Abstract:
A dual-mode padlock can be unlatched by dialing a combination assembly or an associated key. The dual-mode padlock has a latching element movably mounted inside to engage with or disengage from a latch. When the dual-mode padlock is locked, the user can directly push the latch into a mounting groove to engage with the latching element and make the dual-mode padlock locked, without use of the associated key or dialing of the combination assembly. This makes it timesaving and convenient to lock the dual-mode padlock.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a lock, and more particularly to a dual-mode padlock that is timesaving and convenient to lock. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Locks are used to prevent articles from being stolen. Different locks may have different structures and are locked or unlocked in different ways. 
   For example, a padlock generally has a protruding latch and a latching hole formed on the padlock corresponding to the latch. A user commonly unlocks the padlock via insertion and rotation of an associated key, otherwise, the user may also dials a combination assembly to unlatch the padlock. 
   As for the padlock is locked, the user can push the latch to insert into the latching hole and be latched, such that an article can be securely fastened at a position. 
   However, the latch is latched only when the associated key inserted in the padlock or the combination assembly in an unlocked condition. This makes it time-consuming and inconvenient to lock the padlock. 
   To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a dual-mode padlock to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The main objective of the present invention is to provide a dual-mode padlock that is unlatched in two modes and has a latch allows a user to push the latch directly to be latched in a corresponding latching hole. 
   To achieve the objective, the dual-mode padlock in accordance with present invention comprises a housing, a latch, a combination assembly and a cylinder mechanism. 
   The housing has a latching hole and a longitudinal mounting groove, and the mounting groove has a latching element mounted inside. The latch protrudes from the housing and is mounted movably in the mounted groove and has a latching end corresponding to the latching hole of the housing and selectively engaged with the latching element. 
   The combination assembly comprises multiple wheel assemblies that allow the user to rotate to therefor actuate the latching element to disengage from the latch and make the dual-mode padlock unlock. 
   The cylinder mechanism has a keyhole for an associated key to insert into actuate the latching element to disengage from the latch and make the dual-mode padlock unlock. 
   When the dual-mode padlock is locked, the user can directly push the latch into the mounting groove to engage the latch with the latching element and make the dual-mode padlock locked. 
   Accordingly, the dual-mode padlock is locked without turning the associated key or the combination assembly and to lock the padlock is timesaving and convenient. 
   Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a dual-mode padlock in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 1  with internal components shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the combination assembly of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an operational front view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 3  showing the latch is unlatched; 
       FIG. 6  is an operational side view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 1  showing an associated key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder; 
       FIG. 7  is an operational front view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 3  showing the cylinder is rotated; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of an another embodiment of a dual-mode padlock in accordance with present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is an operational front view of the dual-mode padlock in  FIG. 8  showing the latch is unlatched. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  8 , the dual-mode padlock in accordance with present invention comprises a housing ( 10 ), a latch ( 20 ) ( 20 ′), an associated key ( 50 ), a cylinder mechanism ( 30 ) and a combination assembly ( 40 ). 
   The housing ( 10 ) comprises two halves and has a top, an outer surface, two sides, a latching hole ( 17 ), a combination chamber ( 11 ), a receiving notch ( 12 ), a cylinder chamber ( 13 ), a mounting groove ( 15 ) and a latching element ( 16 ). 
   The two halves attach to each other to form the housing ( 10 ), and each half has an outer surface and multiple openings ( 111 ). The openings ( 111 ) are formed through the outer surface and are aligned with each other, and the openings ( 111 ) in one half align respectively with the openings ( 111 ) in the other half. 
   The latching hole ( 17 ) is defined in the outer surface on the top of the housing ( 10 ) near one side. 
   The combination chamber ( 11 ) corresponds to the openings ( 111 ) in the halves of the housing ( 10 ) and has multiple wheel recesses ( 110 ). The wheel recesses ( 110 ) respectively align and communicate with the openings ( 111 ) in the halves of the housing ( 10 ). 
   The receiving notch ( 12 ) is formed in the housing ( 10 ) adjacent to the combination chamber ( 11 ) and communicates respectively with the wheel recesses ( 110 ) in the housing ( 10 ). 
