Patent ID: 12195999

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features.

With reference toFIG.1, illustrated therein is a portable lock apparatus according to certain embodiments, which in the illustrated form is provided in the form of a ring lock100. The ring lock100generally includes a housing110, a shackle120mounted for movement relative to the housing110between a closed position and an open position, and a lock cylinder130operable to selectively retain the shackle120in the closed position.

The housing110encloses one or more other components of the ring lock100, and provides a base to which one or more components of the ring lock100may be mounted. In the illustrated form, the housing110is configured for mounting to a wheeled transportation device (e.g., a bicycle or motorcycle) adjacent a wheel of the transportation device, and includes an opening112operable to receive a portion of the wheel of the transportation device.

The shackle120is mounted for movement relative to the housing110between an open position and a closed position, and is operable to be retained in the closed position by the lock cylinder130. In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder130may also be operable to selectively retain the shackle120in its open position, as described herein. With the shackle120in the closed position, a portion of the wheel of the transportation device is captured within the enclosed opening112, and the shackle120interferes with spokes of the wheel to prevent rotation of the wheel relative to the frame. When the shackle120is in its open position, the shackle120is received in the housing110, and the wheel is free to rotate. A driver122is connected with the shackle120, and facilitates manual manipulation of the shackle120between its open position and its closed position.

The lock cylinder130is operable by an appropriate key139, and can be transitioned between a locked state and an unlocked state by the key139. During standard operation of the ring lock100, the lock cylinder130is operable to selectively retain the shackle120in its closed position. More particularly, the lock cylinder130is operable to retain the shackle120in its closed position when the lock cylinder130is in its locked state, and permits movement of the shackle120between its open position and its closed position when the lock cylinder130is in its unlocked state. As described herein, one or more attack-defeating measures of the ring lock100are configured to prevent the lock cylinder130from releasing the shackle120when the ring lock100is subjected to an over-torqueing attack.

With additional reference toFIG.2, illustrated therein is the ring lock100with one or more selected components of the housing110removed to more clearly illustrate the remaining components of the ring lock100. The illustrated ring lock100includes a bias member such as a spring102, which is engaged between the housing110and the shackle120to thereby bias the shackle120toward its open position. While the illustrated bias member is provided in the form of an extension spring102, it should be appreciated that the bias member may take another form, such as one including a compression spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, an elastic member, and/or one or more magnets. As described herein, the illustrated ring lock100further includes a latch140operable to selectively retain the shackle120in its closed position, and a bias mechanism150biasing the latch140toward a blocking position.

The lock cylinder130generally includes a plug132rotatably mounted in the housing110, a tumbler assembly including a plurality of tumblers134movably mounted in the plug132, and a cam136mounted to the plug132. The tumblers134are operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug132relative to the housing110. In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder130further includes a frangible component138selectively coupling the cam136to the plug132. As described herein, the illustrated cam136is eccentrically mounted to the plug132via the frangible component138, and is received within an opening142of the latch140such that the lock cylinder130is selectively operable to drive the latch140between a blocking position and an unblocking position.

With additional reference toFIG.3, the latch140is slidably mounted in the housing110for lateral movement between a blocking position (FIG.3) and an unblocking position (FIG.4). The lateral direction is transverse to a rotational axis131of the plug132. In the state illustrated inFIG.3, the shackle120is in its open position, and a portion of the latch140is engaged with an open position notch124formed in the shackle120such that the latch140in its blocking position retains the shackle120in its open position. The latch140includes an opening142that receives the cam136. In the illustrated form, the opening142has an outer periphery143that includes a ledge144.

The bias mechanism150biases the latch140toward its blocking position, and in the illustrated form includes a pivot plate152and a bias member154in the form of a double torsion spring. The pivot plate152is pivotably mounted within the housing110, and the bias member154is engaged between the housing110and the pivot plate152to thereby cause the pivot plate152to bias the latch140toward its blocking position. While the illustrated bias member154is provided in the form of a double torsion spring, it is also contemplated that the bias member154may be provided in another form, such as one including a standard torsion spring, a compression spring, an extension spring, a leaf spring, an elastic member, and/or magnets.

With additional reference toFIG.4, illustrated therein is a portion of the ring lock100with the shackle120in its open position and the lock cylinder130in its unlocked state. In this state, the appropriate key139has been inserted and rotated to thereby drive the latch140to its unblocking position, in which the latch140is disengaged from the open position notch124. As such, the shackle120is free to move from its open position toward its closed position.

