Patent ID: 8096150
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: A44B,E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A dual-mode padlock system constructed for locking two cooperating zipper pull tabs to a product upon which a zipper assembly is mounted, said system comprising: A. a housing incorporating a key controlled locking assembly and a combination controlled locking assembly, each being mounted in the housing for locking and unlocking operation independently of each other; B. a first zipper pull tab receiving zone and a second zipper pull tab receiving zone formed in the housing in cooperating relationship with each other and constructed for enabling each zipper pull tab to be independently positioned in one of said receiving zones for locking interengagement therein; C. a first latching member positioned in cooperating relationship with the first zipper pull tab receiving zone and constructed for being movable between locking interengagement with a first zipper pull tab and unlocking release of said first zipper pull tab; D. a second latching member positioned in cooperating relationship with the second zipper pull tab receiving zone and constructed for being movable between locking interengagement with a second zipper pull tab and unlocking release of said second zipper pull tab; E. a control plate mounted in the housing for movement therein in response to the activation of the key controlled locking assembly or the combination controlled locking assembly and constructed for causing the first latching member and the second latching member to become disengaged from the zipper pull tabs associated therewith whenever activated; and F. said combination controlled locking assembly being further defined as comprising: whereby a padlock system is achieved which securely affixes the two cooperating zipper pull tabs mounted to the product and enables the zipper pull tabs to be released in response to the activation of either the combination controlled locking assembly or the key controlled locking assembly.