Padlock having a lamellae-type preassembly lock body and an end lamella secured thereto

A padlock includes a preassembly lock body including a plurality of lamellae that are bound together by at least one preassembly rivet and that define a cylinder recess. At least one end lamella is attachable to the preassembly lock body and at least partially covers the cylinder recess. A rivet extends through the at least one end lamella and extends at least partially through the preassembly lock body to secure the at least one end lamella to the preassembly lock body.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to padlocks.

BACKGROUND

Padlocks typically include a lock body and a lockable shackle that is used to secure the padlock to a structure. Common structures include, but are not limited to, sheds, trunks, lockers and lock boxes. Such padlocks may be of the type having a lock body, which is formed by a plurality of lamellae bound together by rivets. Padlocks of this kind are advantageously inexpensive in production.

One type of padlock is a padlock having a key locking mechanism. This type of padlock includes advantages over other types of padlocks, a combination padlock, for example, because padlocks having a key locking mechanism do not require memorization of a combination. Instead, a key is used to unlock the padlock.

A particular kind of padlocks having a key locking mechanism is a so-called keyable padlock. Typically, keyable padlocks are shipped to a dealer (locksmith) in a semi-assembled state, having no locking mechanism or an unfinished locking mechanism. The semi-assembled padlocks are then keyed by the locksmith, i.e. the locksmith adds a locking mechanism or adapts the unfinished locking mechanism to a certain key or a certain key code in accordance with a customer's demand. For example, the end user often demands that the padlock be keyed in accordance with a certain key or a certain key code, as in the case of a re-order when the end user desires that the padlock can be opened by an existing key which also fits to other locks of this end user. Of course, the padlock could be keyed by the manufacturer in accordance with the end user's demands, but this expensive and time-consuming since small numbers of padlocks must be shipped to the individual locksmiths. Hence, it is desirable that the locksmith be enabled to key the padlock.

To this end, for example, a locking mechanism formed by a raw lock cylinder fixedly secured in the padlock can be adapted to a certain key by forcefully introducing this key into a core of the cylinder, e.g. using a hammer. Securing pins accommodated partly in an outer casing of the cylinder and partly in the core are sheared off thereby, so that the respective length of the securing pins is adapted to the specific key.

Such mechanical adaptation, however, is not very precise. The sheared off parts of the securing pins may cause undesirable friction between the core and the outer casing of the cylinder in subsequent use of the padlock. The life-time of the padlock is short.

It is also known to use an exchangeable lock cylinder, which is directly or indirectly secured to the lock body by means of a screw. This screw is accessible via a shackle passage provided in the lock body. The lock cylinder may therefore be exchanged as often as desired, and lock cylinders of high precision may be used. The exchangeable lock cylinder may be adapted to a certain key or a certain key code in accordance with a customer's demand by modifying the respective length of the individual securing pins of the lock cylinder. However, for many applications this arrangement is too expensive.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a padlock that includes a preassembly lock body including a plurality of lamellae that are bound together by at least one preassembly rivet and that define a cylinder recess. At least one end lamella is attachable to the preassembly lock body and at least partially covers the cylinder recess. At least one rivet extends through the at least one end lamella and extends at least partially through the preassembly lock body to secure the at least one end lamella to the preassembly lock body.

In other features, the at least one end lamella includes at least one recess that accommodates an exposed end of the at least one preassembly rivet. The rivet extends through the at least one recess of the at least one end lamella.

In another feature, an end of the rivet at least partially covers an exposed end of the at least one preassembly rivet.

In still other features, the preassembly lock body includes a passage defined therein, wherein the rivet extends into the passage. The passage extends only partially through the preassembly lock body.

In another feature, at least one of said plurality of lamellae has a recess portion, wherein said at least one rivet engages said recess portion.

In yet another feature, the padlock further includes a lock cylinder that is located within the cylinder recess and that is retained therein by the at least one end lamella.

In another feature, said at least one end lamella has a front side and a rear side, wherein said at least one end lamella further includes at least two recesses, wherein said preassembly lock body includes at least two passages defined therein, wherein at least two rivets extend through a respective one of said at least two recesses into a respective one of said at least two passages, wherein said at least two recesses are arranged such that they are in alignment with said at least two passages only if the rear side of said at least one end lamella faces said preassembly lock body.

The padlock of the present disclosure enables a locksmith, for example, to be provided with a partially assembled padlock. The locksmith may select a lock cylinder from a selection of pre-keyed lock cylinders or adapt a standard lock cylinder to a specific key by providing this standard lock cylinder with securing pins of corresponding length. In this manner, the locksmith may adapt the partially assembled padlock to a certain key or a certain key code, wherein the particular type of lock cylinder and key or key code can be selected based on the specific type of key an end customer desires. The locksmith inserts the selected or adapted lock cylinder into the preassembly lock body and completes the assembly of the padlock by securing the end lamella thereto. To this end, a common riveting process may be carried out by the locksmith or even by the end user in an easy and time-efficient manner. Since the preassembly lock body is formed by a plurality of lamellae that are bound together, provision may easily be made for allowing a rivet or several rivets to secure the end lamella to the preassembly lock body. A common riveting tool can be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, a padlock10is illustrated and includes a lock body12, a U-shaped shackle14, as well as a lock cylinder16and a lock actuator18that are secured within the lock body12. The lock body includes a preassembly lock body20and an end lamella22. The preassembly lock body20includes a plurality of lamellae24and a top lamella26. The lamellae22,24,26are metal plates which typically are formed by a punching or stamping process. The plurality of lamellae24of the preassembly lock body20defines a cylinder recess28and an actuator recess30, within which the lock cylinder16and lock actuator18are respectively located.

