Abstract:
An interlocked double-unlockable lock apparatus including at least two unlocking modules. The unlocking modules are able to independently unlock the lock apparatus. The unlocking modules are at least partially interlocked with each other in a locked state. When any of the unlocking modules is unlocked, the two unlocking modules are released from each other to unlock the lock apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is related to an interlocked double-unlockable lock apparatus which is a division of fore-application Ser. No. 10/792,875. The lock apparatus includes two unlocking modules interlocked with each other.  
         [0002]     The conventional locking apparatuses include numeral system and key-driven system. The numeral system includes numeral wheel type and press key type. These locking apparatuses are widely applied to various fields. For example, Taiwanese Patent No. 369068, entitled “hanging lock structure” and Taiwanese Patent No. 498918, entitled “hanging lock structure (5)” disclose locks pertaining to key-driven system. Taiwanese Patent No. 32470, entitled “numeral lock of baggage case or suitcase” and Taiwanese Patent No. 46563, entitled “adjustable numeral lock of suitcase” disclose locks pertaining to numeral system.  
         [0003]     Practically, after the baggage case or suitcase is locked and transferred to a destination, it often takes place that a user misses the key or forgets to bring the key or forgets the unlocking number and cannot open the baggage case or suitcase. Under such circumstance, it is necessary to ask a locksmith to unlock or even break the lock for opening the baggage case or suitcase.  
         [0004]     In another condition, for ensuring security in international navigation, in more and more customs, the customs workers are authorized to forcedly break off the lock of the baggage case or suitcase and open the same for checking the contents. This can prevent restrained articles from illegally passing through the customs. However, the damage of the lock of the baggage case or suitcase is a loss to a user and will lead to trouble and inconvenience to the user.  
         [0005]     In order to improve the above situation, more and more customs have regulated that the lock manufacturers must provide a standard key for the customs for opening all the locks manufactured by the manufacturers. According to this regulation, there are several lock manufacturers all over the world who are allowed to manufacture such locks.  
         [0006]     It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a locking apparatus which meets the regulation of the customs. In case a user forgets to bring the unlocking tool or forgets the unlocking number, the locking apparatus provides another unlocking measure for the user.  
         [0007]     According to the above, various double-unlockable lock apparatuses have developed. These double-unlockable lock apparatuses are commercially available. However, in the structure design of all these lock apparatuses, two independent unlocking modules are disposed in one single lock apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare two sets of unlocking measures adapted to the two unlocking modules. Such design is quite complicated and the lock apparatus will have large volume and heavy weight. Also, the cost for such lock apparatus is relatively high.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a double-unlockable lock apparatus. The lock apparatus includes two unlocking modules which are at least partially interlocked with each other in a locked state. When any of the unlocking modules is unlocked, the two unlocking modules are unlocked from each other. The structure of the double-unlockable lock apparatus is simplified so as to minify the volume thereof.  
         [0009]     The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective assembled view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention, showing that the male fastener is unlatched from the female fastener;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the female fastener of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective partially explode view of the female fastener according to  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing that the numeral unlocking unit of the present invention is in a locked state with the male and female fasteners latched with each other;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing that the numeral unlocking unit of the present invention is in an unlocked state with the male and female fasteners unlatched from each other;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing that the key-unlocked unit of the present invention is in a locked state with the male and female fasteners latched with each other;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view-showing that the key-unlocked unit of the present invention is in an unlocked state with the male and female fasteners unlatched from each other;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing another type of key-unlocked unit;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view according to  FIG. 9 , in which the key-unlocked unit is in a locked state;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective exploded view according to  FIG. 9 , in which the key-unlocked unit is in an unlocked state;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective assembled view according to  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13A  is an enlarged view of circled area A of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side sectional assembled view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  in a locked state;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  shows the locking/unlocking operation of the numeral unlocking unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  shows the unlocking operation of the key-unlocked unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16A  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 16B  is a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  shows the unlocking operation of the key-unlocked unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention in a locked state;  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  shows the unlocking operation of the key-unlocked unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 20  is a perspective exploded view of still another embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to a hanging lock;  
         [0033]      FIG. 21A  is a partially sectional assembled view of the embodiment of  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 21B  is a view according to  FIG. 21A , showing the unlocking operation of the numeral locking unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 20 ; and  
         [0035]      FIGS. 21C and 21D  show the unlocking operation of the key-unlocked unit of the embodiment of  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     Please refer to FIGS.  1  to  8 . According to a first embodiment the lock of the present invention is a woven strap lock composed of a male fastener  10  and a female fastener  20 . One end of the male fastener  10  is looped by a fastening strap  50 . The other end of the male fastener  10  has an insertion tongue  11  which can be inserted into the female fastener  20 .  