With additional reference toFIG.5, illustrated therein is a portion of the ring lock100with the shackle120in its closed position and the lock cylinder130in its locked state. In this state, the latch140is in its blocking position, in which the latch140is engaged with a closed position notch126of the shackle120to thereby retain the shackle120in its closed position.

During standard operation of the ring lock100, insertion of the key139enables rotation of the plug132relative to the housing110, and such rotation of the plug132causes the cam136to drive the latch140between its blocking position and its unblocking position. As described herein, however, such actuation of the latch140by the lock cylinder130may be selectively prevented in response to an over-torqueing attack on the lock cylinder130.

With additional reference toFIG.6, illustrated therein is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ring lock100during standard operation. In this state, wings135of the tumblers134are received in recesses113of a housing component110′ of the housing110, which includes a wall114that supports the plug132. A first end115of the wall114is coupled to a body111of the housing110, and the opposite second end116of the wall114is coupled to the housing body111via a frangible area117. During standard operation of the ring lock100, insertion of the key139enables rotation of the plug132relative to the housing110as described above.

One common method of attacking a portable lock apparatus such as a ring lock involves inserting a tampering tool (e.g., a “power key”) into the lock cylinder, and exerting an excessive torque on the lock cylinder via the tampering tool. In conventional lock cylinders, such an over-torqueing attack may cause the tumbler assembly or sidebar to shear, thereby permitting rotation of the plug and unlocking of the ring lock. As described herein, however, such an over-torqueing attack may be defeated by one or more features of the ring lock100, rendering the ring lock100less susceptible to such over-torqueing attacks.

With additional reference toFIG.7, illustrated therein is a cross-sectional view similar to that presented inFIG.6. In the state illustrated inFIG.7, however, a tampering tool139′ has been inserted into the plug132in place of the appropriate key139. Without the appropriate key139, the tumbler system of the lock cylinder130prevents rotation of the plug132relative to the housing110. As a result, the torque exerted by the tampering tool139′ on the plug132in the unlocking direction (clockwise inFIGS.6and7) is transmitted to the housing110via the tumblers134. More particularly, the torque is transmitted from the tumblers134to the housing110via engagement of the wings135with the engagement surfaces113′ of the recesses113. One such engagement surface113′ (the upper left engagement surface inFIG.7) provides an anchor point for rotation of the lock cylinder130, and the other engagement surface113′ (the lower right engagement surface inFIG.7) is positioned in close proximity to the frangible area117.

As a result of the relative positions of the engagement surfaces113′, the torque exerted via the tampering tool139′ is converted to a shear force at the frangible area117. Once the torque reaches a threshold torque value corresponding to a shear strength of the frangible area117, the housing110breaks at the frangible area117. As a result, the wall114pivots about the first end115, and the lock cylinder130moves to a displaced position. In certain embodiments, a bias member104(FIG.2) may retain the lock cylinder130in the displaced position. In the illustrated form, the lock cylinder130moves from its home position to its displaced position in a direction transverse to the rotational axis131of the plug132. It is also contemplated that the lock cylinder130may additionally or alternatively move from its home position to its displaced position in a direction along the rotational axis131of the plug132.

With additional reference toFIGS.8-11, illustrated therein is the ring lock100during various stages of the over-torqueing attack described above. InFIG.8, the tampering tool139′ has been inserted, but has not yet been rotated. As a result, both ends115,116of the wall114remain coupled to the body111, and the wall114remains in its home position. Rotation of the tampering tool139′ moves the ring lock100to the state illustrated inFIG.9, in which the housing110has sheared at the frangible area117, and the wall114and lock cylinder130have been moved to the displaced positions thereof. In this state, a shoulder137of the cam136is aligned with the ledge144.

With the ring lock100in the state illustrated inFIG.9, further rotation of the tampering tool139′ drives the ring lock100to the state illustrated inFIG.10. In this state, the shoulder137is engaged with the ledge144, and retraction of the latch140by the cam136is prevented. In certain embodiments, further rotation of the tampering tool139′ may cause the frangible component138to shear, resulting in decoupling of the cam136from the plug134. With the cam136removed from the plug134, retraction of the latch140by the lock cylinder130is prevented. As a result, the ring lock100remains locked with the shackle120in its closed position, and the attack is defeated.

As should be evident from the foregoing, the use of one or more frangible components may aid in defeating an over-torqueing attack. As one example, a frangible housing component110′ that includes a frangible area117may aid in defeating over-torqueing attacks by causing the lock cylinder130to move to a displaced position in which the lock cylinder130is inoperable to retract the latch140. In certain embodiments, a frangible lock cylinder component (e.g., the frangible component138) may cause the cam136to shear from the plug132during the over-torqueing attack, thereby defeating such an attack.

