Abstract:
A lock includes a housing, a locking mechanism and an indicator. The locking mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a first module and a second module both configured to lock or unlock the lock. The indicator is able to move from an original position to an indicative position outside the housing in response to operation of the first module. However, when being located in the indicative position, the indicator is unresponsive to the operation of the first module.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/272,709, filed on Nov. 15, 2005, now pending, which is based upon and claims the priority benefit of Taiwan Application Serial No. 093218813, filed on Nov. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a dual-lock type padlock, and more particularly to a dual-lock type padlock having a double reminding function. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A conventional padlock in accordance with the prior art was disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,345 and comprises a housing, a shackle, a number lock module, a key lock module, and an indicator. The shackle is movably mounted on the housing. The housing has a window for exposing the indicator which presents a first color in the window. When the key lock module is unlocked, the indicator presents a second color in the window so as to remind the user that the key lock module has been unlocked. When the number lock module is unlocked, the indicator is reset to present the first color in the window. However, the indicator occupies the inner space of the housing, and the window of the housing is too small. In addition, the user has to see the second color in the window so as to understand if the key lock module has been unlocked, so that such a padlock is not available for the blind people, thereby limiting the versatility of the padlock. 
         [0006]    Another conventional padlock in accordance with the prior art was disclosed in the U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0088256A1 and comprises a shackle  14 , a shackle sleeve  96 , and a housing to lock an article. However, such a padlock only includes a number lock module without providing a key lock module. In addition, such a padlock is not provided with an indicator. 
         [0007]    The closest prior art references of which the applicant is aware are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,597,560, 4,751,830 and 6,539,761, each comprising a housing and a shackle to lock an article. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional padlocks. 
         [0009]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a dual-lock type padlock having a double reminding function. 
         [0010]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a dual-lock type padlock, wherein the padlock is provided with a limit knob whose movement is controlled by a locking mechanism, so that when the limit knob is moved to an opened position, the shackle is rotated to be detached from the limit knob. 
         [0011]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a dual-lock type padlock, wherein the indicator is movably mounted on an outer face of the housing or the catch member which is formed with a first mark and a second mark in the corresponding positions, so that the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by inspecting the position of the first mark or the second mark, and can also feel the position of the indicator by touching the indicator so as to judge if the padlock has been unlocked, thereby facilitating the blind people operating the padlock. 
         [0012]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dual-lock type lock, comprising: 
         [0013]    a lock body that is opened by either one of a key and a code; 
         [0014]    an indicator movably mounted on the lock body, wherein: 
         [0015]    when the lock body is opened by the key, the indicator is changed from a first position to a second position; 
         [0016]    the indicator is returned from the second position to the first position only when the lock body is opened by the code; 
         [0017]    the lock body has an outer face formed with a first mark and a second mark; 
         [0018]    when the indicator is disposed in the first position, the first mark is exposed outward and the second mark is covered by the indicator; 
         [0019]    when the indicator is disposed in the second position, the second mark is exposed outward and the first mark is covered by the indicator. 
         [0020]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dual-lock type lock, comprising: 
         [0021]    a housing; 
         [0022]    a catch member including a limit knob and a base portion extended from the limit knob to form a movable connection with the housing, the base portion of the catch member has an exposed section located between the limit knob and the housing; 
         [0023]    a shackle including a root section to form a movable connection with the housing, and a free section having a first end extended from the root section and a second end extended into the limit knob; 
         [0024]    a locking mechanism mounted in the housing and including: 
         [0025]    a number lock module connected with the root section of the shackle and arranged to allow rotation of the root section of the shackle, wherein when the number lock module is disposed at an unlocked state, the number lock module allows the shackle to move with displacement of the root section; and 
         [0026]    a key lock module connected with the base portion of the catch member and driven by a specified key which is rotated to drive the base portion of the catch member so as to control movement of the catch member; and 
         [0027]    an indicator movably mounted on an outer face of the exposed section, wherein when the free section of the shackle is rotatable, the indicator is changed from a first position to a second position, and the indicator is returned from the second position to the first position only when the number lock module is disposed at the unlocked state. 