         [0037]     Referring to FIGS.  2  to  4 , the female fastener  20  is composed of a seat body  21  and a teeterboard type latch plate  22  pivotally connected with the seat body  21 . A key-unlocked unit  30  is disposed in a non-insertion end of the seat body  21 . The other end of the seat body is formed with an insertion opening  211  corresponding to the insertion tongue  11  of the male fastener  10 . In addition, the seat body  21  is recessed to form an operation room  212  communicating with the insertion opening  211 . The latch plate  22  is mounted at the operation room  212 .  
         [0038]     Two projecting shafts  221  are disposed on two sides of the latch plate  22  near a middle section thereof for pivotally connecting with two sides of the operation room  212  of the seat body  21 . Accordingly, the latch plate  22  can be teetered back and forth within the operation room  212 . A numeral unlocking unit  40  is disposed on inner face of the latch plate  22 . One end of the latch plate  22  is formed with an engaging edge  222  corresponding to the inserted male fastener  10 . When the insertion tongue  11  is inserted into the insertion opening  211 , the engaging edge  222  is latched with the insertion tongue  11 . The other end of the latch plate is a press end  223  which can be pressed to lift the end with the engaging edge  222  so as to unlatch the Insertion tongue  11 . A displaceable member  23  (that is, locking member) is disposed at the press end  223 . The displaceable member  23  is controlled by the numeral unlocking unit  40  to be displaceable or not.  
         [0039]     The key-unlocked unit  30  is composed of a lock core seat  31 , a support member  32  and a locating block  33 . The lock core seat is fitted in a receptacle  218  of the seat body  21 . An outer end of the lock core seat is formed with a key hole  311 . An inner end of the lock core seat has a lock core  312  coupled with one end of the support member  32  for controlling the support member  32  to rotate. A support section  321  projects from the support member  32 , whereby when the support member  32  is rotated, the support section  321  can enter a locking position to stop lower side of the displaceable member  23  or enter an unlocking position to release the displaceable member  23 . The support member  32  is arranged in a dent  217  of the seat body  21 . The other end of the support member is pivotally connected with the locating block  33 . The locating block  33  is fixed in another receptacle  219  of the seat body  21  by a fixing member  331 .  
         [0040]     The numeral unlocking unit  40  is composed of a numeral wheel set  41  and a driving rod  42  driven and controlled by the numeral wheel set  41 . The driving rod  42  is resiliently extensibly fitted in the numeral wheel set  41 . A press end  421  of the driving rod  42  resiliently extends out from a hole  241  of the lock casing  24 . The displaceable member  23  of the latch plate  22  touches the press end  421  to control unlocking/locking thereof.  
         [0041]     The press end  223  of the latch plate  22  is formed with a push slot  210  in which the displaceable member  23  is slidably disposed. The displaceable member  23  has a push plate  231 . In natural state, a rear section of the push plate  231  can be resiliently pushed to engage on the support section  321  of the support member  32 . The displaceable member  23  has an abutting post  232  extending toward the numeral unlocking unit  24 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the numeral unlocking unit  40  is in an unlocked state, the latch plate  22  can push the displaceable member  23  to disengage from the support section  321 . At this time, the press end  223  can be pressed to make the other end with the engaging edge  222  turn upward and unlatch from the insertion tongue  11 . The displaceable member  23  can be directly pushed by a finger toward the numeral unlocking unit  40  to disengage the rear section of the push plate  231  from the support section  321 . Then the press end  223  of the latch plate  22  is pressed down to unlatch from the latch hook edge  111 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when a key is inserted into the keyhole  311  of the key-unlocked unit  30  and turned to an unlocked state, the support section  321  of the support member  32  is turned and no more engaged with lower side of the displaceable member  23 . Therefore, there is a sufficient space for pressing down the press end  223  into the seat body  21 . At this time, the other end with the engaging edge  222  is turned upward and unlatched from the insertion tongue  11 .  