In the illustrated form, the wall114is coupled to the remainder of the housing110at the first end115thereof, and the second end116of the wall114is also initially coupled to the housing110via the frangible area117. It is also contemplated that the wall114may be coupled to the housing110only via the first end115such that the wall114is cantilevered. In such forms, the first end115may be provided with an increased thickness and/or act as a living hinge about which the remainder of the wall114is operable to pivot.

With additional reference toFIG.12, an exemplary process200that may be performed using the ring lock100is illustrated. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Although the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process200is described herein with specific reference to the ring lock100illustrated inFIGS.1-11, it is to be appreciated that the process200may be performed with portable lock apparatuses having additional and/or alternative features.

In certain embodiments, the process200may be performed using a portable lock apparatus including a lock cylinder, a shackle, and a first frangible component. As one example, the process200may be performed using the ring lock100, which generally includes a lock cylinder130, a shackle120, and a first frangible component. In certain embodiments, the first frangible component may be a frangible component of the housing110, for example as described above with reference toFIGS.6and7. Additionally or alternatively, the first frangible component may be a frangible component of the lock cylinder130, such as the frangible component138. In certain embodiments, the portable lock apparatus may include a second frangible component (e.g., the other of the frangible housing component or the frangible lock cylinder component).

The process200may include flow210, which generally involves standard operation of the portable lock apparatus. Flow210may include block212, which generally involves receiving insertion of a key into the lock cylinder of the portable lock apparatus. For example, block212may involve receiving insertion of the key139into the lock cylinder130.

Flow210may further include block214, which may be performed in response to rotation of the key to an unlocking orientation, and which generally involves permitting movement of the shackle between an open position and a closed position. For example, block214may be performed in response to rotation of the key139from a locking orientation (FIG.2) to an unlocking orientation (FIG.4), thereby permitting movement of the shackle120between its open position (FIG.4) and its closed position (FIG.5).

The process200may include flow220, which generally involves defeating an over-torqueing attack. Flow220may include block222, which may be performed with the shackle in a closed position, and which generally involves receiving insertion of a tampering tool into the lock cylinder. For example, block222may involve receiving insertion of the tampering tool139′ to the lock cylinder130.

Flow220may include block224, which may be performed in response to application of a first threshold torque to the lock cylinder via the tampering tool, and which generally involves breaking the first frangible component. For example, block224may be performed in response to application of the first threshold torque to the lock cylinder130via the tampering tool139′, and may involve breaking the frangible housing component110′ as described above.

In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is greater than the torque at which a normal key will break. For example, if it is found that a normal authorized key will break at torques between 4 and 6 Newton-meters (N·m), the first threshold torque may be at least 6 N·m. In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is at least 7 Newton-meters (N·m), at least 8 N·m, at least 9 N·m, or at least 10 N·m.

In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is less than the torque at which the lock cylinder130will typically break. For example, if it is found that the lock cylinder130breaks in response to torques between 15 N·m and 25 N·m, the first threshold torque may be 15 N·m or less. In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is no greater than 10 N·m, no greater than 13 N·m, or no greater than 15 N·m.

In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is both greater than the torque at which the key will break and less than the torque at which the lock cylinder130will break. In certain embodiments, the first threshold torque is between 7 N·m and 13 N·m.

Flow220may include block226, which generally involves preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the first frangible component. For example, block226may involve preventing movement of the shackle120from the closed position as a result of breaking the frangible housing component110′.

In certain embodiments, flow220may include block228. Block228may be performed after breaking the first frangible component, and may involve breaking the second frangible component in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder via the tampering tool. For example, block228may involve causing the frangible lock cylinder component138to break when the shoulder137is engaged with the ledge144and the second threshold torque is applied. In certain embodiments, the second threshold torque may be greater than the first threshold torque. In certain embodiments, the second threshold torque is at least 8 Newton-meters (N·m), at least 9 N·m, or at least 10 N·m. In certain embodiments, the second threshold torque is no greater than 25 N·m, no greater than 20 N·m, or no greater than 15 N·m.