   The cylinder chamber ( 13 ) is formed through the top of the housing ( 10 ) in-line with the combination chamber ( 11 ) and has two sides, a second resilient element ( 130 ) and a holding bracket ( 14 ). The second resilient element ( 130 ) is mounted securely in one side of the cylinder chamber ( 13 ) and has a top end. The holding bracket ( 14 ) is mounted slidably in the cylinder chamber ( 13 ) and has a top, a bottom, an outer surface, a center, a holding recess ( 140 ), a first engaging notch ( 142 ), a second engaging notch ( 143 ) and a pushing rod ( 144 ). The top of the holding bracket ( 14 ) protrudes from the top of the housing ( 10 ). The holding recess ( 140 ) is formed in the center of the holding bracket ( 14 ) and has an inner surface and two latching notches ( 141 ) formed in the inner surface and opposite to each other. The first engaging notch ( 142 ) and the second engaging notch ( 143 ) are formed in the outer surface of the holding bracket ( 14 ) adjacent to each other. The pushing rod ( 144 ) protrudes from the bottom of the holding bracket ( 14 ). 
   The mounting groove ( 15 ) is formed longitudinally in the housing ( 10 ) near the side opposite to the latching hole ( 17 ) and has a top opening, a bottom, an inner surface, a limit ( 150 ), a first resilient element ( 151 ) and a latching channel ( 152 ). The top opening is formed in the outer surface of the housing ( 10 ). The limit ( 150 ) is formed on the inner surface near the top opening of the mounting groove ( 15 ). The first resilient element ( 151 ) is mounted in the mounting groove ( 15 ) and has a top end. The latching channel ( 152 ) is formed through the inner surface of the mounting groove ( 15 ), communicates with the cylinder chamber ( 13 ) and selectively aligns with the first engaging notch ( 142 ) and the second engaging notch ( 143 ). 
   The latching element ( 16 ) is spherical, is movably arranged in the latching channel ( 152 ) and selectively engages the first engaging notch ( 142 ) and the second engaging notch ( 143 ). 
   The latch ( 20 ) is J-shaped and includes a mounting portion ( 23 ) and a latching portion. The mounting portion ( 23 ) is slidably mounted in the mounting groove ( 15 ) of the housing ( 10 ) and has a side surface, a bottom end, a limit hole ( 24 ) and a latching recess ( 22 ). The bottom end abuts the top end of the first resilient element ( 151 ) and gradually compresses the first resilient element ( 151 ) in the mounting groove ( 15 ) when the mounting portion ( 23 ) slides downward. The limit hole ( 24 ) is elongated and is longitudinally formed through the mounting portion ( 23 ) of the latch ( 20 ) to receive the limit ( 150 ) in the mounting groove ( 15 ) and therefor limits the slide distance of the latch ( 20 ) relative to the housing ( 10 ). The latching recess ( 22 ) is formed in the side surface of the mounting portion ( 23 ) and selectively aligns with the latching channel ( 152 ) to engage with the latching element ( 16 ) and retain the latch ( 20 ) securely. The latching portion is bent, has a latching end ( 21 ) corresponding to the latching hole ( 17 ) of the housing ( 10 ) and is latched in the latching hole ( 17 ) when the latching recess ( 22 ) of the mounting portion ( 23 ) engages with the latching element ( 16 ). 
   The associated key ( 50 ) has a handle and a blade. The blade has an edge and a keycut ( 51 ) formed in the edge. 
   The cylinder mechanism ( 30 ) comprises a cylinder, multiple actuating elements ( 34 ) and multiple springs ( 35 ). The cylinder is mounted rotatably in the holding recess ( 140 ) and has an outer surface, a top, a bottom, two ends, a keyhole ( 31 ), multiple slits ( 32 ) and an actuating bar ( 33 ). The keyhole ( 31 ) is formed longitudinally through one end of the cylinder and allows an associated key ( 50 ) to insert into. The slits ( 32 ) are formed diametrically in the top and the bottom of the cylinder and communicate with the keyhole ( 31 ) respectively. The actuating bar ( 33 ) extends out from the outer surface of the cylinder and has a distal end abutting the top end of the second resilient element ( 130 ) of the cylinder chamber ( 13 ) and gradually compressing the second resilient element ( 130 ) when the holding bracket ( 14 ) moves downward or the cylinder is rotated. 
