Abstract:
A locking device for cooperation with a separate shackle-less padlock for locking two separate adjacent objects or immobilizing relative movement between the objects. The device comprises a hasp assembly comprising at least one hasp element for securing to at least one of the objects, provided with at least one integral shackle pin designed to be engaged in a locked position with the padlock, so that the padlock serves to prevent disengagement of the objects or to immobilize relative motion between the objects Other embodiments are presented where the hasp assembly is provided with an integral locking mechanism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to locking apparatus generally and more particularly to one or more hasps, shackles and padlocks used for locking one or more swinging or sliding doors, gates, blinds, or other objects.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Hasps and padlocks are used as locking solutions for fastening doors and similar objects, such as gates. Examples of objects that can be locked by such solutions include a door to a doorway, two swinging or sliding doors to each other, window blinds to the window frame, container doors to the container wall, and so forth.  
         [0003]     In these applications the hasp is implemented in sections. At least one section is mounted on each object to be locked. For example, one part of a hasp could be mounted on a door and the other part on the adjacent part of the doorway. Mounting means can be screws, rivets, welds, and other fastening methods. An example of a prior art hasp and padlock are shown in  FIG. 1  and comprise first hasp section  20 , second hasp section  22 , shackle  24 , lock  26 , and mounting holes  28 .  
         [0004]     Each hasp section has at least one channel through which a shackle can be passed. The shackle comprises depending legs, with each leg passing through a different hasp section and a lock attached to the ends of the legs to complete the locking of the objects.  
         [0005]     Prior art hasps are not appropriate for all needs, particularly applications where objects slide parallel to one another or swing adjacent to one another.  
         [0006]     It would be desirable to provide a hasp that can accommodate various applications involving objects that slide parallel, or swing adjacently, to one another.  
         [0007]     In addition to connecting a shackle and lock to an object, a hasp can also protect the shackle and lock. Such protective hasps are comprised of sturdy material, such as stainless steel, and provide recesses in which most or all of the shackle and lock are protected by the hasp.  FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of a prior art protective hasp.  FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of a prior art protective hasp further illustrating a recess  30  for the hasp and a recess  32  for the lock.  FIG. 2C  is a view of a locked prior art protective hasp and padlock showing the recessed hasp  24  and padlock  26 .  
         [0008]     An example of a prior art protective hasp as described above is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,058, awarded to Bahry, et al, (1985) and entitled “Protective Hasps for a Padlock”.  
         [0009]     Prior art protective hasps can be difficult to use. The design makes it difficult to insert and remove the shackle. Also the shackle can be lost when not in use. Also, the lock can only be installed from the bottom. Also, only one lock can be used at a time. Also, the design of the mating shackle sections, while contributing to the vertical locking strength, does not contribute to the lateral locking strength. Also no means are provided for storing the lock when not in use.  
         [0010]     It would be desirable to provide a protective hasp where the shackle element is integrated into the hasp sections, lock, or both. This would eliminate problems related to inserting and removing the shackle and related to keeping track of the shackle when not in use.  
         [0011]     It would also be desirable to enable insertion of the lock from another direction besides the bottom of the shackle sections or insertion of multiple locks.  
         [0012]     It would also be desirable for the mating surfaces of the shackle sections to contribute to the lateral locking strength.  
         [0013]     It would also be desirable to provide a protective hasp with storage means for storing the lock when not in use.  
         [0014]     Another problem with prior art hasps, shackles, and locks is that they are difficult to align for locking.  
         [0015]     It would also be desirable to provide a hasp, shackle, and lock that are easy to align for locking.  
         [0016]     Another problem with prior art hasps is that they require shackles and locks, both of which are difficult to apply and can be easily mislaid.  
         [0017]     It would therefore also be desirable to provide a hasp that also functions as a lock, thereby removing the need for a separate lock and separate shackle.  