The plurality of lamellae24of the preassembly lock body20further define first and second passages32,34, within which respective first and second legs36,38of the shackle14are slidably disposed. The first and second legs36,38include respective notches40,42, which are selectively engaged by respective locking members44,46of the lock actuator18to inhibit axial movement of the shackle14in the direction A. The first leg36is shorter than the second leg38and may be withdrawn from the first passage32. The second leg38is slidably disposed within the second passage34but can not be withdrawn therefrom. More specifically, a blocking member48of one of the plurality of lamellae24extends into a blocking notch50defined within the second leg38. The blocking notch50defines the range of slidable movement of the second leg38within the second passage34and the blocking member48inhibits removal of the second leg38from the second passage34.

The lock cylinder16is operably engaged with the lock actuator18. A key (not shown) is insertable into a keyhole52of the lock cylinder16to enable rotation of a core of the lock cylinder16between a first position and a second position. In the first position, which is shown inFIG. 2, the lock cylinder16holds the lock actuator18in a locked condition. In the locked condition, the locking members44,46of the lock actuator18engage the notches40,42of the first and second legs36,38of the shackle14, thereby inhibiting axial movement of the shackle14in the direction A. In the second position, the lock cylinder16holds the lock actuator18in an unlocked condition. In the unlocked condition, the locking members44,46of the lock actuator18retreat from the notches40,42of the first and second legs36,38, enabling the shackle14to move in the direction A by a distance X defined by the blocking member48and the blocking notch50of the second leg38.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-6, the top lamella26and the plurality of lamellae24are secured adjacent to one another via four rivets60that extend through first passages62defined in the lamellae (seeFIGS. 2,3and6) to define the preassembly lock body20. The plurality of lamellae24also define two second passages64for securing the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20, as discussed in further detail below.

With particular reference toFIG. 4, the end lamella22includes a central key passage66, two recesses68which are disposed diagonally opposed to one another with respect to the central key passage66, and two elongated recesses70which are also disposed diagonally opposed to one another with respect to the central key passage66. The recesses68and elongated recesses70accommodate the ends of the rivets60that hold the preassembly lock body20together. More specifically, when the end lamella22is stacked adjacent to the preassembly lock body20, heads72of the rivets60seat within the recesses68and within arcuate portions74of the elongated recesses70, respectively (seeFIGS. 1,4and6). Two secondary rivets76extend through auxiliary portions78of the elongated recesses70and into the second passages64of the preassembly lock body20. The secondary rivets76secure the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20and partially cover the heads72of the respective rivets60, thereby protecting the heads72of the respective rivets60. The end lamella22sufficiently covers a portion of the cylinder recess28to prevent removal of the lock cylinder16.

Recess portions80at least one of the plurality of lamellae24within the preassembly lock body20allow the secondary rivets76to be reliably secured to the preassembly lock body20, wherein the respective secondary rivet76engages the associated recess portion80(seeFIG. 6). The secondary rivets76extend only through a part of the preassembly lock body20, and at the top side of the lock body12the second passages64are closed by the top lamella26. Therefore, the secondary rivets76are not accessible from the top side of the lock body12. Also, comparatively short rivets with respect to the length of the lock body12may be used as secondary rivets76, which allows a common riveting process and common riveting tools to be used for securing the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20.

The padlock10of the present disclosure can be provided to a customer or locksmith in a partially assembled condition for final assembly by the customer or locksmith. More specifically, a preassembly including the preassembly lock body20with the shackle14and the lock actuator18assembled therein can be provided to the customer or locksmith along with an end lamella22and secondary rivets76. The customer or locksmith can select a specific lock cylinder16from a selection of lock cylinders16, or he can adapt an unfinished lock cylinder to a certain key or a certain key code. Final assembly of the padlock10is achieved by the customer or locksmith by assembling the selected lock cylinder16into the cylinder recess28and securing the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20by means of the secondary rivets76, thereby securing the lock cylinder16within the cylinder recess28. A common riveting tool may be used for securing the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20.

As can be discerned from the respective front side view of the end lamella22according toFIGS. 1 and 4, the central key passage66formed in the end lamella22allows for a rotation of a key inserted into the keyhole52by about 60°. The key passage66is symmetrical with respect to a rotation of the end lamella22by 180°, but it is asymmetrical with respect to the front side and the rear side of the end lamella22. An upside-down arrangement of the end lamella22at the preassembly lock body20would block a key inserted into the keyhole52against rotation in the correct direction. Advantageously, since the elongated recesses70of the end lamella22are diagonally opposing each other with respect to the key passage66, the elongated recesses70are also asymmetrical with respect to an upside-down arrangement of the end lamella22. This asymmetric arrangement of the elongated recesses70therefore effectively prevents the user from inadvertently securing the end lamella22to the preassembly lock body20with the front side (instead of the rear side) facing the preassembly lock body20. Only in the correct arrangement of the end lamella22the auxiliary portions78of the elongated recesses70are in alignment with the second passages64, thereby allowing the secondary rivets76to be introduced into the second passages64.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.