   The actuating elements ( 34 ) are flat and are movably mounted in the slits ( 32 ) of the cylinder, respectively. Each actuating element ( 34 ) has a center, two sides, a central aperture ( 340 ) and a salient ( 341 ). With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the central aperture ( 340 ) is formed through the center of the actuating element ( 34 ) and has a length according to the keycut ( 51 ) of the associated key ( 50 ) and allows the actuating element ( 34 ) to be drawn back in the corresponding slit ( 32 ) when the associated key ( 50 ) is inserted in the keyhole ( 31 ). The springs ( 35 ) are mounted in the slits ( 32 ) and abut the salients ( 341 ) of the actuating elements ( 34 ) to make the actuating elements ( 34 ) protruding from the slit ( 32 ) and engaging in the latching notches ( 141 ) of the holding recess ( 140 ) of the holding bracket ( 14 ) to retain the cylinder in position. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the combination assembly ( 40 ) is mounted in the combination chamber ( 11 ) of the housing ( 10 ) and comprises a pintle ( 43 ), multiple wheel assemblies, a resilient detent ( 45 ) and a retaining spring ( 44 ). 
   The pintle ( 43 ) is movably mounted longitudinally in the combination chamber ( 11 ) and has a surface, multiple protrusions ( 430 ) formed separately on the surface and a top stage ( 431 ) abutting the pushing rod ( 144 ) of the holding bracket ( 14 ), such that the pintle ( 43 ) can be pushed to move downward when the holding bracket ( 14 ) is compressed. The multiple protrusions ( 430 ) are formed into multiple groups. 
   The wheel assemblies are mounted rotatably around the pintle ( 43 ) respectively in the wheel recesses ( 110 ) and correspond respectively to the openings ( 111 ) of the housing ( 10 ). Each wheel assembly includes a wheel ( 41 ) and a wheel bracket ( 42 ). The wheel ( 41 ) has an outer edge, a central hole ( 412 ), multiple flutes ( 411 ) and multiple teeth ( 413 ). The central hole ( 412 ) is formed through the wheel ( 41 ) and has an inner edge. The flutes ( 411 ) are formed around the outer edge of the wheel ( 41 ) and divide the outer edge into equal segments. Each segment has a unique number ( 410 ). The teeth ( 413 ) are formed on and protrude in from the inner edge of the central hole ( 412 ) and define multiple recesses between the teeth ( 413 ). The wheel bracket ( 42 ) is tubular, is mounted rotatably around the pintle ( 43 ), corresponds respectively to and are held on one of the wheels ( 41 ), and has a top, a bottom, a flange, a combination hole ( 421 ) and at least one retaining tooth ( 420 ). The flange is formed on and protrudes radially out from the top of the wheel bracket ( 42 ) and is mounted in the central hole ( 412 ) of the wheel ( 41 ) and is supported by the teeth ( 413 ). The combination hole ( 421 ) is formed longitudinally through the wheel bracket ( 42 ) and has an inner edge and multiple holding recesses ( 422 ). The holding recesses ( 422 ) are defined in the inner edge of the combination hole ( 421 ) and correspond to and selectively hold a corresponding group of protrusions ( 430 ) on the pintle ( 43 ) when the pintle ( 43 ) is compressed. The retaining teeth ( 420 ) are formed around the wheel bracket ( 42 ) below the flange and engage one recess between a pair of adjacent teeth ( 413 ) in the central hole ( 412 ) of the wheel ( 41 ), such that the wheel brackets ( 42 ) will rotate with the wheels ( 41 ) simultaneously. 
   The resilient detent ( 45 ) is mounted securely in the receiving notch ( 12 ) of the housing ( 10 ) and has multiple retaining ends ( 450 ). The retaining ends ( 450 ) respectively abut and slide on the outer edge of the wheels ( 41 ) and engage the flutes ( 411 ) on the wheels ( 41 ) to hold the number ( 410 ) on the wheel ( 41 ) squarely in the corresponding opening ( 111 ). 
   The retaining spring ( 44 ) is mounted around the pintle ( 43 ) between the top stage ( 431 ) of the pintle ( 43 ) and the flange of an uppermost one of the wheel brackets ( 42 ) to push the pintle ( 43 ) upward when the pintle ( 43 ) is released. 
   Furthermore, with reference to  FIG. 8 , in an another embodiment of the dual-mode padlock in accordance with present invention, the mounting groove ( 15 ) is formed longitudinally in the housing ( 10 ) beside combination chamber ( 11 ) and has a top opening, a bottom, an inner surface, a first resilient element ( 151 ), a latching channel ( 152 ), an inner salient ( 211 ′) and a holding block ( 21 ′). The top opening is formed in the outer surface of the housing ( 10 ). The first resilient element ( 151 ) is mounted in the mounting groove ( 15 ) and has a top end. The latching channel ( 152 ) is formed through the inner surface of the mounting groove ( 15 ), communicates with the cylinder chamber ( 13 ) and selectively aligns with the first engaging notch ( 142 ) and the second engaging notch ( 143 ). The inner salient ( 211 ′) is formed on the inner surface near the top opening of the mounting groove ( 15 ) of the housing ( 10 ). The holding block ( 21 ′) is mounted on the top end of the first resilient element ( 151 ) and has a top, a bottom and a flange ( 210 ′). The flange ( 210 ′) is formed around the bottom of the holding block ( 21 ′) and selectively abuts the inner salient ( 211 ′) of the mounting groove ( 15 ) to stop the holding block ( 21 ′) and prevent the holding block ( 21 ′) from escaping from the mounting groove ( 15 ). 