         [0018]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the present specification and reviewing the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     There is thus provided, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a locking device for cooperation with a separate shackle-less padlock for locking two separate adjacent objects or immobilizing relative movement between the objects, the device comprising a hasp assembly comprising at least one hasp element for securing to at least one of the objects, provided with at least one integral shackle pin designed to be engaged in a locked position with the padlock, so that the padlock serves to prevent disengagement of the objects or to immobilize relative motion between the objects.  
         [0020]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, two shackle pins are provided on one hasp element.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device is further provided with the padlock, the padlock provided with engagement means for engaging with the hasp assembly or for engaging with either of the objects or all of them.  
         [0022]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the engagement means comprises detachable engagement means.  
         [0023]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the engagement means comprises at least one protruding pin.  
         [0024]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one hasp element includes at least one bore through which the protruding pin may be passed and further protrude.  
         [0025]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hasp element is provided with protection walls for protecting the padlock when the padlock is locked.  
         [0026]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device is further provided with at least one additional shackle pin protruding from an external surface of the hasp assembly for engaging the padlock when not in use.  
         [0027]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hasp assembly comprises two hasp elements, each hasp element for securing to an object, and wherein at least one of the hasp elements is provided with an integral shackle pin for locking to the pad lock.  
         [0028]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hasp assembly comprises two hasp elements, each hasp element for securing to an object, and wherein each of the hasp elements is provided with an integral shackle pin for locking to the pad lock.  
         [0029]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least one space is defined within the hasp assembly into which said at least one integral shackle pin protrudes, the space designed to accept at least partially the shackle-less padlock.  
         [0030]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, two spaces are defined within the hasp assembly, wherein into each of the spaces at least one shackle pin protrudes, each of the spaces designed to accept at least partially a shackle-less padlock.  
         [0031]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the space is shaped to match the shape of the padlock, for enhancing gripping between the hasp elements.  
         [0032]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one shackle pin is coupled to said hasp assembly in a manner that allows relative freedom of motion between the hasp assembly and the shackle pin.  
         [0033]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the two hasp elements are designed to be intertwined.  
         [0034]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the two hasp elements are designed to grip each other, when intertwined.  
         [0035]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hasp assembly is provided with a cavity into which a pin of the shackle-less padlock may be inserted.  
         [0036]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one integral shackle pin is detachable from the hasp assembly.  
         [0037]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a locking device for locking two separate adjacent objects or immobilizing relative movement between the objects, the device comprising a hasp assembly comprising two hasp elements to be secured, to either of the objects, the hasp assembly provided with at least one protruding element on one hasp element and a matching cavity on the other hasp element, and an integral locking mechanism, whereby when the hasp elements are brought together they intertwine and grip each other in a locked position, preventing disengagement of the two hasp elements along at least two substantially perpendicular axes, and the locking mechanism is used to lock the hasp elements and prevent disengagement.  
         [0038]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hasp assembly is provided with a plurality of protruding elements on one hasp element and a plurality of matching cavities on the other hasp element.  
         [0039]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one protruding element has a shape that is wider on a distal end and narrower on a proximal end, and wherein the matching cavity has a complementary opposite shape.  
         [0040]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, said at least one protruding element is in the shape of a wedge.  
         [0041]     Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism is located in one of the hasp elements and comprising a protrusion, while the other hasp element comprises a cavity for receiving the protrusion of the locking mechanism in a locked position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0042]     The invention is described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which like components are designated by like reference numerals.  
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is a section view of a prior art hasp and padlock.  
         [0044]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of a prior art protective hasp and padlock.  
         [0045]      FIG. 2B  is the view of  FIG. 2  showing the recesses for the hasp and padlock in dashed lines.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2C  is a view of a locked prior art protective hasp and padlock showing the recessed hasp and padlock in dashed lines.  