         [0044]     FIGS.  9  to  11  show a second embodiment of the present invention, which is derived from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, not only the key-unlocked unit  30  can be disengaged from the latch plate  22  by way of rotation, but also the lock core seat  31  can be axially drawn away from the engaged position. The key-unlocked unit can be alternatively composed of a lock core seat  31 A, a support member  32 A and a locating block  33 A. The support member  32 A is divided into a rotatable section  322  and a straight shift section  323  which is pivotally fitted with the rotatable section  322 . One end of the straight shift section  323  is formed with a straight shift shaft  324  which is inserted in an extensible hole  331  of the locating block  33 A. A resilient member  34  is disposed in the extensible hole  331  for resiliently pushing the straight shift shaft  324 . In addition, the support member  32 A has a support section  321  extending to the push button  23 . One end of the rotatable section  322  is pivotally fitted in the straight shift section  321 . The other end of the rotatable section  322  is coupled with inner end of the lock core  312  and rotatable therewith. The lock core seat  31 A is mounted in the receptacle  218  of the seat body  21 . The receptacle  218  is formed with a space allowing the lock core seat  31 A to be axially outward drawn. Accordingly, in an unlocked state, the lock core seat  31 A can be straightly shifted within the space. Reversely, in a locked state, the lock core seat is fixed in the space and cannot be straightly shifted. When the lock core seat is straightly shifted, the support member  32 A can be straightly shifted to disengage from the push button  23 .  
         [0045]     Please refer to  FIGS. 12 and 13 A which respectively are perspective exploded view and assembled view of a second embodiment of the present invention. Also referring to  FIG. 14  which is a side sectional assembled view of the embodiment in a locked state, the second embodiment includes a male fastener  10 A, a female fastener  20 A, a key-unlocked unit  30 A, a numeral unlocking unit  40 A, a latch cover  6  and a button member  60 . A front edge of the female fastener  20 A is formed with projecting latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A for fitting with the male fastener  10 A. A displacement range is disposed near or between the latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A. A lower latch hook  25  is received in the displacement range. The lower latch hook  25  is transversely connected with the key-unlocked unit  30 A near a lateral side of the latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A. A lock core  301  drivable by a key extends through a lock core hole  202  into the displacement range for driving the lower latch hook  25 . The numeral unlocking unit  40 A includes a wheel shaft  401  and multiple numeral wheels  402  rotatably fitted on the wheel shaft  401 . Each numeral wheel  402  has a plane cut face  403  to which a stopper board  404  can resiliently attach. One end of the latch cover  6  is pivotally connected with the female fastener  20 A. The other end of the latch cover  6  is formed with a through hole  62 . A press end  601  of the button member  60  protrudes through the through hole  62  from the latch cover  6 . The button member  60  includes a pair of sideboards  602  with a U-shape. The press end  601  outward extends from a section between the two sideboards  602 . An inward extending section  603  inward extends from the section between the two sideboards  602 . A resilient member  604  is compressed between the female fastener  20 A and the button member  60 . In normal state, the button member  60  is forced forward to fit with front end of the latch cover  6 . The inward extending section  603  extends to one side of the numeral unlocking unit  40 A. In locked state, the rear end of the stopper board  404  of the numeral unlocking unit  40 A stops the inward extending section  603  from inward moving. Under such circumstance, the button member  60  cannot be pushed inward. An upper latch hook  605  is formed on the middle of the button member  60  and extends toward the lower latch hook  25 . In normal state, the upper latch hook  605  is hooked with the lower latch hook  25  of the female fastener  20 A, whereby the latch cover  6  is kept locked with the female fastener  20 A. Under such circumstance, the male fastener  10 A cannot be disengaged from the latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A so as to achieve a locking effect.  
         [0046]      FIG. 15  shows the unlocking operation of the numeral unlocking unit  40 A of the third embodiment. When the numeral wheels  402  are turned to a correct position (number), the plane cut faces  403  are flush with the top face of the stopper board  404 . The stopper board  404  is moved away from the position where the inward extending section  603  is stopped. At this time, the button member  60  can be pressed to compress the resilient member  604  and make the upper latch hook  605  of the button member  60  disengaged from the lower latch hook  25 . Under such circumstance, the latch cover  6  can be turned upward and the male fastener  10 A can be disengaged from the latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A and unlocked.  
         [0047]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show the unlocking operation of the key-unlocked unit  30 A of the third embodiment of the present invention. Also referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the center of a lateral face of the latch hook seat  201  is transversely formed with a lock core through hole  202  in which the lock core  301  is received. On end of the lock core hole  202  has a sector notch  203  near the displacement range. A channel  204  extends from the sector notch  203  toward the other end. A middle section of the lock core  301  is formed with a perpendicularly extending projecting block  302 . When the projecting block  302  is rotated within the sector notch  203  to a position not aligned with the channel  204 , the lock core  301  cannot be axially outward drawn out. In normal state, the upper latch hook  605  of the button member  60  is resiliently pushed by the resilient member  604  to keep hooking with the lower latch hook  25 . At this time, the male fastener  10 A fastened with the female fastener  20 A is pressed by the latch cover  6  in a locked state. When the lock core  301  is driven and rotated by an inserted key, the projecting block  302  is rotated to a position (true unlocking position) aligned with the channel  204 . At this time, the lock core  301  can be outward slid along the lock core-hole  202  (with the projecting block  302  sliding within the channel  204 ). The lower latch hook  25  is driven to transversely move and unlatch from the upper latch hook  605 . Under such circumstance, the latch cover  6  is released and can be turned upward; whereby the male fastener  10 A is unlocked.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 18 and 19  show another embodiment derived from the embodiments of FIGS.  13  to  18 . In this embodiment, the lower latch hook  25 A is disposed in a displaceable range between the latch hook seats  201 ,  201 A. A projecting section  303  drivable by the lock core  301  abuts against the lower latch hook  25 A. A resilient member  205  is compressed between the lower latch hook  25 A and a stopper section  206  projecting from the female fastener  20 A. The resilient member  205  resiliently pushes the lower latch hook  25 A to keep the lower latch book  25 A tightly hooked with the upper latch hook  605 . Under such circumstance, the latch cover  6  is locked. When a key is inserted into the lock core  301  to drive and rotate the projecting section  303 , the lower latch hook  25 A is pushed away and disengaged from the upper latch hook  605  (with the resilient member  205  compressed). Under such circumstance, the latch cover  6  can be turned upward to unlock the male fastener.  
         [0049]     Please refer to FIGS.  20  to  21 D. The above embodiment is applicable to a hanging lock  7 . The hanging lock  7  has a housing  70  and a movable hook  80  pivotally disposed on the housing  70 . A numeral unlocking unit  71  is installed in the housing  70 . A key-unlocked unit  81  is disposed on the movable hook  80 . The movable hook  80  is movable relative to the housing  70  to form an unlocked state or, a locked state. The numeral unlocking unit  71  has a driving rod  710  extending toward the movable hook  80 . The key-unlocked unit  81  has a movable lock core  810  extending toward the driving rod  710  in reverse direction. In a locked state of the movable hook  80 , a rear end  811  of the movable lock core  810  just touches the driving rod  710 . Besides, the rear end  811  is formed with a notch  812 . When the movable lock core  810  is rotated to a certain angle, by means of the notch  812 , the movable lock core  810  avoids touching the driving rod  710 . Therefore, a displaceable space  78  is defined between the movable lock core  810  and the driving rod  710 .  
         [0050]     Accordingly, when the numeral unlocking unit  71  is turned to an unlocking number, the movable hook  80  can be inward pressed in an unlocking direction. At this time, the driving rod  710  can be resiliently displaced with the movable hook  80 . Reversely, when the numeral unlocking unit  71  is in a locked state, the driving rod  710  cannot be displaced to unlock the hanging lock. However, when a key is inserted to rotate the movable lock core  810  of the key-unlocked unit  81 , the notch  812  can be moved to a position where the movable lock core  810  avoids touching the driving rod  710 . At this time, the movable hook  80  can be still displaced to unlock the hanging lock without being stopped by the driving rod  710 . Therefore, the hanging lock is double-unlockable.  
         [0051]     The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.