   Additionally, the latch ( 20 ′) is flexible, may be a cable wire and has a proximal end, a distal end and a latching block ( 200 ′). The proximal end is mounted securely in the latching hole ( 17 ) of the housing ( 10 ). The latching block ( 200 ′) connects securely to the distal end of the latch ( 20 ′), pushes the holding block ( 21 ′) to move downward when the latching block ( 200 ′) is pushed into the mounting groove ( 15 ) and has a latching recess ( 22 ′) selectively aligning with the latching channel ( 152 ) to engage with the latching element ( 16 ) and retain the latch ( 20 ′) securely. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , when the dual-mode padlock is unlocked, a user rotates the wheels ( 41 ) according to the numbers ( 410 ). When the wheels ( 41 ) are rotated to positions base on a predetermined code, the wheel brackets ( 42 ) are rotated with the wheels ( 41 ) to a position where the holding recesses ( 422 ) in all the wheel brackets ( 42 ) align with the protrusions ( 43 ) on the pintle ( 43 ). Before the wheels ( 41 ) being rotated to the predetermined code, the pintle ( 43 ) is kept from being moving downward due to being blocked by the flanges on the wheel brackets ( 42 ). Thus, the user can press the holding bracket ( 14 ) to move the pintle ( 43 ) downward and make the protrusions ( 430 ) on the pintle ( 43 ) extending into and held in the corresponding holding recesses ( 422 ). Such that the actuating bar ( 33 ) may gradually compress the second resilient element ( 130 ) and therefore allows the latching element ( 16 ) to extend out from the latching channel ( 152 ) and engage with the first engaging notch ( 142 ) of the holding bracket ( 14 ) and thereby retain the position of the holding bracket ( 14 ). Accordingly, the latching recess ( 22 ) disengages from the latching element ( 16 ) so that the latch ( 20 ) can be pushed upward by the first resilient element ( 151 ) to disengage the latching end ( 21 ) from the latching hole ( 17 ) of the housing ( 10 ). 
   With further reference to  FIG. 7 , in another operation embodiment, the user can insert the associated key ( 50 ) into the keyhole ( 31 ) of the cylinder and rotate the key ( 50 ), such that the actuating bar ( 33 ) may compress the second resilient element ( 130 ) and therefore allows the latching element ( 16 ) to extend out the latching channel ( 152 ) and engage with the second engaging notch ( 143 ) of the holding bracket ( 14 ). Accordingly, the latching recess ( 22 ) disengages from the latching element ( 16 ) so that the latch ( 20 ) can be pushed upward by the first resilient element ( 151 ) to disengage the latching end ( 21 ) from the latching hole ( 17 ) of the housing ( 10 ). 
   With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in the another embodiment of the dual-mode padlock in accordance with present invention, when the holding bracket ( 14 ) is pushed downward or the associated key ( 50 ) is inserted into the cylinder and rotated, the latch&#39;s ( 20 ′) latching block ( 200 ′) disengages from the latching element ( 16 ) and is pushed upward by the first resilient element ( 151 ) and the latch ( 20 ′) is unlatched from the housing ( 10 ) thereby. 
   Accordingly, when the dual-mode padlock is locked, the user only have to press the latch ( 20 ) ( 20 ′) to move downward until the latching end ( 21 ) of the latch ( 20 ) insert into the latching hole ( 17 ), or the latching block ( 200 ′) be inserted into the mounting groove ( 15 ) to make the latching recess ( 22 ) ( 22 ′) aligning with the latching channel ( 152 ). In such a manner, the latching element ( 16 ) will disengage from the first engaging notch ( 142 ) or the second engaging notch ( 143 ), then engages with the latching recess ( 22 ) ( 22 ′) of the latch ( 20 ) ( 20 ′) by the extension of the second resilient element ( 130 ) and the retaining spring ( 44 ) to hold the latch ( 20 ) ( 20 ′) securely in the housing ( 10 ). So, locking the padlock is timesaving and convenient. 
   Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.