WO1999000567A2

WO1999000567A2 - Padlocks and padlock accessories

Info

Publication number: WO1999000567A2
Application number: PCT/ZW1998/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodney Christoffel Spies
Original assignee: Brighton, Barry, David
Priority date: 1997-05-12
Filing date: 1998-05-11
Publication date: 1999-01-07
Also published as: AU8415598A; WO1999000567A3

Abstract

A padlock comprises a body (3) and a shackle (4) having a pair of parallel pins (5, 6) at least the ends of which are selectively securable in the body (3), a shield (7; 30; 51; 61; 71; 81) being provided, from which the pins extend, the shield being shaped such as to provide limited exposure of the shackle.

Description

PADLOCKS AND PADLOCK ACCESSORIES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to padlocks and accessories therefor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Padlocks are widely used for security purposes. Usually, padlocks have a shackle which is substantially "u"-shaped and movable in a body between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. In the locked condition, the shackle and the body for a closed loop while in the unlocked condition the shackle has at least one free end which can be inserted through a staple. Also, in the unlocked condition, one end of the shackle is usually held rotatably secured in the body.

Padlocks suffer the disadvantage that they usually can be fairly easily broken. Typical methods of breaking padlocks include the use of a bolt cutter to sever the shackle, twisting the shackle and the body in opposite directions by use of wrenches or levering the body away from the shackle. Further methods include forcing the body away from the shackle by means of a winch or jack or by means of a punch and hammer.

A number of devices have been proposed to remedy one or more of these problems. One device employs a cover over the whole of the padlock to prevent access to the staple with a bolt cutter. This method does not, however, prevent the body from being pulled away from the shackle. Another device provides a core which is mounted between the shackle and body of a padlock to leave only a portion of the shackle available to receive a staple. This type of device, however, does not prevent the padlock being destroyed when a punch is placed on the core and struck with a hammer to move the base of the padlock away from the shackle. This„device is also inconvenient as it can fall away from the shackle when the shackle is in the unlocked position. Another type of padlock employs flanges extending from the body-of the padlock to protect the shackle. Again, these padlocks provide only limited protection against bolt cutters and punching. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide a padlock accessory which will, at least partially, alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a padlock comprising a body and a shackle having a pair of parallel pins at least the ends of which are selectively securable in the body, and a shield from which the pins extend and shaped to provide limited exposure of the shackle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the shackle is a substantially

"u"-shaped elongate member with the shield secured thereto.

Further features of the invention provide for the shield to project partway over the body when the shackle is in a locked condition; for the shield to be formed by a pair of plates secured on opposite sides of the elongate member; for the plates to be secured together by means of a bolt passing through an aperture in one plate and received in a complementary socket in a lug on the other plate; and for the head of the bolt to be severable from the shank of the bolt.

According to a second aspect of the invention the shield is integral with the shackle and forms a solid body.

Further features of the invention provide for a recess to be formed between the shackle and body with the shackle in a locked condition and for a pin to extend within the recess; and for the shackle to be transversely of similar cross-sectional shape to the body.

Further features of the invention provide for the padlock to have at least one spacer slidably receivable on a pin to further limit exposure of the pin. Still further features of the invention provide for the padlock to have a cover fitted over the body to limit exposure of the body.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the cover to have apertures therein through which the pins of the shackle can extend; and for the cover to have an aperture therein through which a key can be inserted into a keyhole in the body to operate the padlock.

Further features of the invention provide for part of the operating mechanism of the padlock to abut the cover; for a bolt to be slidable in the body to selectively secure at least one pin in the body and for the bolt to abut the cover; and for part of the ends of the pins to abut the cover with the shackle in the locked condition.

Further features of the invention provide for the bolt to have a slot for locating over a locking pin wherein the locking pin is a snug fit in the slot; and for the cross-sectional diameter of one pin to be greater than that of the other pin.

The invention also provides a shield for a shackle substantially as defined above.

The invention further provides a cover for a body substantially as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the embodiment in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a sectional front elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory according to a second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the embodiment in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of the embodiment in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory a third embodiment;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the embodiment in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the embodiment in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory according to a fourth embodiment;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the embodiment in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a front elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory according to a fifth embodiment;

Figure 13 is a part-sectional side elevation of a padlock and padlock accessory according to a sixth embodiment; and

Figure 14 is a sectional side elevation of the padlock accessory in Figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of a padlock (1) is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and has a body (3) and a shackle (4) which is formed by a cross-sectionally round elongate member of "u"-shape. The shackle (4) thus has a pair of parallel pins (5,6) with one pin (6) being rotatably secured in the body (3), with the shackle (4) in an unlocked condition and the other pin (5) being selectively securable in a socket (not shown) in the body (3) in conventional manner. According to the invention, a shield (7) is provided which is secured to the shackle (4) and shaped to provide limited exposure of the pins (5,6). In this embodiment, the shield has a first plate (8) and a second plate (9) which are secured to either side of the shackle (4). The plates (8,9) are arch-shaped to conform to the shape of the shackle and have a stepped shoulder (10) to leave part of the pin (5) exposed. The plates (8,9) are secured together on either side of the shackte (4) by a bolt having a screw threaded shank (16). The shank (16) has a radially enlarged portion (17) partway up its length and a head (18) extending from the enlarged portion (17). The shank (16) passes through an aperture (19) in the first plate (8) and is received in a complementary threaded socket (20) in a lug (21) on the inner surface of the second plate (9). Once the shank (16) is firmly secured in the socket (13) with the enlarged portion (17) abutting the outer surface of the first plate (8), the head (18) can be severed from the shank (16) by continued rotation thereof about the shank (16).

