Abstract:
A padlock is provided that may include a lock body and a hoop which is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the lock body. The lock body may include an inner housing, an outer housing and a latching mechanism for latching the hoop in the closed position. The inner housing may include a first insertion part and a second insertion part which may receive the latching mechanism to form a pre-installable module. The pre-installable module may be inserted between first and second shells of the outer housing in shape matched manner to place the padlock in a fully assembled condition.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/397,553 filed on Mar. 4, 2009, which claims the benefit and priority of German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 012 994.1, filed Mar. 7, 2008. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a padlock having a lock body and a hoop which is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the lock body, with the lock body having an outer housing and a latching mechanism in the outer housing for the latching of the hoop in the closed position. 
         [0003]    The hoop is non-releasably connected to the lock body in such a padlock. In the unlatched state, the hoop can, however, be moved between the open position and the closed position. In the closed position, the hoop and the lock body together form a closed loop, for example to secure two chain links to one another. The hoop can be latched in the closed position by means of the latching mechanism to prevent an unauthorized opening. The latching mechanism typically includes a lock cylinder which is rotatably actuated by means of a matching key. The latching mechanism can additionally include a driver and/or a latch. 
         [0004]    A particularly tamper-proof kind of such padlocks is represented by so-called ring hoop padlocks in which the hoop has the form of an open ring and is rotatably supported at the lock body around an actuation axis of the latching mechanism (in particular the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder). Such a ring hoop padlock is known from EP 0 872 615 B1 whose content is included in the disclosure content of the present application, in particular with respect to the structure and the general operation of such a ring hoop padlock, even if the lock cylinder of the padlock in accordance with the invention is not necessarily replaceable, as is described in EP 0 872 615 B1. 
         [0005]    It is known for a padlock of the explained kind to provide a front plate and a rear plate within the outer housing which are connected to one another to form a rigid arrangement via a plurality of riveted on pins, said arrangement in turn being welded to the outer housing at a plurality of points. This rigid arrangement allows the fastening of the further components of the padlock, in particular of the latching mechanism. The assembly of such a padlock is, however, undesirably complex and/or expensive. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to simplify the manufacture of a padlock of the explained kind. 
         [0007]    This object is satisfied by a padlock including a lock body that has an inner housing which is formed by a front insertion part and a rear insertion part which are inserted into the outer housing in shape matched manner and which accept the latching mechanism in at least partly shape matched manner, with the front insertion part and/or the rear insertion part forming a respective unitary, three-dimensionally structured part. 
         [0008]    The lock body of the padlock in accordance with the invention has an inner housing which is formed by a front insertion part and a rear insertion part. The front insertion part or the rear insertion part is made as a unitary, three-dimensionally structured part. These two parts are preferably each three-dimensionally structured. This means that the front insertion part or the rear insertion part is not only structured along its plane of extent with respect to its outline (for example in the form of a metal plate having a specific contour in an x direction and a y direction). The front insertion part or the rear insertion part rather also has a structure, i.e. a varying outline, along its thickness (z direction). The front insertion part or the rear insertion part is thus not a purely plate-like structure, but rather a three-dimensional body. The front insertion part or the rear insertion part is in this respect each made in one piece. This is possible in a simple manner in a technical production respect, for example, in that the front insertion part or the rear insertion part forms a casting part—in particular an injection molded part. An embodiment as a zinc die casting is particularly advantageous, for example. An embodiment of plastic is, however, also possible. 
         [0009]    The front insertion part and the rear insertion part, which together form the named inner housing, are inserted into the outer housing of the lock body in shape matched manner. The inner space of the outer housing is hereby substantially filled up by a three-dimensionally structured inner housing—to the extent that it is not take up by the hoop and the latching mechanism and is also not needed for the respective movement path of the moving parts of the lock. The latching mechanism of the lock is inserted into this inner housing—that is into the front insertion part and the rear insertion part, with the front insertion part and the rear insertion part surrounding the latching mechanism in partly or even fully shape matched manner. The latching mechanism is hereby fixed in a precise location in the lock body as soon as the outer housing is also finally installed. 
         [0010]    The inner housing is—as explained—in two parts. It is hereby possible to insert the respective parts of the latching mechanism and optionally of the hoop into the inner housing. The two parts of the inner housing (front insertion part and rear insertion part), the latching mechanism and in particular also the hoop thus form a pre-installable unit, with the individual components of this unit not necessarily having to be permanently fastened to one another. The final fixing of the different components of the named unit relative to one another can rather only take place by the final installation of the outer housing, for example by welding a front shell and a rear shell of the outer housing to one another, i.e. the components of the named pre-installable unit are captured in shape matched manner in the outer housing by the final installation of the outer housing. 