In certain embodiments, flow220may include block229, which generally involves preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the second frangible component. For example, block229may involve preventing movement of the shackle120from its closed position as a result of breaking the frangible lock cylinder component138.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a portable lock apparatus, comprising: a housing; a shackle movable relative to the housing movement between an open position and a closed position; a latch movably mounted to the housing for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the latch in the blocking position is operable to retain the shackle in the closed position, and wherein the latch in the unblocking position is inoperable to retain the shackle in the closed position; a lock cylinder selectively operable to move the latch between the blocking position and the unblocking position; and a frangible component configured to break in response to application of a threshold torque on the lock cylinder; wherein the lock cylinder is operable to move the latch between the blocking position and the unblocking position when the frangible component is unbroken; and wherein the lock cylinder is inoperable to move the latch from the blocking position to the unblocking position when the frangible component is broken.

In certain embodiments, the housing comprises the frangible component.

In certain embodiments, the housing comprises a body and a wall coupled to the body via the frangible component; and wherein breaking of the frangible component causes at least a portion of the wall to separate from the body, thereby enabling movement of the lock cylinder to a displaced position.

In certain embodiments, the threshold torque is 20 Newton-meters or less.

In certain embodiments, the threshold torque is 10 Newton-meters or greater.

In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder comprises a cam including a shoulder; wherein the latch comprises a ledge; wherein the lock cylinder is configured to move to a displaced position in response to breaking of the frangible component; and wherein, with the lock cylinder in the displaced position, the shoulder is operable to engage the ledge to prevent further movement of the cam.

In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder further comprises a plug and an additional frangible component coupling the cam with the plug; and wherein the additional frangible component is configured to break in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a ring lock, comprising: a housing; a shackle movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position; a lock cylinder operable to maintain the shackle in the closed position, and selectively operable to permit movement of the shackle from the closed position to the open position; and a first frangible component, wherein the first frangible component is configured to break in response to application of a first threshold torque to the lock cylinder; and wherein, with the first frangible component broken, the lock cylinder is prevented from permitting movement of the shackle from the closed position to the open position.

In certain embodiments, the housing comprises the first frangible component.

In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder comprises a second frangible component configured to break in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder; and wherein, with the second frangible component broken, the lock cylinder is prevented from permitting movement of the shackle from the closed position to the open position.

In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder is configured to move to a displaced position in response to breaking of the first frangible component.

In certain embodiments, the ring lock further comprises a second frangible component; and wherein, with the lock cylinder in the displaced position, the second frangible component is configured to break in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder.

In certain embodiments, the ring lock further comprises a latch, the latch having a blocking position in which the latch is operable to retain the shackle in the closed position, the latch having an unblocking position in which the latch is inoperable to retain the shackle in the closed position; wherein, with the first frangible component unbroken, the lock cylinder is operable to move the latch from the blocking position to the unblocking position; and wherein, with the first frangible component broken, the lock cylinder is inoperable to move the latch from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

In certain embodiments, the lock cylinder comprises: a shell; a plug rotatably mounted in the shell; and a cam coupled with the plug, the cam including a shoulder; wherein the shoulder is operable to move past a ledge of the latch when the first frangible component is unbroken; and wherein the shoulder is configured to engage the ledge when the first frangible component is broken.

In certain embodiments, the cam is coupled with the plug via a second frangible component configured to break in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder when the shoulder is engaged with the ledge.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a method of operating a portable lock apparatus comprising a lock cylinder, a shackle, and a first frangible component, the method comprising: receiving insertion of a key in the lock cylinder; in response to rotation of the key to an unlocking orientation, permitting movement of the shackle between an open position and a closed position; with the shackle in the closed position, receiving insertion of a tampering tool to the lock cylinder; in response to application of a first threshold torque to the lock cylinder via the tampering tool, breaking the first frangible component; and preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the first frangible component.

In certain embodiments, the portable lock apparatus further comprises a second frangible component; and wherein the method further comprises: after breaking the first frangible component, breaking the second frangible component in response to application of a second threshold torque to the lock cylinder via the tampering tool; and preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the second frangible component.

In certain embodiments, the portable lock apparatus further comprises a housing; wherein the housing comprises the first frangible component; wherein the housing retains the lock cylinder in a home position when the first frangible component is unbroken; and wherein the lock cylinder moves from the home position to a displaced position in response to breaking of the first frangible component.

In certain embodiments, preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the first frangible component comprises shifting the lock cylinder from a home position to a displaced position in response to breaking of the first frangible component.

In certain embodiments, preventing movement of the shackle from the closed position as a result of breaking the first frangible component comprises decoupling a cam of the lock cylinder from a plug of the lock cylinder in response to breaking of the first frangible component.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected.

It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.