Locks – Portable – Padlocks
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-20
2002-05-07
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Portable
Padlocks
C070S312000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06381997
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a padlock, and more particularly to a combination padlock.
2. Description of Related Art
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a prior art combination padlock comprises a main body
10
, an actuation set
11
, an unlocking key
12
, and a shackle
21
. The actuation set
11
is formed of a plurality of dial wheels
13
, an actuation block
14
, a recovery spring
15
, and an actuated rod
16
. The actuation rod
16
is provided at the top end with a stop plate
17
having a recessed portion
18
. The unlocking key
12
has a press arm
19
and a lock arm
20
. When the prior art combination padlock is in the locking state, the free end of the press arm
19
of the unlocking key
12
is stopped in the recessed portion
18
of the stop plate
17
. In the meantime, the lock arm
20
of the unlocking key
12
is joined with the free end of the shackle
21
. In the process of unlocking the prior art combination padlock, the dial wheels
13
are turned to a correct set series of numbers, thereby enabling the lock arm
20
of the unlocking key
12
to be pushed inward with a finger. As a result, there is a space between the lock arm
20
and the free end of the shackle
21
. In the meantime, the actuation rod
16
is forced to displace downward by the press arm
19
of the unlocking key
12
.
The prior art combination padlock has shortcomings. In the first place, the finger exerting on the lock arm
20
of the unlocking key
12
becomes an obstruction. In addition, the free end of the press arm
19
of the unlocking key
12
and the stop plate
17
of the top end of the actuation rod
16
are susceptible to wear because of mechanical friction.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combination padlock which is free of the deficiencies of the prior art combination padlock described above.
The combination padlock of the present invention comprises a main body, a control set, an unlocking key, and a shackle. The present invention is characterized by the unlocking key which is provided with a rotary block located between the unlocking key and the shackle. As the unlocking key is exerted on by an external force, the rotary block moves away from the free end of the shackle, thereby resulting in an open space between the rotary block and the shackle. The control set comprises an actuation rod which is provided at the top end with a flat stop portion. As the rotary block moves away from the shackle, a press portion of the rotary block exerts pressure on the flat stop portion of the actuation rod, thereby resulting in downward displacement of the actuation rod.
The features, functions and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1117417 (1914-11-01), Meepos
patent: 4803856 (1989-02-01), Ling
patent: 4860561 (1989-08-01), Hwang
patent: 5042277 (1991-08-01), Jenn-Rong
patent: 5609048 (1997-03-01), Ling
patent: 5685179 (1997-11-01), Yang
patent: 5765409 (1998-06-01), Yang
patent: 5782113 (1998-07-01), Chen
patent: 5901587 (1999-05-01), Chen
patent: 5918489 (1999-07-01), Yang
patent: 5970755 (1999-10-01), Appelbaum
patent: 6082155 (2000-07-01), Su
LandOfFree
Combination padlock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Combination padlock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Combination padlock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2845882