Patent ID: 7174756

Claim:
A padlock, comprising: a casing; a shackle having a free first end and a second end, the second end being pivotally connected to the casing; a locking mechanism received within the casing and limiting the axial movement of the second end of the shackle; a key operating means comprising a latching tube and a key, wherein the latching tube is received and operative to be moved within the casing and adapted to receive the key therein and moved in conjunction with the movement of the key; and a stop member driven by the latching tube so as to be moved in conjunction with the latching tube operated by the key between a first position where the first end of the shackle can be rotated by using the second end thereof as a center of rotation when the axial movement of the second end of the shackle is limited by the locking mechanism, and a second position where the stop member prevents the first end of the shackle from moving and the shackle and the casing co-define a closed loop.