Padlock with key-retaining cover

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11149466-B2
Application number	US-201916269214-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 6, 2019
Priority date	Feb 6, 2019
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key includes a key-retaining cover. The padlock includes a lock body having an internal cavity with a locking mechanism received therein. The locking mechanism is a linear lock configured to receive the key through a keyhole to lock and unlock the padlock. A direction of insertion of the key into the locking mechanism is parallel with a direction of displacement of a plurality of tumblers in the locking mechanism thereby creating an outward ejection force on a fully-inserted key. The cover is disposed on the locking mechanism proximate the keyhole. The cover is configured to retain the key in position relative to the locking mechanism against the outward ejection force after the key is received in therein.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key, the padlock comprising:
a lock body having an internal cavity with a locking mechanism received therein, the locking mechanism being a linear lock configured to receive the key through a keyhole to lock and unlock the padlock, where a direction of insertion of the key into the locking mechanism is parallel with a direction of displacement of a plurality of tumblers in the locking mechanism thereby creating an outward ejection force on a fully-inserted key; and
a cover disposed on the locking mechanism proximate the keyhole, the cover being configured to retain the key in position relative to the locking mechanism against the outward ejection force after the key is received in therein wherein the cover includes at least one tab configured to be received by the locking mechanism such that the cover travels rotationally with the locking mechanism.

2. The padlock of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an access slot formed around the keyhole and at least one flexible wiper that extends from a side of the access slot, the at least one flexible wiper being configured to grip the key after the key is inserted into the locking mechanism.

3. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible wiper has a thickness selected to retain the key in the locking mechanism against the outward ejection force on the fully-inserted key.

4. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the thickness of the at least of flexible wiper decreases along the length of the at least of flexible wiper.

5. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible wiper is tapered radially inward in the axial direction toward the locking mechanism.

6. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible wiper includes a first wiper extending from a first side of the access slot and a second wiper extending from a second side of the access slot opposite the first side.

7. The padlock of claim 6 , wherein the first wiper and the second wiper define a thin central opening through the access slot before the key is received in the locking mechanism.

8. The padlock of claim 6 , wherein the first wiper is configured to be pushed outward toward the first side of the access slot and the second wiper is configured to be pushed toward the second side of the access slot when the key is inserted into the locking mechanism.

9. The padlock of claim 8 , wherein the first wiper and the second wiper are biased towards the key to retain the key in the locking mechanism against the outward ejection force.

10. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible wiper applies a gripping force against the outward ejection force onto the key.

11. The padlock of claim 10 , wherein the gripping force is a friction force between the at least one flexible wiper and the key.

12. The padlock of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible wiper is configured to be flexed in a radially-outward direction when the key is inserted into the locking mechanism.

13. The padlock of claim 2 , further comprising a faceplate configured to restrict axial deflection of the at least one flexible wiper away from the locking mechanism.

14. The padlock of claim 1 , further comprising a faceplate disposed on an axial end of the cover opposite the locking mechanism.

15. The padlock of claim 14 , wherein the face plate wraps around a portion of the cover.

16. The padlock of claim 14 , wherein the face plate retains the cover on the locking mechanism.

17. The padlock of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a polymer material.

18. The padlock of claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to cover a portion of the keyhole before the key is inserted into the locking mechanism.

19. The padlock of claim 18 , wherein the cover selectively inhibit entry of debris into the locking mechanism.

Assignees

• Brady Worldwide Inc

Inventors

• Hernandez Ignacio Mendez

Classifications

• E05B27/08 Primary

  arranged axially · CPC title

• E05B67/02

  Cases · CPC title

• E05B11/00 Primary

  Devices preventing keys from being removed from the lock {; Devices preventing falling or pushing out of keys (preventing turning of the key E05B13/00; keyhole guards E05B17/14; E05B35/086 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E05B27/083

  of the split-pin tumbler type · CPC title

• E05B17/142

  with key-operated locks, e.g. padlocks · CPC title