Patent Publication Number: US-2023151646-A1

Title: Lock for movable freight container cargo door

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/307,591 filed 7 Feb. 2022 This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/876,095 filed 17 May 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/271,825 filed 9 Feb. 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,713,613, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/942,559 filed 1 Apr. 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,267,061, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/480,983, filed 3 Apr. 2017. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/876,095 also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/850,546, filed 21 May 2019. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Pat. application Ser. No. 29/829,526 filed 5 Mar. 2022. The contents of all aforementioned documents are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for locking motor vehicle freight containers and/or movable freight containers. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to the locking of the cargo doors of such vehicle trailers and/or containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The US Federal Bureau Investigation reported that in 2015 over $30B of cargo was lost in the USA due to theft. Theft rates can be even higher abroad. To address this, a locking system, with an optimal combination of theft prevention features is desired. The following is a list of desirable features for a secure lock for a movable freight container:
     (a) The system and/or method should be compatible with existing systems for securing movable freight containers and furthermore, should be a drop-in replacement for existing hardware for securing such freight containers.   (b) The system and/or method should work consistently in a typical freight container environment, including exposure to a broad temperature range, moisture, humidity, shock, vibration, dirt, chemicals, and pollution.   (c) The system and/or method should use thick and hardened components in places where a thief might try to cut or saw any part of the locking system.   (d) The system and/or method should minimize or eliminate any spots a lock in the system could be pried open.   (e) The system and/or method should be as inexpensive and easy to manufacture as possible.   (f) The system and/or method should be easy to install.   

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    shows one embodiment a lock for a movable freight container; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows the cargo doors of a movable freight container; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows a prior art lock system for a movable freight container; 
         FIG.  2 C  shows the embodiment of  FIG.  1    with the shackle in an open position; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the lock of  FIG.  1   , without the cam action lock rod handle; 
         FIG.  4    is section A-A of  FIG.  3   , mounted on a movable freight container cargo door; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective, partially-disassembled exploded rear view of the lock of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5 B  provides a detailed perspective view of a door attachment nut; 
         FIG.  6    is a rear view of the lock of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a rear view of the lock of  FIG.  4    with the covers shown in  FIG.  5 A  removed; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of  FIG.  7    with the monolithic lock body sectioned; 
         FIG.  9    is a front perspective exploded view of a configuration similar to  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the shackle and related parts for the lock of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a rear view of the components shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  11 B  shows the view of  FIG.  11 A  in position that unlocks the shackle; 
         FIG.  12 A  shows more detail of View B of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  12 B  shows an alternate shackle head embodiment from  FIG.  12 B ; 
         FIG.  13    is an alternate embodiment of the lock of  FIG.  1    in with the lock cylinder in the upper portion of the lock body; 
         FIG.  14    is a rear view of the lock of  FIG.  13    without the rear covers; 
         FIG.  15    shows a prior art roll up cargo door locking system; 
         FIG.  16    shows an alternate embodiment of the lock of  FIG.  1    for a rollup carbo door; 
         FIG.  17    shows the lock of  FIG.  16    in an unlocked position. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment. 
     It should be understood that various changes could be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the Figures, with like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. 
     1. Definitions. 
     For purposes of describing embodiments of the invention and claims, a movable freight container (hereinafter a “container”) is defined as any storage unit configured to be filled with cargo, closed, and transported. Examples of movable freight containers include, but are not limited to, a sealable delivery truck cargo compartment, a motor vehicle freight trailer, an intermodal freight container, a railway wagon, and a unit load device for air freight. Movable freight containers are typically sealed, and often locked. The term “cargo trailer” is a synonym for any movable freight container that can be pulled behind a motor vehicle. 
     2. Overview of One Embodiment of the System and Method. 
     The present invention comprises a system and method for securely locking the cargo door of a movable freight container (hereinafter also simply referred to as a “container”), such as a motor vehicle freight trailer, an intermodal freight container, a railway wagon, a unit load device for air freight, or any similar storage unit designed to be filled, sealed, and transported. 
       FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A , and  FIG.  2 C  illustrate one embodiment of the present invention at  100 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , this lock embodiment  100 , is a system and method for a movable freight container  10 , and more specifically for attachment to a cargo door  12  of a movable freight container  10 . The embodiment, shown at  100  in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  2 C , can comprise one or more of the following elements and functionality:
         (a) A c-shaped lock body assembly, shown at  150 , that is configured for permanently bolting to the cargo door  12 ;   (b) A straight shackle, shown at  110 , that fits across a recess of the c-shaped lock body assembly  150  to retain a cargo door handle  22 , the shackle  110  being held by two portions of the lock body assembly on opposite sides of the recess;   (c) A lock cylinder  152  configured to selectively allow the shackle  110  to move out of the recess and release the handle  22  or securely retain the handle  22  between the shackle  110  and a base portion of the lock body assembly  150 .       