         [0028]    Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan cross-sectional view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a front plan cross-sectional view of a dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8A  is a side plan cross-sectional view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8B  is a top plan cross-sectional view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9A  is a top plan view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a catch member and an indicator of the dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 13  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 15  is a schematic operational view of the dual-lock type padlock as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]    Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1 , a dual-lock type padlock having a double reminding function in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing  1 , a catch member  2 , a shackle  3 , a locking mechanism, and an indicator  6 . 
         [0051]    The catch member  2  includes a limit knob  20  and a base portion  21  extended from the bottom face of the limit knob  20  into the housing  1  to form a movable connection with the housing  1 . 
         [0052]    The shackle  3  includes a root section  30  extended into the housing  1  to form a movable connection with the housing  1 , and a free section  31  having a first end extended from the root section  30  and a second end extended into the limit knob  20 , thereby forming a closed zone  32  therebetween. 
         [0053]    The locking mechanism is mounted in the housing  1  and includes a number lock module  4  and a key lock module  5 . 
         [0054]    The number lock module  4  is connected with the root section  30  of the shackle  3  and arranged to allow rotation of the root section  30  of the shackle  3 . In addition, when the number lock module  4  is disposed at the unlocked state (the code is correct), the number lock module  4  allows the shackle  3  to move with displacement of the root section  30 . 
         [0055]    The key lock module  5  is connected with the base portion  21  of the catch member  2  and driven by a specified key which is rotated to drive the base portion  21  of the catch member  2  so as to control movement of the catch member  2 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the limit knob  20  of the catch member  2  has a receiving recess  23  having a first opening  230  located at the top face of the limit knob  20  and a second opening  231  located at the side face of the limit knob  20 . The base portion  21  of the catch member  2  has an exposed section  22  located between the limit knob  20  and the housing  1 . The indicator  6  is movably mounted on an outer face of the exposed section  22 . When the free section  31  of the shackle  3  is rotated to be detached from the limit knob  20 , the indicator  6  is changed from a first position (or original position) to a second position (or indicative position). In addition, the indicator  6  is returned from the second position to the first position only when the number lock module  4  is disposed at the unlocked state. The housing  1  has a recessed space  11  to receive the limit knob  20  and the indicator  6 . The space  11  has a height at least equal to that of the limit knob  20  so that the second opening  231  of the limit knob  20  will not expose from the housing  1  to prevent a person from driving the limit knob  20  through the second opening  231  of the limit knob  20 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  3 A, the exposed section  22  has a surface formed with a first mark  220  and a second mark  221  and has a side formed with a slideway  24  extended into the second opening  231  of the limit knob  20  and having two positioning grooves  240 . The indicator  6  has a side formed with a slide  60  and an elastic hook  61 . The slide  60  is slidable in the slideway  24  and has a top formed with a tapered face  600  inclined toward the second opening  231  of the limit knob  20  to be pushed by the end portion of the free section  31  of the shackle  3 . The elastic hook  61  is hooked in one of the two positioning grooves  240 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the slide  60  has a locking groove  62  having a bottom face formed with a tapered guide face  620  inclined downward. 
         [0059]    The number lock module  4  includes a number wheel unit  40 , a locking member  41 , and a limit member  42 . The number wheel unit  40  has a retractable shaft  400 . The locking member  41  has a limit channel  410  and has a first side formed with a protruding latch  411  that can be locked in the locking groove  62 . The protruding latch  411  has a bottom face formed with an oblique face  412  corresponding to the guide face  620 . The locking member  41  has a second side provided with an elastic member  413  located opposite to the protruding latch  411  and urged on the housing  1 . The limit member  42  is mounted on the root section  30  of the shackle  3 . When the number wheel unit  40  is disposed at the locked state to lock the shackle  3 , the limit member  42  is confined in the limit channel  410  by limit of the root section  30  of the shackle  3 , so that the locking member  41  is not movable. When the number wheel unit  40  is disposed at the unlocked state to unlock the shackle  3 , the limit member  42  is allowed to be detached from the limit channel  410  by upward push of the retractable shaft  400 , so that the locking member  41  is movable freely. 