         [0011]    An advantageously simple manufacture of the padlock hereby results. Fewer fastening steps are in particular necessary. For example, no connection pins have to be riveted to fix individual plates of the inner housing to one another. It is also not necessary to weld different parts of the inner housing and of the outer housing to one another or to fix them to one another non-releasably in another manner. Due to the three-dimensionally structured design of the inner housing, it is namely possible to realize a reliable shape matching between the inner housing and the latching mechanism and also between the inner housing and the outer housing so that a clearance-free fit is also achieved without welding or other fastening measures. A self-centering of the inner housing can even be achieved by corresponding mold inclinations so that ultimately a higher fit precision is achieved than with a permanent connection between the inner housing and the outer housing (for example by welding) which does not allow any subsequent correction of the relevant positions. 
         [0012]    An even higher tamper-proofing can also be achieved by the three-dimensionally structured inner housing since the latching mechanism cannot only be surrounded by the outer housing, but rather also practically at all sides by the inner housing. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the front insertion part has at least one rear side section and the rear insertion part has at least one front side section, said sections contacting one another areally. The inner housing—despite the two-part embodiment—hereby has a particularly stable structure even if the front insertion part and the rear insertion part are not permanently connected to one another (for example by riveting or by welding). The handling of the front insertion part and of the rear insertion part is hereby also simplified on the manufacture of the lock and in particular on formation of a pre-installed assembly which also already includes the latching mechanism. 
         [0014]    It is also particularly advantageous with respect to the installation of the padlock if the front insertion part and the rear insertion part are connected to one another in shape matched manner. Pre-installation steps can namely hereby be carried out without it being necessary to connect the front insertion part and the rear insertion part non-releasably to one another by additional measures (e.g. by riveting or welding). A shape matching of the two named parts of the inner housing is also of advantage with respect to a possible attempt to break open since a displacement of the front insertion part and of the rear insertion part relative to one another is prevented. 
         [0015]    Such a shape match between the front insertion part and the rear insertion part can be realized in a particularly simple and effective manner if the front insertion part has at least one rear engagement projection which engages into a front-side engagement mount of the rear insertion part. A cam which engages into a recess of the rear insertion part made in complementary manner can, for example, be formed at the front insertion part. 
         [0016]    Alternatively or additionally, the rear insertion part can have at least one front-side engagement projection which engages into a rear-side engagement mount of the front insertion part in order hereby to establish the explained shape matching between the front insertion part and the rear insertion part. 
         [0017]    It is furthermore preferred if the front insertion part and the rear insertion part are inserted loosely into the outer housing. As already explained above, no additional installation steps are thus necessary to fix the inner housing relative to the outer housing. 
         [0018]    To ensure a fit of the inner housing in the outer housing which is as free of clearance as possible, it is preferred if the outer housing has a front wall section (e.g. front shell) and a rear wall section (e.g. back shell), with the front insertion part and the rear insertion part together having a thickness which corresponds to the clear spacing between the front wall section and the rear wall section of the outer housing. 
         [0019]    To achieve a clearance-free fit of the inner housing in the outer housing without additional fastening measures, it is furthermore of advantage if the named front wall section of the outer housing has a recess into which the front insertion part engages in shape matched manner and if the named rear wall section of the outer housing has a recess into which the rear insertion part engages in shape matched manner. The inner housing can hereby be fixed in a lateral direction relative to the outer housing, with simultaneously a centering being able to be achieved if suitable centering chamfers are formed at the named recesses. 
         [0020]    In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the named inner housing that is the front insertion part together with the rear insertion part—form a guide passage for the movable hoop of the padlock. The inner housing can alternatively also form such a guide passage together with the outer housing. In both cases, a smooth and clearance-free movement of the hoop is achieved in a simple manner. Since the inner housing is—as explained—composed of two parts, the inner housing can surround the hoop along a relatively large peripheral region of the hoop cross-section so that an areal contact is ensured between the inner housing and the hoop, whereby the movement of the hoop can be guided particularly easily. 
         [0021]    The latching mechanism of the padlock can have a lock cylinder. It is particularly advantageous if this lock cylinder is surrounded partly or completely peripherally by the front insertion part and/or by the rear insertion part of the inner housing. The lock cylinder is hereby fixed rotationally fixedly and is simultaneously protected with respect to manipulation attempts from the side. 
         [0022]    The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawings and to an embodiment. This embodiment relates to a ring hoop padlock in which the invention provides to be particularly advantageous, in particular with respect to a simple installation. The invention, however, also relates to other kinds of padlocks, for example to padlocks with a substantially U-shaped hoop which is linearly movable, pivotable or rotatable. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a ring hoop padlock with a removed front shell of the outer housing and a removed front insertion part of the inner housing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the padlock with a removed outer housing; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a respective perspective front view of the lock with a removed front shell and a removed front insertion part and of the front insertion part; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show a respective perspective view of the lock with a removed rear shell of the outer housing and with an additionally removed rear insertion part of the inner housing; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5   a,    5   b  and  5   c  show the front insertion part of the inner housing in a perspective front view, a perspective rear view and a rear view respectively; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6   a,    6   b  and  6   c  show the rear insertion part of the inner housing in a perspective front view, a perspective rear view and a front view respectively; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the rear shell of the outer housing in a perspective front view or the front shell of the outer housing in a perspective rear view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The padlock shown in the Figures has a lock body  11  and a hoop  13  which has the shape of an open ring. The hoop  13  is rotatably supported at the lock body  11 , and indeed with respect to an axis of rotation A ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) which simultaneously forms the axis of actuation of a latching mechanism explained in the following. The hoop  13  can thus be rotated between an open position and a closed position ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a,    4   a  and  4   b ). 
         [0031]    The lock body  11  has an outer housing which is formed by a front shell  15  ( FIG. 7   b ) and a rear shell  17  ( FIG. 7   a ) which are welded to one another along their respective outer peripheries in the finally installed state of the padlock. 
         [0032]    The hoop  13 , an inner housing  19  and a latching mechanism  21  are received in this outer housing. 
         [0033]    The inner housing  19  includes a front insertion part  23  ( FIGS. 3   b,    5   a,    5   b  and  5   c ) and a rear insertion part  25  ( FIGS. 4   a,    6   a,    6   b  and  6   c ). The latching mechanism  21  is received in the inner housing  19  and it includes a lock cylinder  27 , a drive disk  29  and a securing latch  31  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3   a  and  4   b ). 
         [0034]    The lock cylinder  27  has a cylinder housing  33  with a web section  35  ( FIG. 3   a ). A cylinder core  37  is rotatably supported in the cylinder housing  33 . The cylinder core  37  has a connection appendage  39  at the rear side which has the shape of a circle segment ( FIG. 4   b ). The connection appendage  39  of the cylinder core  37  engages into a circular cylinder core mount  41  of the rear insertion part  25  and is hereby rotatably supported at the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 4   a ). The cylinder housing  33  is inserted in shape matched manner into a cylinder housing mount  43  of the front insertion part  23  of the inner housing  19 , with the front insertion part  23  completely peripherally surrounding the cylinder housing  33 . The cylinder housing  33  is hereby rotationally fixedly secured to the front insertion part  23  ( FIGS. 3   a,    3   b  and  4   b ). 
         [0035]    The cylinder core  37  is rotationally fixedly coupled to the drive disk  29  via the connection appendage  39  ( FIG. 4   b ). The drive disk  39  extends between the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  of the inner housing  19 , with a corresponding contact surface  45  being formed at the rear insertion part  25  in the vicinity of the cylinder core mount  41  ( FIGS. 3   a,    6   b,    6   c ). A driver finger  47  is formed at the drive disk  29  and engages into a drive cut-out  49  of the hoop  13  ( FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). A cam track  51  is furthermore formed at the drive disk  29 . 
         [0036]    The cam track  51  cooperates with an actuation appendage  53  of the securing latch  31  ( FIGS. 1 and 4   b ). The securing latch  31  is rotatably supported at a pin section  55  which is made in one piece at the rear insertion part  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3   a,    6   a  and  6   c ). The securing latch  31  has a blocking tongue  57  which engages into a securing recess  59  of the hoop  13  in the closed position of the hoop  13  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3   a  and  4   b ). The securing latch  31  is biased by means of a spring  61  in the direction of a blocking position which is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3   a  and  4   b.  In this blocking position, the blocking tongue  57  of the securing latch  31  simultaneously contacts an abutment section  63  which is formed in one piece at the rear insertion part  25  of the inner housing  19  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3   a,    6   a  and  6   c ). 
         [0037]    A reinforcement plate  67  which serves as protection against sawing ( FIG. 3   b ) is inserted in shape matched manner into a recess  65  at the front side of the front insertion part  23  of the inner housing  19  ( FIG. 5   a ). 
         [0038]    The padlock shown in the Figures serves in a manner known per se for the securing of two objects (for example two chain links) to one another or for the blocking of an object (for example of a chain link guided through an eye). For this purpose, the front shell  15  and the rear shell  17  of the outer housing form a substantially U-shaped mounting space  71  through which the hoop  13  passes if it is located in the closed position in accordance with  FIGS. 1 ,  3   a,    4   a  and  4   b.  If an attempt is made in this closed position to bring the hoop  13  forcibly into the open position (that is to rotate it clockwise with respect to the representation in accordance with  FIG. 1 ), the associated boundary surface of the securing cut-out  59  of the hoop  13  abuts the blocking tongue  57  of the securing latch  31  which is in turn supported at the abutment section  63  of the rear insertion part  25  of the inner housing  19  ( FIGS. 1 and 3   a ). 
         [0039]    The authorized user can, however, rotate the hoop  13  into the open position in that the cylinder core  37  of the lock cylinder  27  is rotated clockwise (again with respect to the representation in accordance with  FIG. 1 ) by means of an associated key. The drive disk  29  hereby also carries out a corresponding rotational movement, with the cam track  51  of the drive disk  29  cooperating with the actuation appendage  53  initially effecting a rotational movement of the securing latch  31  against the spring bias and thus counter clockwise (again with respect to the representation in accordance with  FIG. 1 ). The blocking tongue  57  of the securing latch  31  is hereby pivoted out of the movement path of the hoop  13 . The further rotational movement of the cylinder core  37  and of the drive disk  29  has the result that the driver finger  47  of the drive disk  29  engages at the associated boundary surface of the drive cut-out  49  of the hoop  13  ( FIG. 4   b ) and hereby effects the desired rotational movement of the hoop  13  around the axis A. The hoop  13  is thus pulled back out of the mounting space  71 . The closing of the shown padlock takes place in reverse order. 
         [0040]    A special feature of the shown padlock comprises the two-part inner housing  19  which is inserted in shape matched manner into the outer housing (front shell  15  and rear shell  17 ) and which receives the latching mechanism (lock cylinder  27  and securing latch  31  in shape matched manner, with the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  of the inner housing  19  each being made as a unitary, three-dimensionally structured part. 
         [0041]    The front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  are only loosely connected to one another and together nevertheless form a stable assembly. 
         [0042]    For this purpose, the rear side of the front insertion part  23  ( FIG. 5   b ) and the front side of the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 6   a ) contact one another areally. The front insertion part  23  has a first connection surface  73  at the rear side and a second connection surface  75  which is elevated with respect to the first connection surface  73  ( FIG. 5   b ). The first connection surface  73  of the front insertion part  23  cooperates with a first connection surface  77  of the rear insertion part  25  at least region-wise. The second connection surface  75  of the front insertion part  23  cooperates at least region-wise with a second connection surface  79  of the rear insertion part  25  which is set back with respect to the first connection surface  77  of the rear insertion part  25  and which includes the aforesaid contact surface  45  for the drive disk  29  ( FIG. 6   a ). Due to this areal contact of the front insertion part  23  and of the rear insertion part  25 , the inner housing  19  forms a stable arrangement, in particular also in event of an attempted breaking open. 
         [0043]    In addition, a shape matching is provided between the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25 . This shape matching is achieved, on the one hand, in that the aforesaid connection surfaces  73 ,  77 , on the one hand, and connection surfaces  75 ,  79 , on the other hand, are located at different levels (that is extend along different normal planes to the axis A), with the extent of the transition between the first connection surface  73  and the second connection surface  23  corresponding to the extent of the transition between the first connection surface  77  and the second connection surface  79  of the rear insertion part  25 . On the other hand, a plurality of engagement projections  81  are formed at the rear side of the front insertion part  23  ( FIG. 5   b ) which engage into associated engagement mounts  83  at the front side of the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 6   a ). Conversely, the pin section  55  of the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 6   a ) also engages into an associated engagement mount  85  which is formed at the rear side of the front insertion part  23  ( FIG. 5   b ). 
         [0044]    Due to this shape matching between the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25 , these two parts of the inner housing  19  cannot be offset relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis A as long as the inner housing  19  is captured in the outer housing (front shell  15  and rear shell  17 ). 
         [0045]    Shape matching is also realized between the inner housing  19  and the outer housing. It is hereby possible that the inner housing  19  is only inserted loosely into the outer housing (front shell  15  and rear shell  17 ) and in this respect an exactly fitting and clearance-free fit is nevertheless ensured. For this purpose, the front shell  15  ( FIG. 7   b ) has a first recess  87  at which a second recess  89  is formed. The front insertion part  23  ( FIG. 5   a ) has an outline at its front side which corresponds to the outline of the first recess  87  of the front shell  15 . In addition, an elevated portion  91  is formed at the front side of the front insertion part  23  and engages in shape matched manner into the second recess  89  of the front shell  15 . 