The lug (21) extends partway up the length of the inner surface of the second plate (9) to abut the shackle (4) at its point of curvature and so hinder movement of the plates (8,9) up the shackle (4).

From the above description it will be apparent that the shield (7) limits exposure of the shackle (4) and so assists in preventing the shackle (4) being cut by a bolt cutter (not shown). The shield (7) also reduces the surface area of the padlock available for using a punch (not shown) or other device for forcing the shackle (4) away from the body (3) as the plates (8,9) terminate adjacent the body (3) when the shackle (4) is in a locked condition.

A second embodiment of a padlock shield (30) is shown in Figures 4 to 6. Similarly to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, the shield (30) has a first plate (31) and a second plate (32) secured to either side of a shackle (4) of a padlock (1) by a bolt (33). In this embodiment, however, the second plate (32) has a normally projecting peripheral flange (34) which abuts against the outer circumference of the first plate (31) to enclose the shackle (4).

Also in this embodiment, the first plate (31) and second plate (32) each have a downwardly projecting _^apron (35,36) which extends partway over the upper surface (37) of the body (3) of the padlock (1) when the shackle (4) is in the locked condition (as shown). When the shackle (4) is in the unlocked condition, the aprons (34,35) terminate above the surface (37) to allow the shackle (4) to be rotatable in the body (3). Furthermore, the enlarged portion (38) on the shank (39) of the bolt (33) is received in a rebate (40) in the first plate (31). With the head (41) of the bolt (33) severed from the shank (39), it is difficult to tamper with the enlarged portion (38) of the bolt (33).

Similarly to the previous embodiment, the plates (31,32) have a stepped shoulder

(45) to expose a pin (5) of the shackle (4) so that a shackle (4) can be received thereon when the shackle (4) is in the open condition.

It will be appreciated that the shield (30), in this embodiment, provides very limited exposure of the shackle while the aprons (35,36) assist in preventing the padlock (1) from being destroyed by twisting the body (3) in an opposite direction to the shackle (4).

A third embodiment of a padlock (50) is shown in Figures 7 to 9. In this embodiment, the shackle (51) is integral with a shield and forms a solid body with a pair of parallel pins (52,53) extending therefrom. The shackle (51) is cross-sectionally rectangular and has a stepped shoulder (54) extending partway along its length from which the pin (52) extends. In use, the pin (53) is rotatably secured in the body (55) of the padlock (50) with the pin (53) selectively securable in the body (55) in conventional manner. In the locked condition, the lower surface (56) of the shackle (51) is adjacent to the upper surface (57) of the body (55) with a recess being formed between the upper surface (57) and the shoulder (54). The recess permits a shackle (not shown) to be secured about the pin (52). An annular spacer (58) is slidably received on the pin (52). The spacer (58) abuts, in use, a staple (not shown) so that the staple is a snug fit between the spacer (58) and the body (55) of the padlock (50).

A fourth embodiment of a padlock (60) is shown in Figures 10 and 11. This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the shackle (61) is arch-shaped and is narrower in plan view than the body (62) of the padlock (60).

A fifth embodiment of a padlock (70) is shown in Figure 12. This embodiment differs from the third and fourth embodiments in that a recess (71) is formed between the shackle (72) and body (73) of the padlock (70) to expose a pin (74) of the shackle (72) by a stepped shoulder (75) in the body (73). Again, a spacer (76) can be slidably received on the shackle pin (74) to allow a staple (not shown) to be snugly secured on the pin (74).

It will be appreciated that the padlocks shown in the preceding Figures are less 5 easily destroyed than conventional padlocks as less of the upper surface of the body of the padlocks is available to receive blows by a hammer and punch, while the limited exposure of the shackle hinders its destruction.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, slots can be machined into the upper surface of the body of the padlock such that the aprons of the shield fit therein to leave the l o plates of the shield flush with the sides of the body. This will render the padlock more difficult to tamper with.

It will also be appreciated that many other embodiments of a padlock and shield exist which fall within the scope of the invention especially as regards the shape and configuration thereof.

15 The invention further provides a padlock with an improved body. As shown in

Figures 13 and 14, a padlock (80) has a shackle (81) and a body (82). The shackle (81) is substantially as described with reference to Figures 7 to 9 and has a first pin (83) and a second parallel pin (84) extending therefrom. The second pin (84) is secured in the body (82) to be rotatable when the shackle is in an

20 unlocked condition. Annular spacers (85) are slidably received on the second pin (83) the end of which is selectively securable in the body (82).