     Also shown in  FIG.  2 A  are a cam action lock rod  20  retained behind two cam action lock rod braces (also called cam action rod keepers), shown at  14 , that secure the top and bottom of the cam action lock rod (or pipe)  20 , and thereby the movable freight container cargo door  12 .  FIG.  1    more clearly illustrates that the cam action lock rod handle  22  is permanently attached and rotationally coupled to the cam action lock rod  20  that secures the movable freight container door ( 12  in  FIG.  2 A ). As will be described in greater detail later in this disclosure,  FIG.  2 C  shows a shackle release spring  112  that sits on an outside circumference of a head end of the cylindrical shackle  110 . In the embodiment shown at  100 , the shackle release spring  112  is not visible or externally accessible when the shackle  110  is fully inserted into the lock body assembly  150 . 
     The embodiments shown in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A , and  FIG.  2 C  are configured to replace the prior art cam action lock rod cargo door lock system and method shown at  30  in  FIG.  2 B . This prior art system  30  comprises the same door handle  22  as the lock embodiment  100  shown in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  2 C . The prior art system  30  comprises a prior art hasp  24 , that uses a prior art lock pin  36 , and a prior art mechanical lock module  34 , or seal. It can be understood that the door handle shown at  22  in  FIG.  2 B  is attached to the cam action lock rod, shown at  20  in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2 A . The prior art hasp  24  would typically be attached to the movable freight container door ( 12  in  FIG.  2 A ) using bolts that go through holes in the movable freight container door. Embodiments of the invention shown and described herein can be configured to use these same through holes in the moveable freight container door to attach the lock ( 100  in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A , and  FIG.  2 C ), and more specifically the c-shaped lock body assembly  150  to the freight container door. 
     3. Description of One Embodiment. 
       FIG.  3    is a front view of the lock  100  previously shown in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 A , and  FIG.  2 C .  FIG.  4    shows section A-A of  FIG.  3   , mounted on a movable freight container cargo door.  FIG.  5 A  is a perspective, partially-disassembled exploded rear view of the lock  100  of  FIG.  3   .  FIG.  6    is a rear view of the lock  100  of  FIG.  3   .  FIG.  7    is rear view of the lock of  FIG.  3    with the rear covers removed. It should be noted that for purposes of this document and the appended claims, the rear face of the lock  100  is the face of the lock  100  that would be attached to the movable freight container cargo door ( 12  in  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  4   ) when the lock  100  is in use. This rear face of the lock is not visible or accessible when the lock  100  is mounted to the door  12 . This makes the rear face a secure part of the lock  100  for access to all parts and features of the lock  100  and for assembly of the lock. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   , the lock  100  comprises a c-shaped lock body assembly (which could also be called a casing)  150  and an axially-slidable straight shackle (which could also be called a bolt or pin)  110 . The c-shaped lock body assembly  150  comprises a top portion  154  and a bottom portion  156  that are separated by a recess (i.e., the center of the “c”). There is a base portion  158  on the rear of the c-shaped lock body assembly  150  that connects the top portion  154  and bottom portion  156  of the c-shaped lock body. In the configuration shown in  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  5 A ,  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  7   , the lock body assembly  150  is oriented vertically, with the recess being a horizontal slot configured for receiving at least part of a cam action lock rod handle of the movable freight container as described previously. In one embodiment, the c-shaped lock body assembly  150  comprises a monolithic lock body block ( 190  in  FIG.  5 A ,  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  7   ) to create the entire structure of the top portion  154 , the bottom portion  156 , and the base portion  158 . Alternatively, the c-shaped lock body assembly could comprise separable parts for the top portion  154 , the bottom portion  156 , and the base portion  158 , with these separable portions being attached to each other using any manufacturing method and assembly technique known to anyone skilled in the art. The c-shaped lock body assembly  150  could comprise a hardened metal, such as a fully hardened steel or a case-hardened steel. The c-shaped lock body assembly  150  could comprise a case-hardened metal exterior over a plastic interior. The c-shaped lock body assembly could comprise any other structure or combination of materials capable of being understood by anyone skilled in the art. 
