Abstract:
A lock includes a casing, an indicator movably received in the casing between a first position and a second position and a core received in the casing and so configured in such a way that a private key and a general key are able to activate the core. The movement of the indicator from the first position to the second position is in response to a status where the general key is applied to activate the core.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a lock, and more particularly to a lock having a core capable of being activated/deactivated by a private key and a general key and having an indicator to indicate the application of the private key or the general key respectively. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    A lock is provided with a latch controllably and operably by the mechanism of the lock core. That is, when the lock core of the lock is in a locked position, the latch is secured to the casing of the lock and when the lock core is in the open position, the latch is freely movable relative to the casing. However, this conventional lock has no ability to indicate whether the core has been tampered with by an authorized or unauthorized personnel (normally the unauthorized personnel). In order to show who has accessed to the lock, U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,521 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,345 both provide mechanism to indicate different status in response to the activation method applied to the core of the lock structure so that the subsequent user of the lock may have the information of who had used the lock before him/her. 
         [0005]    However, there is a disadvantage in the lock structure mentioned in the above patents. That is, the user has to memorize the combination in order to activate the lock core mechanism. Furthermore, the lock structure is incapable of indicating whether any unauthorized personnel has ever attempting to activate the lock core. 
         [0006]    To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved lock structure to mitigate the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved lock having a core capable of being activated/deactivated by a private key and a general key so that the user of the lock structure of the present invention is no longer required to memorize the combination as used in the conventional lock. 
         [0008]    Another objective of the present invention is that the lock structure of the present invention is provided with an indicator capable of showing whether the lock has been tampered with by unauthorized personnel. 
         [0009]    Still another objective of the present invention is that the lock structure is provided with a latch seat firmly connected to the core and rotatably mounted on the casing of the lock so as to limit movement of the latch. Therefore, only when the core of the lock of the present invention is activated, is the latch seat rotated to limit or release the latch. 
         [0010]    In order to accomplish the aforementioned objectives, the lock structure of the present invention includes a casing, a core rotatably received inside the casing, a latch seat firmly connected to the core so as to rotate simultaneously with the core and an indicator movably received in the casing between a first position where a private key is applied and a second position where a general key is applied and the indicator further including a clamp stamped from a periphery of the indicator to be received in a clamp hole in the latch seat such that after the indicator is moved upward to the second position, the clamp is received in the clamp hole of the latch seat to maintain the indicator in position. 
         [0011]    Other objects, 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 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the lock structure of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing that a private key is applied to activate the core of the lock structure of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing that a general key is applied to activate the core of the lock structure of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing parts of the lock of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lock showing the keyhole of the core; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side plan view showing the application of a private key, wherein an extension from the indicator is free from engagement with the private key; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side plan view showing the application of a general key, wherein the extension from the indicator is engaged with the general key; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the application of the private key to activate the core of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic side plan view showing that the clamp of the indicator is received in the clamp hole in the latch seat; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a schematic side plan view showing that the indicator is returned to its original position as a result of a recoil force after the clamp is pushed from the clamp hole; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13 A and  13 B are schematic side plan views showing different embodiments of the core structure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the casing of the lock; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing a different embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , it is noted that the lock structure  1  in accordance with the present invention includes a casing  20 , a latch retaining member  21 , a core  40  rotatably received in the casing  20 , an indicator  10  movably received in the casing  20 , the latch retaining member  21  including a latch seat  22  firmly connected to the core  40  to simultaneously rotate with the core  40  and rotatably mounted on top of the casing  20  and a latch  30  one end of which is securely received in the casing  20  and the other end of which is alternately received in the latch seat  22 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is to be noted that the core  40  of the present invention is adapted for a private key  2  and a general key  3 . That is, both the private key  2  and the general key  3  are able to activate the core  40  to drive the latch seat  22  to rotate so as to release a limitation to a free end of the latch  30 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , it is noted that the indicator  10  is composed of a first zone  11 , such as a first annular ring  11 , a second zone  12 , such as a second annular ring  12  integrally formed with the first annular ring  11 , an extension  13  extending from a bottom face of the second annular ring  12 , a clamp  14  stamped out of an outer periphery of the first annular ring  11  and having a first beveled face  140  formed on a top face of the clamp  14  and a recess  15  defined in a top face thereof to receive therein a resilient element  50 , preferably a spring as indicated. In the present invention, the first and second zones can be distinguished by applying different colors thereon, such as red and green. 