A bolt (86) is slidably mounted in the body (82) to engage a stepped recess (87,88) in the respective ends of the pins (83,84). The shear area of the bolt (86) is increased over conventional padlocks in that a lip is not machined into the

25 lower end thereof. The -bolt (86) is held in a locked condition by a locking pin (89) which operatively locates in a slot (90) in the bolt (86). The locking pin (89) extends from a padlock cylinder (91) which is rotatable by a key (not shown) in conventional manner. According to the invention, the slot (90) is a snug fit over the locking pin (89) thus preventing the bolts (86) sliding out of engagement with

30 the slots (87,88) in the pins (83,84) when an upward force is applied to the shackle (81) relative to the body (82). In the unlocked condition the locking pin (89) retracts the bolt (86) by rotation of the cylinder (91) to allow the bolt (86) to slide out of engagement with the recesses (87,88).

The body is secured within a cover (100) in the form of a blind sleeve which is 5 made of a hardened metal. The cover (100) acts to protect the internal components of the body (2) and reduces the need for a thick outer surface on the body (82) to the extent that some of the internal components can abut the cover (100). In this embodiment, the bolt (86) is slidable between an upper surface (101) of the cover (100) and the body (2). The ends of the pins (83,84) of l o the shackle (81) project through respective apertures (102,103) in the cover (100) and a base plate (104) is a press-fit in the open lower end (105) of the cover (100). An aperture (106) in the base plate (104) allows a key (not shown) to be inserted in the cylinder (91).

The outer surface of the body (82) does not extend fully around the pins (83,83) 15 and these abut the cover (100) in the locked condition. This allows a cylindrical retaining pin (107) to be inserted between the cover (100) and the pin (84) and in turn allows for the pin (84) to seat deeper in the body (82) without increasing the height of the base. Also, the pin (84) can be seated shallower than is normal in the body (82) and this serves to reduce the height of the body (82).

20 The cover (100) also permits harder material to be used than is economically practical for conventional padlocks as little or no machining of the material is necessary to form the cover. Also, the cover (100) allows the body (82) to be made of a relatively low strength material, such as plastics, as the strength and rigidity of the padlock (80) is provided through the cover rather than the body

25 (82).

It will be appreciated however that many other embodiments of a cover exit which fall within the scope of the invention. The cover need not be abutted by internal components of the padlock but could be a slide- or press-fit over a conventional padlock body. The cover could take the form of an open ended sleeve or a 30 sleeve closed at one end with an aperture in the end to allow a key to be inserted into the body.

Claims

1. A padlock comprising a body and a shackle having a pair if parallel pins at least the ends of which are selectively securable in the body, and a shield from which the pins extend, the shield being shaped to provide limited exposure of the shackle.

2. A padlock as claimed in claim 1 in which the shackle is a substantially

"u"-shaped elongate member with the shield secured thereto.

3. A padlock as claimed in claim 2 in which the shield projects partway over the body when the shackle is in a locked condition.

4. A padlock as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 in which the shield is formed by a pair of plates secured on opposite sides of the elongate member.

5. A padlock as claimed in claim 4 in which the plates are secured together by means of a bolt passing through an aperture in one plate and received in a complementary socket in a lug on the other plate.

6. A padlock as claimed in claim 5 in which the head of the bolt is severable from the shank of the bolt.

7. A padlock as claimed in claim 1 in which the shield is integral with the shackle and forms a solid body with the pair of pins projecting therefrom.

8. A padlock as claimed in claim 7 in which a recess is formed between the shackle and body with the shackle in locked condition and wherein a pin extends within the recess.

9 A padlock as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the shackle is transversely of similar cross-sectional shape to the body.

10. A padlock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the padlock has at least one spacer slidably receivable a pin -to further limit exposure of the pin.

11. A padlock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the padlock has a cover fitted over the body to limit exposure of the body.

12. A padlock as claimed in claim 11 in which the cover has apertures therein through which the pins of the shackle can extend.

13. A padlock as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 in which the cover has an aperture therein through which a key can be inserted into a keyhole in the o body to operate the padlock.

14. A padlock as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 in which part of the operating mechanism of the padlock abuts the cover.

15. A padlock as claimed in claim 14 in which a bolt is slidable in the body to selectively secure at least one pin in the body and wherein the bolt abuts 5 the cover.

16. A padlock as claimed in claim 14 or 15 in which part of the ends of the pins abut the cover with the shackle in the locked condition.

17. A padlock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a bolt is provided in the body for selectively securing at least one pin in the body, the 0 bolt having a slot for locating over a locking pin and wherein the locking pin is a snug fit in the slot.

18. A padlock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the cross-sectional diameter of one pin is greater than that of the other pin.

19. A shield for a padlock substantially as defined in any one of the preceding 5 claims.

20. A cover for a padlock body substantially as defined in any one of claims 10 to 16.