         [0047]      FIG. 3  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated flexible-mounted shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated flexible-mounted shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6A  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6B  is a section view of the protective hasp and lock of  FIG. 5A  in a locked state.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated flexible-mounted shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0053]      FIG. 8  is a section view of a protective hasp with an integrated alternative flexible-mounted shackle pin and an integrated fixed shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]      FIG. 9  is a section view of a protective hasp retrofitted with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]      FIG. 10  is a section view of a protective hasp fitted with removable shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]      FIG. 11  is a section view of a protective hasp fitted with an integrated shackle pin and a removable shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0057]      FIG. 12  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with lock storage means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with means for using multiple locks in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0060]      FIG. 15A  is a section view of a protective hasp and lock with integrated wide-head lock-shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0061]      FIG. 15B  is a section view of the protective hasp and lock of with the lock inserted into the hasp.  
         [0062]      FIG. 15C  is a section view of the protective hasp and lock of with the lock locked into the hasp.  
         [0063]      FIG. 16A  is a front elevation view of a protective hasp with alternative shackle means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0064]      FIG. 16B  is a top section view of the protective hasp of  FIG. 16A .  
         [0065]      FIG. 16C  is an elevation view of a lock for the protective hasp of  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B .  
         [0066]      FIG. 16D  is a top view of the lock from  FIG. 16C  in a locked state.  
         [0067]      FIG. 16E  is a top view of the lock from  FIG. 16C  in an unlocked state.  
         [0068]      FIG. 17  is a top section view of a protective hasp and lock with alternative shackle means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0069]      FIG. 18A  is a section view of a protective hasp with a hinged shackle pin and a fixed shackle in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0070]      FIG. 18B  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18A .  
         [0071]      FIG. 19  is a section view of a protective hasp with an extended shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0072]      FIG. 20A  is a front elevation view of a protective hasp with shackle means for front locking in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0073]      FIG. 20B  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20A .  
         [0074]      FIG. 21A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pin and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0075]      FIG. 21B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0076]      FIG. 22A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pin and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0077]      FIG. 22B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pins and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0078]      FIG. 23A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0079]      FIG. 23B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0080]      FIG. 23C  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0081]      FIG. 23D  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0082]      FIG. 24A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking a swinging object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0083]      FIG. 24B  is a top view of a lock with integrated lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0084]      FIG. 24C  is a top view of a lock with integrated shaped lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0085]      FIG. 24D  is a bottom view of a lock with integrated shaped lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0086]      FIG. 25A  is a side section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0087]      FIG. 25B  is a front section view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 25A .  FIG. 26  is an elevation view of a protective hasp in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0088]      FIG. 27  is a section view of a protective hasp with wedge-toothed abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0089]      FIG. 28  is a section view of a protective hasp with wedge-toothed abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0090]      FIG. 29A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with integrated lock in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0091]      FIG. 29B  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 29A  protective hasp, illustrating the two hasp sections locked together.  
         [0092]      FIG. 30A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with parallelograms interlocking abutting walls of hasp sections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0093]      FIG. 30B  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with alternatingly-oriented parallelograms interlocking abutting walls of hasp sections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0094]      FIG. 31A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls of circular projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0095]      FIG. 31B  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls of elliptical projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0096]      FIG. 32  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls with jointed projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0097]      FIG. 33A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls with unequal jointed projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0098]      FIG. 33B  is a cross-section view of the hasp of  FIG. 33A  along the line delineated (A-A) in  FIG. 33A  of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls with unequal jointed projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0099]     The present invention provides an improved hasp, shackle, and lock. In the invention the shackle is integrated into the hasp sections, lock, or both. This eliminates problems related to inserting and removing the shackle and related to keeping track of the shackle when not in use. The shackle legs are implemented in the present inventions as projections of the hasp section, lock, or both and are referred to herein as shackle pins.  
         [0100]     The invention also provides means for increasing lateral locking strength, means for installing the lock from the side, means for installing more than one lock, means for storing a lock when not in use, means for using a single hasp section to lock a swinging or sliding object, means for facilitating alignment of hasp sections, and means for integrated locking functions into hasp sections whereby neither a separate lock nor a separate shackle is required.  
         [0101]      FIG. 3  is a section view of a hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each hasp section  20  and  22  comprises a projecting shackle pin  40 , which acts as a shackle leg. Also shown are hasp mounting bores  23  through which fastening means, such as screws, rivets, or welds can mount each hasp section to an element to be locked, such as a door and a door frame. It will be noted that mounting bores  23  are a common means in the art for mounting hasps and are therefore used in this specification—however there are many other means for mounting hasps that are known to one skilled in the art, for example welding, and these could equally be used.  
         [0102]      FIG. 4  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each hasp section  20  and  22  comprises a shackle pin  40  projecting into lock recess  32 . The embodiment can be used with a shackle-less padlock  26 , which accepts shackle pins  40  into its receptacles  42  intended for prior art shackle  24  legs.  
         [0103]      FIG. 5  is a section view of a protective hasp with flexible integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Flexible-mounted shackle pins  40 A provide play when they are inserted into lock  26 , thereby making insertion easier. The flexible mounting can be accomplished in many ways known to those skilled in the art. In the Figure, flexible-mounted shackle pins  40  comprise a widened head  44  that is retained in channel  48  by narrowing  46 . Shackle pin  40  is subjected to force of backing spring  50  and both are retained by channel plug  52 .  
         [0104]      FIG. 6A  is a section view of a protective hasp and lock with integrated shackle and lock-shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, one shackle pin  40  is integrated into hasp section  20  while another shackle pin is integrated into lock  26  (referred to herein as lock-shackle pin  56  to differentiate it from shackle pin  40 ). Lock-shackle pin  56  is a projection of lock  26  that mates into a pin recess  54  in hasp section  22 .  
         [0105]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  in a locked state with lock shackle pin  56  retained in pin recess  54  and shackle pin  40  held by lock  26 .  
         [0106]      FIG. 7  is a section view of a protective hasp and lock with integrated flexible-mounted shackle pin and lock-shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Thus this embodiment functions like the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  with the added advantage that flexible-mounted shackle pin  40 A provides play during insertion into lock  26 .  
         [0107]      FIG. 8  is a section view of a protective hasp with an integrated alternative flexible-mounted shackle pin and an integrated fixed shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Alternative flexible-mounted shackle pin  40 B comprises a widened head  62  that is retained in channel  60 .  
         [0108]      FIG. 9  is a section view of a protective hasp retrofitted with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Retro-fit shackle pin  40 C enables conversion of a prior art shackle section to operate in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Retro-fit shackle pin  40 C comprises a pin  66  that fits into the existing shackle channel and extends down to provide a shackle pin as has been described in accordance with the present invention. Retro-fit shackle pin  40 C is retained in place with a fastening means, such as retaining screw  64  which passes through retaining-screw bore  70 , which can be a dedicated bore or can be a mounting bore of shackle section  20  or  22 .  
         [0109]      FIG. 10  is a section view of a protective hasp fitted with removable shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Removable shackle pins  40 D is installed fastening means, such as by threading into threaded bore  72  in shackle channel of hasp sections  20  and  22 . When removable shackle pin  40 D is installed, hasps sections  20  and  22  function according to the principles of the present invention. When removable shackle pin  40 D is removed, hasps sections  20  and  22  function according to the principles of prior art, receiving prior art shackle  80 .  
         [0110]      FIG. 11  is a section view of a protective hasp fitted with an integrated shackle pin and a removable shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a hasp section  20  with removable shackle pin  40 D installed and a hasp section  22  with an integrated shackle pin  40 .  
         [0111]      FIG. 12  is a section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment both shackle pins  40  are on hasp section  22  and lock recess  32  is built across hasp sections  20  and  22 , whereby lock  26  can be installed from the side, rather than from the bottom as in the embodiments described earlier.  
         [0112]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with lock storage means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The lock storage means comprises removable lock pegs  86  installed in lock peg holes  88 . When lock  26  is not in use, it can be locked onto pegs  86  and thereby stored. During storage the lock does not hold the hasp sections  20  and  22  together, it simply hangs to the side. Lock peg holes  88  can be arranged on various sides of hasp sections  20  and  22 , such that lock pegs  86  can be installed on whichever side is most convenient.  
         [0113]      FIG. 14  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with means for using multiple locks in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp sections  20  and  22  are elongated so accept locks  26  at both the top and bottom.  
         [0114]      FIG. 15A  is a section view of a protective hasp and lock with integrated wide-head lock-shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, pin recess  54  has a widened distal end  92  and wide-head lock-shackle pin  56  has a widened head  90 .  
         [0115]      FIG. 15B  shows lock  26  in an unlocked state inserted into hasp sections  20  and  22  per this embodiment.  
         [0116]      FIG. 15C  shows lock  26  in a locked state. Wide-head lock-shackle pin  56  is connected to lock  26 &#39;s bore, such that when the bore is turned (locking action), wide-head lock-shackle pin  56  is turned a half revolution, whereby widened head  90  is oriented such that it fills widened recess end  92 , thereby locking wide-head lock-shackle pin  56  into recess end  92 .  
         [0117]      FIG. 16A  is a front elevation view of a protective hasp with alternative shackle means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Sides of lock recess  32  (shown in dashed line) comprise alternative shackle recesses  96 . The principle of this embodiment is that a retractable protrusion mates with complementary recess to perform the locking of hasp sections  20  and  22 . In the Figure, this locking mechanism is illustrated as concave shackle recesses  96  in hasp sections  20  and  22  receiving convex shackle protuberances  98  from lock  26 . Optionally other concave-convex shape pairs can used. For example, cone recesses and protuberances.  
         [0118]      FIG. 16B  is a top section view of the protective hasp of  FIG. 16A .  
         [0119]      FIG. 16C  is a front elevation view of a lock for the protective hasp of  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B . Lock  26  comprises convex lock protuberances  98  that are shaped to complement concave hasp recesses  96 .  
         [0120]      FIG. 16D  is a top view of lock  26  from  FIG. 16C . Protuberance extender  100  is an elongated element mechanically connected to the plug of lock  26  and comprising cams adjacent to each concave lock protuberance  98 . When the plug is turned to lock, it turns protuberance extender  100 , whose cams push the adjacent lock protuberance  98  into the corresponding concave hasp recess  96 , thereby locking hasp sections  20  and  22  together.  
         [0121]     When the plug is turned to unlock, it turns protuberance extender  100  in the opposite direction, removing the cams from lock protuberances  98 , thereby allowing the lock protuberances to come back into the body of lock  26  when it is removed from hasp sections  20  and  22  ( FIG. 16E ).  
         [0122]      FIG. 17  is a top section view of a protective hasp and lock with alternative shackle means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here lock recess is wedge shaped in each hasp section  20  and  22  and lock  26  is also wedge shaped such that the wedge shape of lock  26  contributes to the strength of the locking of the hasp sections.  
         [0123]      FIG. 18A  is a section view of a protective hasp with a hinged shackle pin and a fixed shackle in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hinged shackle pin  40 E is pivotally connected via hinge  102  to hasp section  20 . When pivoted down, hinged shackle pin  40 E functions as a shackle pin. When pivoted up (shown in the drawing with a dashed line), hinged shackle pin  40 E provides a surface on which lock  26  can be locked for storage.  
         [0124]      FIG. 18B  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18A .  
         [0125]      FIG. 19  is a section view of a protective hasp with an extended shackle pin in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Extended shackle pin  40 F features a widening  104  at its distal end. Lock  26  can be locked to widening  104  for storage when not in use.  
         [0126]      FIG. 20A  is a front elevation view of a protective hasp with shackle means for front locking in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Lock recess  32  and shackle pins  40  are located on the front of hasp sections  20  and  22  such that lock  26  can be inserted into the front of the hasp sections.  FIG. 20B  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20A  with lock recess  32  and shackle pin  40  indicated with a dashed line.  
         [0127]      FIG. 21A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pin and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted through mounting bores  23  to a first object  110 , such that shackle pin  40  extends perpendicular to the mounting base of hasp  21  and is received by lock into shackle leg receptacle  42  (indicated with a dashed line), which can be a dedicated receptacle or that used for a prior art shackle leg. Lock  26  is locked in place using a locking means such as a key and thereby blocks lateral movement of second object  112  in the direction of shackle pin  40 .  
         [0128]      FIG. 21B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates that more than one perpendicular shackle pin  40  and mating receptacle  42  combination can be used.  
         [0129]      FIG. 22A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pin and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted to a first object  110 , such that shackle pin  40  extends parallel to the mounting plane of hasp  21  and is received into lock  26  shackle leg receptacle  42 . Lock  26  is locked in place using a locking means such as a key and thereby blocks movement of a second object perpendicular to shackle pin  40 .  
         [0130]      FIG. 22B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pins and lock for locking a sliding object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates that more than one perpendicular shackle pin  40  and mating receptacle  42  combination can be used.  
         [0131]      FIG. 23A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted to a first object  110 , such that shackle pin  40  extends perpendicular to the mounting base of hasp  21  and is received by lock into shackle leg receptacle  42 . Lock  26  further comprises lock-shackle pin  56 , which extends through second object bore  114  and first object bore  116 , thereby locking second object  112  to first object  110 . It will be noted that second object  112  can be above or below first object  110 —both possibilities are illustrated in the Figure.  
         [0132]      FIG. 23B  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pin and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted to a first object  110 , such that shackle pin  40  extends parallel to the mounting plane of hasp  21  and is received into lock  26  shackle leg receptacle  42 . Lock  26  further comprises lock-shackle pin  56 , which extends through second object bore  114 , thereby preventing lateral movement of second object  112 .  
         [0133]      FIG. 23C  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted to a first object  110 , such that shackle pins  40  extend perpendicular to the mounting base of hasp  21  and are received by lock into shackle leg receptacles  42 . Lock  26  further comprises lock-shackle pin  56 , which extends through hasp bore  118 , second object bore  114 , and first object bore  116 , thereby locking second object  112  to first object  110 .  
         [0134]      FIG. 23D  is a top view of a hasp with integrated parallel shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking sliding objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  is mounted to a first object  110 , such that shackle pins  40  extend parallel to the mounting plane of hasp  21  and are received into lock  26  shackle leg receptacle  42 . Lock  26  further comprises lock-shackle pin  56 , which extends through hasp bore  118  and second object bore  114 , thereby preventing lateral movement of second object  112 .  
         [0135]      FIG. 24A  is a top view of a hasp with integrated perpendicular shackle pins and lock with integrated lock-shackle pin for locking a swinging object in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  and lock  26  are similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 23B . Lock  26  further comprises lock engagement means  56 , which projects above the top surface of second object  112 , thereby preventing upward swinging motion of second object  112  relative to first object  110 .  
         [0136]      FIG. 24B  is a top view of a lock with integrated lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  (not shown) and lock  26  are similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 26A  with lock  26  further comprising an additional lock-engagement means  56 , whereby the lock can prevent upward swinging motion of two second objects  112  (not shown), one by each lock-shackle pin  56 .  
         [0137]      FIG. 24C  is a top view of a lock with integrated shaped lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  (not shown) and lock  26  are similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 26B  with lock-engagement means  56 A having a shaped head  120 , an example of the head shape being an elongation perpendicular to pin stem  122 . Second objects  112  (not shown) include head sockets shaped to receive heads  120 , thereby improving the fit of lock-engagement means  56 A to the second object surface.  
         [0138]      FIG. 24D  is a bottom view of a lock with integrated shaped lock-shackle pins for locking swinging objects in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  (not shown) and lock  26  are similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 26C  with lock-shackle pins  56 A included on each of the four sides of lock  26 , whereby the lock can prevent upward swinging motion of four second objects  112  (not shown), one by each lock-engagement means  56 A.  
         [0139]      FIG. 25A  is a side section view and  FIG. 25B  is a front section view of a protective hasp with integrated shackle pins in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp  21  comprises a protective shell  126  encasing shackle pins  40  to form a reinforced lock recess  32  that protects lock  26  when the lock is in use. Protective shell  126  can be implemented as covering one, two, three, or all four sides of lock.  
         [0140]      FIG. 26  is an elevation view of a protective hasp in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp sections  20  and  22  are provided with rounded upper sections  20 A and  22 A, thereby making them easier to hold and align as well as more pleasing aesthetically.  
         [0141]      FIG. 27  is a section view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The vertical abutting walls of hasp sections  20  and  22  are provided with interlocking profiles  82  and  84  respectively.  
         [0142]     The principle of this design is presented in more simple form in  FIG. 28 , which is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Hasp sections  20  and  22  comprise abutment surfaces  82  and  84  respectively. Abutment surfaces  82  and  84  are characterized in that there is at least one male projection  132  in one of the abutment surfaces with a complementary female recess  130  in the other abutment surface such that the male projection  132  can be slid into the female recess  130  by aligning one hasp section behind the other such that the contour of each male projection  132  is aligned with the inner perimeter of each complementary female recess  130 . At that point, the rear hasp section can be brought forward until the two hasp sections are coplanar, thereby intertwining and gripping the hasp sections along abutment surfaces  82  and  84 . This creates a fixed connection (locks) the hasp sections along the two coplanar dimensions (laterally). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 28 , male projection  132  is a wedge shaped extension while female recess  130  is a wedge shaped recess.  
         [0143]     This innovative connection has at least two advantages: it makes it easier to align the two hasp sections, even allowing the use of just one hand for this purpose, and it makes it possible to integrate a simple locking element in the hasp sections, thereby eliminating the need for a shackle or for a lock.  
         [0144]      FIG. 29A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with integrated lock in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment utilizes the wedge-toothed abutting walls described earlier, thereby achieving coplanar locking of the hasp sections. Locking in the third dimension (perpendicular to the plane of the hasp sections) is easily accomplished with many types of simple locking means. For example, in the Figure, integrated lock  144  comprises basic key-operated cylinder  140 , which turns tongue  142  from a stored position (shown with dashed line) to an engaged (locking) position in which the tongue extends into tongue recess  138  or the adjacent hasp section  22 . It will clear to one skilled in the art that the locking mechanism can be located in either hasp section or spread across both of the them and that many locking means can be used.  
         [0145]      FIG. 29B  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 29A  protective hasp, illustrating the two hasp sections locked together.  
         [0146]      FIG. 30A  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the profile of along abutment surfaces  82  and  84  comprise parallelogram-shaped pairs of male projections  132  and complementary female recesses  130 .  
         [0147]      FIG. 30B  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the profiles of male projections  132  along abutment surface  84  comprise parallelograms that are inverted relative to one another.  
         [0148]      FIG. 31A  and  FIG. 31B  are elevation views of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the profiles of male projections  132  along abutment surfaces  82  and  84  comprise convex shapes, such as circles ( FIG. 31A ) and ellipses ( FIG. 31B ).  
         [0149]      FIG. 32  is an elevation view of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls with projections in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment each hasp section has a hooked projection, here right-angled (but other configurations are also possible) that intertwines with a matching hooked projection on the other hasp section.  
         [0150]     the profiles of male projections  132  comprise projections along one common corner of abutment surfaces  82  and  84 .  
         [0151]      FIG. 33A  is an elevation view, and  FIG. 33B  is a cross-section view along the line delineated (A-A) in  FIG. 33A  of a protective hasp with interlocking abutting walls with unequal projections in the form of round pins, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment allows greater lateral freedom in the process of engaging both hasp sections. The profiles of the male projections  132  comprise substantially perpendicular projections along one common corner of abutment surfaces  82  and  84 , with matching cavities on the other hasp section. Another advantage of this embodiment is the prevention of relative motion also in the up-down direction between the hasp sections when engaged.  
         [0152]     It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.  
         [0153]     It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.