         [0030]    The latch seat  22  is a cylinder with a compartment  23  defined in a lower portion thereof and provided with a guide pole  230  formed on a bottom face defining the compartment  23  so as to have the resilient element  50  mounted therearound, a window  24  defined in an outer periphery thereof to communicate with the compartment  23 , a receiving recess  25  defined in a top face thereof and composed of a first opening  250  axially defined in a top face of the latch seat  22  and a second opening  251  defined in a side face of the latch seat  22  to communicate with the first opening  250 , a receiving space  26  defined in a face defining an opening of the compartment  23  so as to communicate with the compartment  23  and a clamp hole  27  defined in the outer periphery thereof and positioned below the receiving recess  25 . The clamp hole  27  corresponds to the clamp  14  of the indicator  10  so as to alternately receive the clamp  14  after the indicator  10  is moved upward relative to the casing  20 . In addition, a boss  270  is formed on an inner periphery defining the compartment  23  and has a second beveled face  271  formed thereon to correspond to the first beveled face  140  of the clamp  14  of the indicator  10 . 
         [0031]    The latch  30  is composed of a root  31  which is securely and rotatably received inside the casing and a free end  32  extending out of the casing  20  to be alternately received and retained in the receiving recess  25 . 
         [0032]    The core  40  has a hollow cylinder  41  securely received in the casing  20 , a drive shaft  42  rotatably received in the hollow cylinder  41 , a head  43  firmly received in the receiving space  26  of the latch seat  22  to allow the latch seat  220  to rotate simultaneously with the core  40 , a keyhole  44  defined in a lower portion of the hollow cylinder  41  and an extension hole  45  defined in the head  43  to correspond to and receive therein the extension  13  of the indicator  10 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  and still taking  FIG. 1  for comparison, it is noted that after the above mentioned components are assembled, the head  43  of the core  40  is securely and firmly received in the receiving space  26  and the indicator  10  is received in the compartment  23  of the latch seat  22  with the extension  13  extending into the extension hole  45  of the core  40 . Then the resilient element  50  is mounted around the guide pole  230  and received in the recess  15 . Thus it is noted that when the private key  2  is inserted into the keyhole  44  of the core, the private key  2  is able to rotate the drive shaft  42 . Consequently the latch seat  22  is rotated due to the head  43  being firmly received in the receiving space  26  so that the free end  32  of the latch  30  is retained or released by a peripheral wall of the casing  20 . 
         [0034]    Furthermore, when the private key  2  is inserted into the keyhole  44  of the core, the length of the private key  2  can not reach the free end of the extension  13  of the indicator  10  such that the indicator  10  is retained in position in the compartment  23  where the first annular ring  11  is exposed from the window  24 . However, when the general key  3  is inserted into the keyhole  44  of the core  40 , because the length of the general key  3  is longer than that of the private key  2 , the distal end of the general key  3  engages with and pushes the free end of the extension  13  to move upward in the compartment  23 , where the second annular ring  12  is then exposed from the window  24  to indicate that except the user of the private key  2 , the person with the general key  3  has also activated the lock of the present invention. When an unauthorized personnel with an elongated tool is trying to unlock the lock of the present invention, the elongated tool will also push the free end of the extension  13  to show the second annular ring  12  from the window  24  such that the owner of the lock is able to find out that there is some unidentified personnel trying to tamper with the lock of the present invention. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 , it is noted that after the general key  3  is inserted into the keyhole  44  of the core  40 , the indicator  10  is pushed to move upward inside the latch seat  22  so that the second annular ring  12  is shown from the window  24 . While the indicator  10  is moved upward, the first beveled face  140  of the clamp  14  that is stamped out from the outer periphery of the indicator  10  is first abutted by the second beveled face  271  of the boss  270  so as to move closer to the first annular ring  11 . After the clamp  14  reaches the clamp hole  27 , the clamp  14  springs out and is received in the clamp hole  27 . During the upward movement of the indicator  10 , the resilient element  50  is compressed to store a recoil force therein. To release the recoil force in the resilient element  50 , the operator may use an auxiliary tool (not shown) to push the clamp  14  back into the compartment  23 , then the indicator  10  is forced by the resilient element  50  to move back to its original position, where the first annular ring  11  is again exposed from the window  24 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the cylinder  41  defines therein four first slots  410  and the drive shaft  42  of the core  40  has four second slots  420  respectively aligned with and communicating with the first slots  410 . Inside the first slots  410 , a combination of a pushing spring  46  and a first rod  47  is selectively received therein. Inside each of the second slots  420 , a second rod  48  is selectively received therein to correspond to one of the first rod  47  that is received in the designated first slot  420 . From the depiction of  FIG. 11 , it is noted that the first slot  410  and the