         [0060]    The key lock module  5  includes a lock core  50  secured in the housing  1 , and a spindle  51  extended through the lock core  50 . The spindle  51  has an end formed with a control portion  52  protruding from the lock core  50  and engaged with the base portion  21  of the catch member  2 . 
         [0061]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the key lock module  5  is not rotated by a specified key, wherein the indicator  6  is located in the first position, while the protruding latch  411  of the locking member  41  is rested on the bottom of the slide  60  of the indicator  6 , so that the indicator  6  cannot be moved downward. At this time, the first mark  220  is exposed outward and the second mark  221  is covered by the indicator  6 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A and  5 , the key lock module  5  is rotated by a specified key to drive the base portion  21  which rotates the limit knob  20  of the catch member  2  to reach an opened position, so that the free section  31  of the shackle  3  is allowed to be rotated in order to enter into or depart from the receiving recess  23 . When the limit knob  20  is rotated to reach the opened position, the indicator  6  is rotated with the limit knob  20  to detach the locking groove  62  of the indicator  6  from the protruding latch  411  of the locking member  41 . The free section  31  of the shackle  3  can then be rotated to depart from the receiving recess  23 . Rotation of the free section  31  of the shackle  3  enables the bottom end of the free section  31  to be moved to push the tapered face  600  of the slide  60  and have the indicator  6  move downward, so that the elastic hook  61  is hooked in the lower positioning groove  240 . At this time, the second mark  221  is exposed outward and the first mark  220  is covered by the indicator  6 , so that the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by a specified key by exposure of the second mark  221 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the limit knob  20  of the catch member  2  is rotated reversely by the key lock module  5  to move from the opened position to a closed position, the locking groove  62  of the indicator  6  is locked by the protruding latch  411  of the locking member  41 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the number wheel unit  40  is disposed at the unlocked state to unlock the shackle  3  and the shackle  3  is lifted to detach the free section  31  of the shackle  3  from the receiving recess  23 , the limit member  42  is moved and pushed by the retractable shaft  400  to be detached from the limit channel  410 , so that the locking member  41  is movable freely. Then, when the indicator  6  is pushed upward, the oblique face  412  of the protruding latch  411  slides on the guide face  620  of the locking groove  62 , so that the locking member  41  is moved sideward until the indicator  6  is returned to the first position where the first mark  220  is exposed outward. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , a dual-lock type padlock having a double reminding function in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first preferred embodiment, wherein the difference is in that the elastic hook  61  is hooked outward, and the housing  1  has a passage  10  corresponding to the elastic hook  61  at the locked state. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  8 A and  8 B, when the indicator  6  is pushed downward to expose the second mark  221 , the elastic hook  61  is hooked on the housing  1 . 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9A , when the limit knob  20  is rotated reversely by the key lock module  5  to move from the opened position to the closed position, the elastic hook  61  is aligned with the passage  10  of the housing  1 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the number wheel unit  40  is disposed at the unlocked state and the indicator  6  is pushed upward, the elastic hook  61  is expanded through the passage  10  of the housing  1 . 
