circular accordingly.
The inner shell 12 is received in the receiving chamber 112, is rotatable relative to the lock shell 11, and has a hollow interior confining an axial hole 121 for receiving, in sequence, the drive plate 13, the locking plates 14, the spacer plates 15, and the sealing member 16. The inner shell 12 has a tubular wall that is formed with a first slot 122 corresponding in position to the locking plates 14 for receiving a first locking unit in the form of a first control rod 123, and a second slot 124 corresponding in position to the drive plate 13 for receiving a second locking unit in the form of a second control rod 125. The first and second control rods 123, 125 are operably and respectively associated with the locking plates 14 and the drive plate 15 so as to be retained between the inner shell 12 and a longitudinal groove 119 formed in an inner surface of the lock shell 11, whereby rotation of the inner shell 12 relative to the lock shell 11 can be prevented. The drive plate 13 has an outer periphery provided with a drive projection 131 and a notch 133, and is further formed with a non-circular drive hole 132 in the center thereof. In this embodiment, the drive hole 132 is in the shape of three-quarters of a circle, and is disposed to receive the actuating tip portion 31 of the key 30. It is noted that only when the actuating tip portion 31 of the key 30 matches the shape of the drive hole 132 will the key 30 be able to drive rotation of the drive plate 13. The drive hole 132 thus forms a part of a keyhole of the lock core device 10, and the drive plate 13 thus serves as a code-setting unit of the lock core device 10. Certainly, the drive hole 132 can be configured to have any other shape. The locking plates 14 are circular plates made of stainless steel. Each of the locking plates 14 has an outer periphery formed with a notch 141 at a predetermined position. Holes formed through the locking plates 14 correspond to the key bit portions 32 of the key 30, and cooperate to form another part of the keyhole of the lock core device 10 such that the locking plates 14 generally serve as another code-setting unit of the lock core device 10. The locking plates 14 and the spacer plates 15 are arranged in a stack within the axial hole 121. Each of the spacer plates 15 is disposed between an adjacent pair of the locking plates 14, and serves to maintain smooth rotation of the locking plates 14. Most importantly, the spacer plates 15 in this invention are made of tetrafluoroethylene polymer, which has a hardness less than that of the locking plates 14 made of stainless steel, and which is capable of trapping granules pressed thereinto. Moreover, as tetrafluoroethylene polymer is known to exhibit lubricating characteristics, it can serve as a substitute for conventional lubricants. It is noted that the conventional lock core device is often stained with dirt during lubrication, thereby dirtying the key 30 and obstructing turning of the key 30. With the use of the tetrafluoroethylene polymer spacer plates 15 in this invention, there is no need for additional lubrication, thus eliminating the aforesaid problem. The sealing member 16 is disposed at a foremost end of the inner shell 12, i.e., adjacent to the key access hole 114, and includes a sealing ring 161 and a protective sleeve 162. The sealing ring 161 is press-fitted within the axial hole 121 in the inner shell 12. The protective sleeve 162 is also made of tetrafluoroethylene polymer, and is press-fitted in the receiving chamber 112 of the lock shell 11. The protective sleeve 162 is formed with an annular skirt 1621, which extends into and which is in sleeved engagement with the sealing ring 161. Accordingly, the sealing member 16 can effectively block entry of dust, sand and water into the interior of the lock core device 10. The protective plate 17 is fitted between the inner shell 12 and the head end 111 of the lock shell 11, and is in contact with the protective sleeve 162. The protective plate 17 is made from a high-strength metal alloy, and is capable of idle rotation within the receiving chamber 112 so as to withstand a drilling action coming from a direction of the key access hole 114, thereby avoiding destruction of the lock core device 10 due to the drilling action.
The latch actuator 18 has a coupling portion 181 and an actuating portion 182. The coupling portion 181 is fitted into the axial hole 121 in a rear end of the inner shell 12. A retaining pin 110 is extended through the inner shell 12 to secure the coupling portion 181 in place. The coupling portion 181 is formed with a cavity 1811 for receiving the rotation control member 19 therein. The sleeve member 191, which is also made of tetrafluoroethylene polymer, is mounted fittingly in the cavity 1811. The sleeve member 191 has a fan-shaped end wall 1911. The drive projection 131 of the drive plate 13 engages the end wall 1911 so as to transmit rotation of the drive plate 13 to the latch actuator 18. The end wall 1911 is formed with a shaped hole 1912 therethrough. Like the drive hole 132 in the drive plate 13, the shaped hole 1912 is also in the shape of three-quarters of a circle.
The rotation control member 19 includes a spring 192 and a control pin 193 that are disposed in the cavity 1811. The control pin 193 is biased by the spring 192 toward the drive plate 13. The control pin 193 has a front end that serves as a stop end 1931, which has a cross section identical to the shape of the drive hole 132 and the shaped hole 1912. The control pin 193 is further formed with an axially extending slot 1932 therealong. The retaining pin 110 further extends through the slot 1932 to limit axial movement of the control pin 193.
In this embodiment, the lock core device 10 is formed as a detachable module that can be mounted in the padlock body 20. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lock core device 10 can be also used in a wide range of other applications, such as in door locks, auxiliary locks, and other lock apparatuses.
