Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-06
2004-07-06
Barrett, Suzanne Lale Dino (Department: 3676)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S37900R, C070S372000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06758075
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to systems, methods, apparatus and related sub-assemblies for converting locks between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions. More particularly, the invention relates to conversion of locks between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions by means of a function-determinative lock actuator. Accordingly, the general objects of the invention are to provide novel systems, methods, apparatus and sub-assemblies of such character.
2. Description of the Related Art
Key operated locks are broadly classified into two mutually exclusive lock types. Locks of the first type are known as key-retaining locks because in such locks the lock mechanism prevents the key from being removed from the lock while the lock is in an unlocked condition. Locks of the second type are known as non-key-retaining locks because in such locks the lock mechanism permits the key to be removed from the lock while the lock is in an unlocked condition. Most conventional locks only offer one of these lock functions and, hence, are known as single-function locks.
One prior art single-function padlock
10
is shown in FIG.
1
and preferably comprises a padlock body
12
, a lock cylinder
13
with a blade-like actuator
15
extending therefrom, at least one locking ball
16
, a shackle
14
with a one or more recesses
17
for selectively receiving ball(s)
16
, a rotational stop member
18
with an affixation screw and a rotator bolt
19
. In particular, lock
10
of
FIG. 1
is a key-retaining lock. As shown, padlock
10
is of a generally conventional configuration and employs locking ball(s)
16
(that cooperate with rotator bolt
19
) that function as a release/locking mechanism to selectively release/retain shackle
14
in a locked or unlocked condition. A well-known variation of conventional lock cylinder
13
, is the BEST-type (also known as the small format interchangeable-core) cylinder shown in FIG.
2
. As depicted therein, cylinder
13
′ includes an end face
11
with a pair of apertures
11
′ for receiving corresponding legs of an actuator. A well-known variation of conventional rotator bolt
19
, is depicted in FIG.
4
. As shown therein, rotator bolt
19
′ includes a release-mechanism engaging portion
24
and an actuator-engaging end-portion
25
with wedge-shaped posts
27
and space therebetween.
Those of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the particular configuration of the conventional lock/components noted-above can assume a wide variety of well-known and equivalent sizes and configurations. Thus, for example, padlock body
12
, cylinders
13
and
13
′, actuator (or tailpiece)
15
, shackle
14
, ball(s)
16
and rotator bolts
19
and
19
′ can assume a wide variety of well-known and equivalent sizes and configurations. A mere sampling of such configurations of the related art is provided in the Information Disclosure Statement (with the associated Form PTO-1449) attached to this application. Further references to such conventional components should be understood to encompass these and other configurations known in the art.
There are practical, functional and security advantages to both key-retaining and non-key-retaining single-function locks. Since most manufacturers produce single-function locks discussed above, lock purchasers normally need to first determine which lock function meets their particular requirements, and then purchase the single-function lock of the appropriate type. Therefore, locksmiths and other lock suppliers are typically required to stock inventories of both key-retaining and non-key-retaining locks in order to satisfy the needs of all potential lock purchasers.
In order to eliminate the need for locksmiths and other lock suppliers to stock unnecessarily large inventories of both key-retaining locks and non-key-retaining locks, dual-function locks have been developed. Some exceptionally innovative dual-function padlocks are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,136 granted on Dec. 29, 1992 and entitled “Dual Function Padlock With Removable Cylinder Mechanism”; and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,356 granted on Nov. 14, 2000 and entitled “Dual-Function Locks And Sub-Assemblies Therefor”; which Patents are hereby incorporated by reference. Other highly similar dual-function padlocks are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,678.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,136 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,678 constitute examples of padlocks which can be readily converted between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions by the introduction and/or disposal of components between the rotator bolt and the actuator of a lock cylinder. Thus, each of these locks offer the option of selecting one of two possible lock functions at the time of installation or later. However, in the case of each of these locks, components must be introduced into or removed from between the actuator and rotator bolt in order to achieve conversion of the lock function.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,356 represents an advance over the two aforementioned designs in that the locks shown and described therein can be readily converted between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions without the introduction and/or disposal of components. The lock designs disclosed therein rely on either of at least two primary principles of operation. In the first, the rotator bolt of the lock is manipulated to achieve lock conversion (no change in the lock actuator is necessary for conversion to occur). This may occur, for example, by manipulation of and/or reorientation of a multi-component rotator bolt. In the second principle of operation, the rotator bolt and the actuator are reoriented relative to one another to achieve lock conversion. Thus, these locks also offer the ability to select the desired lock function at the time of installation or later. Neither of the aforementioned designs shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,356, however, utilize manipulation and/or modification of the actuator structure to achieve lock conversion. It would be desirable to convert locks solely by manipulation and/or modification of the lock actuator because the actuator (along with the lock cylinder) is a readily accessible component of most locks. By contrast, lock rotator bolts are typically more difficult to access since they are often located deep within a cavity of the lock body.
There is, accordingly, a need in the art for novel methods, systems and apparatus that offer the ability to achieve inter-function conversion solely by manipulation and/or modification of a function-determinative lock actuator. Such methods and apparatus should enable a user to conveniently select the desired lock function without the use of additional components between the rotator bolt and the actuator. Additionally, such methods and apparatus should enable a user to conveniently select the desired lock function by manipulating/modifying a dual-function actuator thereby avoiding the need to access the rotator bolt deep within a cavity of the lock body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the above-stated needs and overcomes the above-stated and other deficiencies of the related art by providing methods, systems and apparatus for converting locks between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions by means of a function-determinative lock actuator. In one form, the invention can be a dual-function padlock capable of conversion between key-retaining and non-key-retaining lock functions. The inventive lock includes a number of conventional components such as a body, a shackle which is at least partially disposed within the padlock body, a shackle-release-mechanism for selectively releasing/retaining the shackle, and a rotatable cylinder at least partially mounted within the body. Additionally, the inventive lock includes an axis-defining rotator bolt, which is mounted within the padlock body for rotation about the axis, with a release-mechanism-engaging portion for controlling movement of the shackle-release-mechanism and an actuator-
Barrett Suzanne Lale Dino
The Patent Source
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