         [0069]    In conclusion, the catch member  2  is provided with an indicator  6 . When the limit knob  20  is rotated to the opened position, the indicator  6  is released. The indicator  6  is not moved when the indicator  6  is not subjected to a force. On the contrary, when the free section  31  of the shackle  3  is removed from the receiving recess  23 , the free section  31  of the shackle  3  pushes the indicator  6  from a first position (or original position) to a second position (or indicative position) to expose the second mark  221  outside the housing  1 , so that the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by a specified key by exposure of the second mark  221 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 11  shows a catch member  2   a  and an indicator  6   a  of a dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the catch member  2  and the indicator  6  of the first and second embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the catch member  2   a  includes a limit knob  20   a  and a base portion  21   a  extended from the bottom face of the limit knob  20   a.  The indicator  6   a  also has a side formed with a slide  60   a  with a tapered face  600   a.  Additionally, the slide  60   a  further has an inclined face  601  oppositely connected with the tapered face  600   a  of the slider  60   a.  In the third preferred embodiment, the tapered face  600   a  and the inclined face  601  are provided for assisting the indicator  6   a  in position precisely. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a first mark  220  and a second mark  221  of the third embodiment are adhesively attached to the catch. member  2   a  or are clipped to the catch member  2   a.    
         [0071]      FIGS. 12-13  further show a dual-lock type padlock in accordance with the fourth preferred embodiment. Similarly to the foregoing embodiments, the dual-lock type padlock comprises a housing  1   b,  a catch member  2   b,  a shackle  3   b,  a locking mechanism, and an indicator  6   b.  The catch member  2   b  includes a limit knob  20   b,  which has a receiving recess having a first opening located at the top face of the limit knob  20   b  and a second opening located at the side face of the limit knob  20   b,  similarly to the limit knobs of the above embodiments. Additionally, the indicator  6   b  has a block  63  pivoted elastically on the indicator  6   b  and facing to the second opening of the limit knob  20   b.  The block  63  has a top formed with a tapered face  630  inclined away from the second opening of the limit knob  20   b.  Differently to the above preferred embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , the indicator  6   b  is disposed in the second position only after the tapered face  630  of the block  63  is pushed by a free section  31   b  of the shackle  3   b.  More specifically, the block  63  blocks the second opening of the limit knob  20   b  when the indicator  6   b  is disposed in the first position. After the catch member  2   b  is moved by the locking mechanism, namely the key lock module as described in above embodiments, the free section  31   b  of the shackle  3   b  is capable of rotating away from the limit knob  20   b  by pushing the pivoted block  63 , which is elastically returnable to its original position. Subsequently, when the free section  31   b  of the shackle  3   b  is moved back to the limit knob  20   b,  the free section  31   b  of the shackle  3   b  pushes the tapered face  630  of the returned block  63 , and the indicator  6   b  is accordingly moved downwardly and disposed in the second position. Furthermore, the indicator  6   b  could be returned from the second position to the first position only when a number lock module of the locking mechanism is at the unlocked state. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a dual-lock type padlock having a double reminding function in accordance with the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first preferred embodiment, wherein the difference is in that an indicator  6   c  is movably mounted on an outer face of the housing  1   c.  When the padlock is unlocked by a specified key, the indicator  6   c  is changed from a first position to a second position. In addition, the indicator  6   c  is returned from the second position to the first position only when the number lock module is disposed at the unlocked state. The housing  1   c  is formed with a first mark  10   c  and a second mark  11   c.  When the indicator  6   c  is disposed in the first position, the first mark  10   c  is exposed outward and the second mark  11   c  is covered by the indicator  6   c.  When the indicator  6   c  is disposed in the second position, the second mark  11   c  is exposed outward and the first mark  10   c  is covered by the indicator  6   c . Thus, the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by inspecting movement of the indicator  6   c.  In addition, the first mark  10   c  and the second mark  11   c  are selected from either one of the group including character, figures, colors and signals. 
         [0073]    Accordingly, the padlock is provided with a limit knob whose movement is controlled by a locking mechanism, so that when the limit knob is moved to an opened position, the shackle is rotated to detach from the limit knob. In addition, the indicator is movably mounted on an outer face of the housing or the catch member which is formed with a first mark and a second mark in the corresponding positions, so that the user can judge if the padlock has been unlocked by inspecting the position of the first mark or the second mark, and can also feel the position of the indicator by touching the indicator so as to judge if the padlock has been unlocked, thereby facilitating the blind people operating the padlock. 
         [0074]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.