Referring to
The padlock housing 21 is substantially oval in cross section, is formed with a core chamber 211, and has a bottom portion formed with an opening 2110 for access into the core chamber 211. The lock core device 10 is received in the core chamber 211. The head end 111 of the lock shell 11 is capable of establishing watertight contact with the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21 through the seal member 118. The end face 113 of the lock shell 11 projects outwardly of the opening 2110 in the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21. The padlock housing 21 further has a top portion formed with left and right shackle holes 212, 213. Two annular grooves 214 are respectively formed in hole-defining walls that respectively define the shackle holes 212, 213 adjacent to open ends of the shackle holes 212, 213. The seal rings 22 are retained in the shackle holes 212, 213 in the respective one of the grooves 214. The interior of the padlock housing 21 is configured with a passage 215 that is disposed at an inner end of the left shackle hole 212 and that extends in a direction transverse to the left shackle hole 212 toward the core chamber 211. The padlock housing 21 is further formed with a threaded hole 216 at an inner end of the right shackle hole 213. The interior of the padlock housing 21 is further configured with a slide way 217 extending transverse to and extending between the left and right shackle holes 212, 213 and disposed above the core chamber 211. A shackle retainer 210 is mounted in the padlock housing 21 adjacent to the left shackle hole 212, and has a section extending into the left shackle hole 212.
The shackle member 23 has a U-shaped configuration, and longer and shorter insert ends 231, 232. In this embodiment, the longer and shorter insert ends 231, 232 are respectively inserted into the shackle holes 212, 213 such that airtight contact is established between each of the longer and shorter insert ends 231, 232 and the padlock housing 21 through the seal rings 22 in the shackle holes 212, 213. Each of the longer and shorter insert ends 231, 232 is formed with a retaining groove 233 in an inner side thereof. The longer insert end 231 is further formed with a straight groove 234 and an annular groove 235. The shackle retainer 210 extends into the straight groove 234 and the annular groove 235 to prevent removal of the shackle member 23 from the padlock housing 21 in an unlocked state of the shackle member 23, as best shown in FIG. 8.
The catch members 24 are disposed in the slide way 217. Each of the catch members 24 has an axial pin 241 for coupling with the actuating portion 182 (see
The securing member 25 is disposed in the padlock housing 21 adjacent to the lock core device 10. The securing member 25 includes a nut 251 and a threaded rod 252. The nut 251 is embedded in the padlock housing 21 for threaded engagement with the threaded rod 252. The threaded rod 252 extends through the nut 251, and is capable of being tightened so as to abut against the lock core device 10 and retain the lock core device 10 in the core chamber 211. The padlock housing 21 is further formed with an aperture 218 that is aligned with the threaded rod 252. The aperture 218 normally receives the plug 26, which serves to close the aperture 218 to prevent entry of foreign objects into the padlock housing 21 through the aperture 218.
The securing block 27 is disposed in the passage 215. One side of the securing block 27, which is adjacent to the left shackle hole 212, is formed with a curved guiding surface 271. The longer insert end 231 of the shackle member 23 abuts against the guiding surface 271 to urge the securing block 27 to displace toward the lock core device 10, thereby tightening the securing block 27 against the lock core device 10 so as to retain the lock core device 10 in the core chamber 211. Another side of the securing block 27, which is adjacent to the core chamber 211, is formed with a protruding portion 272 for engaging the insert groove 116 in the lock shell 11 of the lock core body 10, as best shown in FIG. 5.
The protective block 28 is disposed in the right shackle hole 213 in the padlock housing 21, and has a height that complements the length of the shorter insert end 232 of the shackle member 23. The protective block 28 is formed with a fastener hole 281 registered with the right shackle hole 213 therethrough. A screw 282 is inserted through the fastener hole 281 to engage the threaded hole 216, thereby mounting removably the protective block 28 in the padlock housing 21. The protective block 28 has a top portion provided with a flange 283 to support the catch member 24 at the right side of the padlock housing 21. The protective block 28 is made of a hard metal alloy, and is disposed at a lateral side of the lock core device 10 so as to resist a drilling action coming from a lateral direction, thereby avoiding destruction of the lock core device 10 due to the drilling action.
The foregoing is a description of the major components of the weather-resistant lock apparatus according to this invention, and their relative structural relationships and positions. The locking and unlocking operations, as well as the intended effects, of this invention will be described in the succeeding paragraphs.
Referring to
Referring to
When it is desired to unlock the lock apparatus of this invention, the correct key 30 has to be inserted into the keyhole of the lock core device 10. Referring to
Referring to
In the aforesaid unlocked state, the components of the lock apparatus of this invention can be dismantled in the following sequence:
First, the plug 26 is removed, and a tool (not shown) such as a hexagonal wrench, is extended into the aperture 218 to loosen the threaded rod 252. The lock core device 10 is then removed from the core chamber 211 through the opening 2110 in the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21.
After the lock core device 10 has been removed, a tool (not shown) is extended into the right shackle hole 213 to loosen the screw 282 in the protective block 28 and to remove the screw 282 from the threaded hole 216. The protective block 28 can be removed from the padlock housing 21 through the opening 2110 in the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21 at this time.
Thereafter, the catch members 24 can be removed from the padlock housing 21 through the opening 2110 in the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21.
Subsequently, the shackle retainer 210 and the securing block 27 are removed from the padlock housing 21, also through the opening 2110 in the bottom portion of the padlock housing 21.
Finally, the shackle member 23 is disassembled from the padlock housing 21.
As all of the internal components of the lock apparatus of this invention are detachable, defective or damaged components can be conveniently removed, and replacement components can be installed with relative ease by conducting the foregoing steps in a reverse order.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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92107643 A | Apr 2003 | TW | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040194516 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |