Patent Publication Number: US-8534098-B1

Title: Padlock

Description:
Embodiments relate generally to padlocks, and more particularly to padlocks having removable dials axially aligned with a shackle. 
     Some conventional padlocks may have a fixed combination that is set by the factory at manufacture time. Dial padlocks may have a fixed set of dials that are not removable or changeable. Also, some conventional padlocks have dials that are not aligned with the lock shackle and thus may have additional components or complexity. 
     Embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned problems and limitations, among other things. 
     An embodiment includes a padlock having a shackle having a channel disposed along an axis of the shackle and a plurality of dials each having a detent formed to slidably move through the channel when the detent is substantially aligned with the channel. The padlock can also include a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in a spaced arrangement along the shackle, each groove corresponding to one of the dials and formed such that the detent can rotate in the groove about the shackle. 
     The shackle can include a handle portion having a perpendicular member. The padlock can include a spring (e.g., a biasing spring) disposed between a body of the lock and the dials and configured to urge and help keep the dials in position. 
     The handle portion can include a ring or a knurled grip. 
     An embodiment can include one or more slots and a ring disposed at a distal end of the shackle. An embodiment can include a rotating knob or a knurled knob. 
     Another embodiment includes a combination lock having a body portion having a square indention formed on an inside surface of a bottom thereof and a plurality of removable dials disposed within the body portion and in axial alignment with a lock shackle, the lock shackle having a square distal end portion adapted to fit into the square indention when the shackle is inserted into the body. The combination lock can also include a removable cap adapted to permit removal of one or more dials. 
     The shackle can include a channel formed lengthwise along a portion of the shackle. 
     Each dial can include one or more detents corresponding to one or more channels in the shackle. The shackle can have a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in a spaced arrangement along the shackle, each groove corresponding to one of the dials. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of an example padlock in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a diagram of an example padlock shackle in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the padlock of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a dial in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the padlock shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are diagrams of example padlocks in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 8-11  are diagrams of an example padlock in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram of an example padlock in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an example padlock in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram of an example padlock in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a padlock  100  having a shackle  102 , a body portion  104 , a cap  106 , a spring  108 , a plurality of dials  110  and an indentation  111 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a diagram of an example padlock shackle  102  having a channel  112  formed lengthwise along a portion of the shackle  102  and a plurality of circumferential grooves  114  formed in a spaced arrangement along the shackle  102 . Each of the grooves  114  corresponds to one of the dials  110  and provides a space for a dial and dial detent (see  FIG. 4 , detent  118 ) to rotate about the shackle  102 . When the detents of all of the dials are aligned with the channel  112  of the shackle  102 , the shackle can be removed from the body portion  104 . In other words, the correct lock combination is one in which all of the dial detents are aligned with the channel  112  of the shackle  102 . Any other arrangement of the dials will prevent the shackle  102  from being removed from the body portion  104 . 
     The shackle also includes an end portion  115  having a square shape. The end portion  115  is adapted to fit into the indentation  111  of the body portion  104  and help keep the shackle  102  aligned in a fixed position (rotationally) with respect to the body portion  104 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the padlock of  FIG. 1  at line A-A. In particular,  FIG. 3  shows the cap  106  and a detent on the cap  116  that helps to keep the shackle  102  in a fixed position (rotationally) with respect to the body portion  104 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the padlock body  104  near a bottom portion.  FIG. 5  shows the square shaped indentation  111  discussed above. While the indentation  111  and shackle end portion  115  are shown as square shaped members, other shapes could be used. In general any shape that would help prevent rotation of the shackle  102  relative to the body portion  104  could be used. 
     In operation, when all of the dials  110  are positioned such that the detents of each dial are substantially aligned with the channel  112  on the shackle  102 , the shackle  102  can be inserted or removed from the body  104 . Once the shackle  102  has been inserted into the body  104 , the dials can be rotated to move the detents out of alignment with the channel  112  and into other positions in corresponding grooves to lock the padlock and prevent removal of the shackle  102 . 
     It will be appreciated that the shackle and each dial could have more than one channel and detent, respectively. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are diagrams of example padlocks  600  and  700 , respectively, showing an outside view. The locks ( 600  and  700 ) include body portions ( 602  and  702 ) and a plurality of dials ( 604  and  704 ). Lock  600  includes a shackle having a ring  606 . Lock  700  includes a shackle having a knurled knob  706 . Locks  600  and  700  operate as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
       FIGS. 8-11  are diagrams of another embodiment of a padlock. The padlock  800  has a shackle  802 , a body  804  with one or more slots  805 , a plurality of dials  806  and a ring  808  attached to the shackle. The shackle  802  has a lengthwise channel  810  and a plurality of grooves  812  in a spaced arrangement. Each groove  812  corresponds to one or the dials  806 . The padlock  800  operates in a manner similar to that described above for  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     A difference between the padlock  800  shown in  FIG. 8  and the padlock  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is that an item can be passed through one or more of the slots  805  of the padlock  800  and engaged by the shackle  802  when the shackle  802  is inserted into the body  804 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram of an example padlock  1200  having a shackle  1202 , a body portion  1204 , one or more dials  1206  and a rotating knob  1208 . The knob  1208  can rotate when detents in the dials (not shown) are aligned with a channel in the shackle  1202  (as described above). 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are diagrams of an example padlock  1300  having a shackle  1302 , a body portion  1304 , one or more dials  1306  and a slider  1308 . The slider  1308  can move when detents in the dials (not shown) are aligned with a channel  1310  in the shackle  1302  (as described above). 
     It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, padlocks having removable dials with one or more detents and/or dials with one or more detents in substantial alignment with a shackle having one or more corresponding channels. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.