first second slot  420  on the left of the drawing are not equipped with the combination of the pushing spring  46 , the first rod  47  and the second rod  48 . In accordance with this arrangement, the private key  2  is provided with indentations  2   a  formed on a peripheral edge thereof to correspond to the second rods  48  received in the second, third and fourth second slots  420  so that the private key  20  is able to drive the drive shaft  42  to rotate. In the present invention, the pushing spring  46 , the first rod  47  and the second rod  48  are served as a controlling unit to control the rotation of the drive shaft  42 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , it is noted that the second first slot  410  and the second slot  420  are not provided with the combination of the pushing spring  46 , the first rod  47  and the second rod  48 . In accordance with this arrangement, the private key  2  is provided with first indentations  2   a  formed on a peripheral edge thereof to correspond to the second rods  48  received in the second, third and fourth second slots  420  so that the private key  2  is able to drive the drive shaft  42  to rotate. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , it is noted that the general key  3  is provided with second indentations  3   a  formed on a peripheral edge thereof to correspond to the second rods  48  which are received in the second, third and fourth second slots  420  so that the general key  3  is able to drive the drive shaft  42  to rotate, as shown in  13 A. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13B , the second indentations  3   a  on the general key  3  are aligned with the second rods  48  in the first, third and fourth second slots  420  so that the general key  3  is able to drive the drive shaft  42  to rotate. 
         [0039]    After the description, it is to be noted that whether the private key  2  or the general key  3  is employed to activate the core  40 , both the private key  2  and the general key  3  are provided with indentations  2   a ,  3   a  to correspond to and align with the second rods  48 . The design of the core  40  depends on which first slot  410  as well as the corresponding one of the second slots  420  is not equipped with the pushing spring  46 , the first rod  47  and the second rod  48 . Therefore, there are multiple choices for the structure of the core  40  of the present invention. As a result, if an unidentified key with indentations not corresponding to the empty second slots, the key will push the second rod  48  will be pushed out of a peripheral wall of the drive shaft  42 , which hinders the rotation of the drive shaft  42  and the core  40  is not activated. Consequently, each private key  2  may only be used to activate a specific core  40 . However, the general key  30  is designed to push all of the second rods  48  no matter how the arrangement of the second rods  48  is located in the second slots  420 . 
         [0040]    Although the above embodiment shows that the drive shaft  42  of the core  40  is provided with four sets of first slots  410  and four sets of second slots  420 , the quantity of the slots  410 , 420  is not limited only to the embodiment. Similar design of the drive shaft  42  may be easily completed to allow each private key  2  may only be used to activate a specific core  40  and the general key  30  may be used to activate all the core  40 . 
         [0041]    In application, the private key  2  is owned by a private user and the general key  3  is owned by the custom personnel. Therefore, when the second annular ring  12  is exposed from the window  24 , the private user will be able to know that the lock of the present invention was opened by the custom personnel. 
         [0042]    Other embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  may also use the concept of the core  40  and the indicator  10  of the present invention. For example, the embodiment in  FIG. 14  shows a lock  6   a  without the latch seat of the present invention, but a core  40   a  and an indicator  10   a  inside the casing  20   a.    
         [0043]    The lock structure  6   b  shown in  FIG. 15 , does not have the latch seat  22  and the latch  30  though, the plug  30   b  is substantially the same as that of the latch  30  and the socket latch member  21   b  is provided for connecting to the plug  30   b  is substantially the same as that of the latch seat  22 . In this embodiment, the lock structure  6   b  has a core  40   b  and in indicator  10   b  received in the casing  20   b,  which function substantially the same as those in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    The lock structure  6   c  shown in  FIG. 16 , does not have the latch seat  22  and the latch  30  though, the zipper plate  30   c  is substantially the same as that of the latch  30  and the clamping element  21   c  for connection to the zipper plate  30   c  is substantially the same as that of the latch seat  22 . In this embodiment, the lock structure  6   c  has a core  40   c  and in indicator  10   c  received in the casing  20   c , which function substantially the same as those in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0045]    The lock structure  6   d  shown in  FIG. 17 , does not have the latch seat  22  and the latch  30  though, the hook  30   d  is substantially the same as that of the latch  30  and the clamping element  21   d  for connection to the hook  30   d  is substantially the same as that of the latch seat  22 . In this embodiment, the lock structure  6   d  has a core  40   d  and in indicator  10   d  received in the casing  20   d,  which function substantially the same as those in the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    It is to be understood, however, that 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, and 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.