         [0046]    In a corresponding manner, the rear shell  17  has a first recess  93  at which a second recess  95  is formed. The contour of the rear side of the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 6   b ) corresponds to the contour of the named first recess  93  of the rear shell  17  so that the explained shape matching is hereby effected. In addition, the rear insertion part  25  has an elevated portion  97  at its rear side which engages in shape matched manner into the named second recess  95  of the rear shell  17 . 
         [0047]    As can in particular be seen with respect to the elevated portions  91 ,  91  of the front insertion part  23  ( FIG. 5   a ) or of the rear insertion part  25  ( FIG. 6   b,  centering chamfers are realized for the explained shape matching which effect a self-centering of the inner housing  19  with respect to the front shell  15  or to the rear shell  17 . The formation of such centering chamfers can be effected without problem since—as explained—the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  are three-dimensionally structured parts. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, it must still be pointed out that the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  of the inner housing  19  form a guide passage  99  for the rotatable hoop  13  together with the front shell  15  and the rear shell  17  of the outer housing ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In this respect, the hoop  13  contacts the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  substantially areally at the radially inner side so that the hoop is guided securely and a canting or jamming of the hoop  13  in the lock body  11  is reliably avoided. 
         [0049]    A particular advantage of the shown padlock is the simple manufacture. The front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25  can in particular be produced by injection molding as unitary, three-dimensionally structured parts, for example as robust zinc die castings. Due to the two-part structure of the inner housing  19 , it is possible to receive parts of the latching mechanism  21  (in particular parts of the lock cylinder  27  or of the securing latch  31 ) in shape matched manner in the inner housing  19  and thus to hold them securely captured in the inner housing  19 , in particular also during the further installation process. It is also not necessary to fasten additional connection devices to the inner housing  19 . Due to the mutual shape matching between the front insertion part  23  and the rear insertion part  25 , a simple and reliable handling is possible, with the inner housing  19  forming a pre-installable assembly. Due to the shape matching between the inner housing  19  and the front shell  15  and the rear shell  17  of the outer housing, it is in turn possible to dispense with a separate fastening of the inner housing  19  relative to the outer housing. It is also sufficient with respect to the reinforcement plate  67  if it is inserted loosely into the associated recess  65  of the front insertion part  23  since the reinforcement plate  67  is captured at the front insertion part  23  on the final installation of the padlock (connection of the front shell  15  to the rear shell  17 ). 
         [0050]    Finally, all the components of the inner housing  19  and of the latching mechanism  21  can be secured to one another in that the front shell  15  and the rear shell  17  of the outer housing are permanently connected to one another, for example by welding. 
       REFERENCE A NUMERAL LIST 
       [0051]      11  lock body 
         [0052]      13  hoop 
         [0053]      15  front shell 
         [0054]      17  rear shell 
         [0055]      19  inner housing 
         [0056]      21  latching mechanism 
         [0057]      23  front insertion part 
         [0058]      25  rear insertion part 
         [0059]      27  lock cylinder 
         [0060]      29  drive plate 
         [0061]      31  securing latch 
         [0062]      33  cylinder housing 
         [0063]      35  web section 
         [0064]      37  cylinder core 
         [0065]      39  connection appendage 
         [0066]      41  cylinder core mount 
         [0067]      43  cylinder housing mount 
         [0068]      45  contact surface 
         [0069]      47  driver finger 
         [0070]      49  drive cut-out 
         [0071]      51  cam track 
         [0072]      53  actuation appendage 
         [0073]      55  pin section 
         [0074]      57  blocking tongue 
         [0075]      59  securing cut-out 
         [0076]      61  spring 
         [0077]      63  abutment section 
         [0078]      65  recess 
         [0079]      67  reinforcement plate 
         [0080]      71  mounting space 
         [0081]      73  first connection surface 
         [0082]      75  second connection surface 
         [0083]      77  first connection surface 
         [0084]      79  second connection surface 
         [0085]      81  engagement projection 
         [0086]      83  engagement mount 
         [0087]      85  engagement mount 
         [0088]      87  first recess 
         [0089]      89  second recess 
         [0090]      91  elevated portion 
         [0091]      93  first recess 
         [0092]      95  second recess 
         [0093]      97  elevated portion 
         [0094]      99  guide passage