     Further referring to  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  7   , the axially-slidable straight shackle  110  comprises a tip end  114  and a head end  116 , separated by a shaft. The shackle  150  can also be seen at  110  in  FIG.  5 A . The shackle tip end  114  is configured for insertion into the top of the lock body assembly  150 , through an aperture in the lock body top portion  154  across the recess (handle retention region) and into a cavity in the lock body bottom portion  156 . By comparing  FIG.  1    with  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   , it can be understood that the handle  22  shown in  FIG.  1    can be securely captured in a lock handle retention region defined by the part of the recess of the c-shaped lock body assembly  150  that is between the shackle  110  and the lock body base portion  158  when the shackle  110  is fully inserted into the lock body  150  assembly. It can be seen that the shackle tip end  114  comprises a frustum region. This frustum region is configured for pushing the shackle lock element,  174  in  FIG.  7   , against the one or more shackle lock element springs  176  in  FIG.  7    when the tip end  114  of the straight shackle  110  is inserted into the lock body. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  6   , the lock body assembly ( 150  in  FIG.  3   ) comprises a rear cover  160  that is located on a face of the lock body assembly configured for mounting on a movable freight container cargo door ( 12  in  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  4   ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  6    the rear cover  160  is attached to a monolithic lock body block, shown at  190 , using six rear cover screws ( 162  in  FIG.  5 A ). The attachment of the rear cover  160  to other parts of the lock body assembly  150  could be made using any fastener capable of being understood by anyone skilled in the art. It should be noted that all fasteners and other assembly components for assembling and disassembling the locking system are located on the rear face of the lock body. The process of disassembling the locking system begins by removing the rear cover. The process or re-assembling the locking system ends by re-attaching the rear cover. Once the rear of the lock is attached to a movable freight container cargo door, none of the fasteners are accessible from the exterior of a movable freight container. 
     Further referring to  FIG.  5 A  the lock body assembly ( 150  in  FIG.  3   ) also comprises a door attachment nut retainer  164  that captures a door attachment nut  168  in a slot of the monolithic lock body block  190 . The door attachment nut  168  is more clearly illustrated in  FIG.  5 B . The door attachment nut retainer  164  is attached to the monolithic lock body block  190  using two door attachment nut retainer screws, shown at  166 .  FIG.  7    is a perspective rear view of the lock body assembly ( 150  in  FIG.  3   ) when the rear cover ( 160  in  FIG.  5 A ) and door attachment nut retainer ( 164  in  FIG.  5 A ) have been removed to more clearly show the door attachment nut  168  in a door attachment nut slot of the monolithic lock body  190 . This door attachment nut  168  is also shown in  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  5 A ,  FIG.  5 B , and  FIG.  6   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  5 A ,  FIG.  6   , and  FIG.  7   , there are two attachment points that can be used to attach the lock system ( 100  in  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  6   ) to a movable freight container cargo door ( 12  in  FIG.  4   ) using cargo door attachment bolts ( 14  in  FIG.  4   ). One of these attachment points is a threaded hole in the monolithic lock body block, shown at  192 . The second of these attachment points is the door attachment nut  168 , described previously. These two attachment points can be accessed through a hole and a slot in the rear cover  160 . The door attachment nut  168  can slide up and down in a slot in the monolithic lock body block  190 , to facilitate different bolt spacing for the holes in the cargo door. The door attachment nut retainer  164  holds the door attachment nut  168  in this slot in the monolithic lock body block  190 . 
     Further referring to  FIG.  5 A  the lock body assembly ( 150  in  FIG.  3   ) also comprises a shackle lock element cover  170  that covers a shackle lock element  174 . The shackle lock element cover  170  is attached to the monolithic lock body block  190  using four shackle lock element cover screws, shown at  172 . The shackle lock element  174  is also shown in  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  11   . More detail about the function of the shackle lock element  174  will be provided later in this document. 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the components shown in  FIG.  7    with the monolithic block  190  sectioned to show some of the interior components of the lock of  FIG.  3   . Referring to  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  11   , a set screw is shown at  180 . This set screw  180  is threaded into the top portion of the monolithic lock body  190  and serves as a stop to limit the movement of the shackle and more specifically to prevent the shackle from being completely removed. The end of the set screw  180  fits into a slot  120  that runs partway along a longitudinal axis of the shackle. This shackle longitudinal slot can be seen more clearly at  120  in  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A  and  FIG.  11 B , and these figures also show the set screw  180  in the shackle longitudinal slot  120 . 
       FIG.  9    is a front perspective exploded view of a configuration similar to  FIG.  7   . In this view, the shackle  110  and shackle release spring  112  have been completely removed from the monolithic lock body block  190 . As described previously, the shackle  110  comprises a head end  116  and a tip end  114 , separated by a shaft. The lock body aperture  194  that runs through the entire upper portion of the lock body and the cavity, and lock body cavity  196  in the bottom portion of the lock body are indicated with hidden lines in  FIG.  9   . From  FIG.  9   , it can be understood that lock body aperture  194  is configured for axially sliding at least a portion of the shackle through into and out of the lock body and that the lock body cavity  194  is configured for holding the shackle tip end  114  when the shackle  110  is fully inserted into the lock body. The lock body cavity  194  could have a small opening opposite its main opening, as shown at  198  in  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  8    or it could have no opening other than its main opening. 
     From  FIG.  9    it can be seen that the embodiment of the shackle  110  comprises a groove  118 , and more specifically a circumferential groove near the tip  114  of the shackle  110 . This groove  118  is configured to engage with the shackle lock element  174  when the shackle  110  is fully inserted into the lock body. The shackle circumferential groove  118  can also be seen in  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A , and  FIG.  11 B . By looking at the shackle lock element  174  in  FIG.  5 A ,  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A , and  FIG.  11 B , it can be understood how the shackle lock element  174  fits into the shackle groove to lock the shackle  110  in position. Note that the groove does not need to be circumferential, the groove  118  only needs to be in the region that engages with the shackle lock element  174 . The groove  118  is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the shackle  110  (i.e., perpendicular to the shaft of the shackle). The term perpendicular, in this context and in the description of the embodiments and claims, is meant to identify that the groove runs in a direction that prevents axial movement of the shackle. 
       FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  8   , and  FIG.  9    show one or more shackle lock element springs  176 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , these shackle lock element springs  176  press against an inside wall of the lock body  190  to bias the shackle lock element  174  into the groove  118 . The point on the shackle tip end  114  slides the shackle lock element  174  out of the way when the shackle  110  is inserted into the cavity in order to engage with the groove  118  and lock the shackle. 
       FIG.  7    also shows the lock cylinder  152  that is also shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2 C ,  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A , and  FIG.  11 B . The lock cylinder  152  in these illustrations comprises a rotating mechanical lock cylinder  152  configured to be turned by a user with a key. It should also be noted that the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder  152  is perpendicular and offset to the axis of motion for sliding the shackle  110 , perpendicular to the direction of motion for the shackle lock element  174 , and parallel to an engagement region of the shackle lock element  174  into the groove  118  in the straight shackle. By looking carefully at  FIG.  11 A  and  FIG.  11 B , one can see that the rotation of a lock cylinder actuator  178  causes the shackle lock element  174  to move out of the groove  118  in the shackle. This can also be seen by observing that the one or more shackle lock element springs  176  become compressed as the shackle lock element  174  is moved rightwards in  FIG.  11 B  as a result of a rotation of the lock cylinder actuator  178 . 
       FIG.  10    most clearly shows how shackle axial movement is limited by a set screw  180  that rides in the longitudinal slot  120  in the shaft of the shackle. The slot  120  is typically on the rear of the shackle  110 , where the rear of the shackle  110  is defined as that part of the shackle that is closest to the rear cover ( 160  in  FIG.  5 A ) and movable freight container cargo door ( 12  in  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  4   ). The set screw  180  can also be seen in  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  6   , FIG. 
       7 ,  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  11 A , and  FIG.  11 B . The longitudinal slot, can also be seen in  FIG.  11 A  and  FIG.  11 B . As can most clearly be seen in  FIG.  4   , the slot  120  in the shackle  110  runs along a part of the shackle  110  allowing the shackle tip end  114  to move out of the cavity in the lower portion of the lock body and out of the way of the handle retention region, but prevents complete removal of the shackle  110  from the top portion of the lock body when the locking system is attached the movable cargo container door. 
     4. Alternate Shackle Head Shapes 
       FIG.  12 A  shows more detail of View B section that was shown in  FIG.  4   . In this view, the shackle head end  116  has a domed shape. As an alternative, the shackle could have a flat shaped head, as shown at  117  in the view shown in  FIG.  12 B . Referring to both  FIG.  12 A  and  FIG.  12 B , the lock body is shown sectioned at  190 . There is an axial stop, shown at  122 , that limits the depth that the shackle can slide into the lock body. This axial shackle to lock body stop  122  is located below the surface of the lock body to prevent the shackle from being pried out of the lock body at the head of the lock body ( 116  or  117 ). The shackle release spring  112 , that was also shown in  FIG.  4   , sits around the cylindrical shackle near its head end,  116  or  117 , between a shackle release spring shoulder  124  on the shackle and a counterbored shackle release spring seat  188  in the lock body  190   
     5. Alternative Locations for the Locking Module 
     The configuration shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2 C  to  FIG.  12 B  has the lock cylinder (shown as  152  in  FIG.  3   ) located in the portion of the lock body closest to the tip of the shackle (shown at  114  in  FIG.  3   ). As illustrated in  FIG.  13    and  FIG.  14   , it is also possible to locate the lock cylinder  152  in the portion of the lock body  150  closes to the head of the shackle  117 . This alternate configuration lock  300  is shown as a front view in  FIG.  13   .  FIG.  14    shows a rear view of this alternate configuration with the rear covers removed. One advantage of this alternate configuration  300  is that a thief would need to cut the shackle  110  twice to remove enough of the shackle  110  to release the door handle (shown at  22  in  FIG.  1   ) from the door handle retention region that is located between the top portion  154  and the bottom portion  156  of the lock body. 
     6. Applicability to Alternate Movable Freight Container Cargo Doors 
     A lock with the elements and features described herein can also be used for other types of movable freight container cargo doors. For example, those skilled in the art will be aware of the overhead cargo doors for movable freight containers that roll up from the bottom.  FIG.  15    shows a typical prior art latching system for such a roll-up cargo door at  40 . Such roll-up cargo door systems typically comprise a prior art roll-up door lock keeper, shown at  42 , that engages with a roll-up door latch assembly, shown at  44 . The roll-up door latch assembly  44  typically comprises roll-up door latch mounting plate, shown at  50 , a roll-up door latch handle  46 , a roll-up door latch cam hook  48 , and a roll-up door latch handle retainer, shown at  52 . The mounting plate  50  and keeper  42  are configured to be mounted to the roll-up cargo door (also known as an overhead door) of a movable freight container. The latch handle  46  and cam hook  48  are rotationally coupled to each other and rotate about a pivot on the mounting plate  50  to engage or disengage that cam hook  48  from a fixed part of the movable freight container (typically called a latch plate). The latch handle retainer  52  is used to retain the latch handle  46  and cam hook  48  in an open position to facilitate rolling the overhead cargo door that they are attached to up and down. The distal end of the latch handle  48  can be retained by the keeper  42  to latch the overhead cargo door closed. Typically, in the prior art, a padlock is used to secure a through hole in the distal end of the latch handle  48  to the roll-up door keeper  42 . 
       FIG.  16    shows how an embodiment of the present invention can be used to replace the keeper that was shown in  FIG.  15    in a locked position and  FIG.  17    shows this roll-up door lock system in an unlocked position. The latch assembly  44 , latch handle  46 , latch cam hook  48 , latch mounting plate  50 , and latch handle retainer are the same in the embodiment shown in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17    as the embodiment shown in  FIG.  15   . The embodiment of a lock for a roll-up movable freight container cargo door shown at  400  in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17   . has been configured to fit with the roll-up door latch assembly  44 , latch handle  46 , latch cam hook  48 , latch mounting plate  50 , and latch handle retainer  50  that were shown and described in further detail with reference to  FIG.  15   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17   , based on what has been described for other embodiments shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  14   , the lock shown at  400  comprises a generally c-shaped lock body that has a first portion and a second portion that are horizontal to each other. There is a straight shackle, shown at  110  that goes through an aperture in the first portion, across a handle retention region and into a cavity in the second portion. Note that the shackle  110  shown in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17    is always fully inserted, even when the handle is released, just like it was in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  3   . Also note that the groove  118  in the shackle  110  is in the portion of the horizontal lock body  402  that is closest to the head of the shackle  110 , like it was for the embodiment  300  shown in  FIG.  13   , components of which were shown in  FIG.  14   . 
     It is also important to identify that the lock body  402  in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17    uses an electronic lock module  404 . Embodiments of the inventions described herein could use any lock module capable of being understood by anyone skilled in the art including the mechanical lock cylinder ( 152  in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2 C ,  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 B  and  FIG.  13   ). Embodiments could use an electronic lock module ( 404  in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17   ). Embodiments could use both a mechanical lock and an electronic lock. Not shown in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17    is a shackle axial movement limiter function implemented with the longitudinal slot (shown most clearly at  120  in  FIG.  10   ) and set screw ( 180  in  FIG.  10   ). However, it can be understood that this configuration could be added to the lock shown at  400  in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17   . Similarly, it can be understood that the lock shown at  400  in  FIG.  16    and  FIG.  17    could comprise a shackle release spring (shown at  112  in  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 B ,  FIG.  12 A , and  FIG.  12 B ). 
     A number of variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can also be used. While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure.