GB2343704A

GB2343704A - Padlock with pivoting body sections

Info

Publication number: GB2343704A
Application number: GB9908815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Larry Edward Houghton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-11
Filing date: 1999-04-16
Publication date: 2000-05-17
Also published as: GB9908815D0; EP1001121A1

Abstract

A padlock which has two separate body sections (1 and 2), which pivot and lock together, by means of a cam locking shaft. The body sections have respective lateral extensions (33 and 34) having facing seats which, in the locked position of the padlock, completely encase both ends of a swivelling shackle bar (8), unifying the body sections (1 and 2) and isolating the swivelling shackle bar (8) and a locking mechanism housed in the body sections.

Description

2343704 PADLOCK This invention relates to padlocks.

Conventional rectangular padlocks are constructed from a body made from a solid block. A shackle bar is pushed into the block across a recess on one side of the body allowing the padlock to be affixed to either a padbar or chain. The shackle bar is locked into position by a key that rotates an offset drum, which in turn pushes a ball bearing into a recess on the shackle bar. A proportion of the shackle bar is left outside the padlock body to enable attachment to a padbar or chain. However, this undermines the security of the lock, as force applied to the lock body, for example by a hammer attack, will eventually push down the bearing and allow the shackle bar to be released, since the locking mechanism acts upon the shackle bar. Moreover, the conventional design also makes it impossible to waterproof the lock mechanism. Further, a conventional padlock is prone to cryogen attack, since thermal contraction stresses the U-shaped shackle bar differentially which can result in its fracture.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a padlock having first and second cooperating body sections and a shackle bar. The padlock can be closed by moving the first and second body sections together to interlock them and also to enclose both ends of the shackle bar. The padlock can be opened by first moving the body sections apart into an intermediate, position to release one.end of the shackle bar and the interlock between the body sections. From the intcrmediate position, the padlock is movable into an opened position by swivelling the body sections to expose one end of the shackle bar.

The swivel action of the lock allows for a compact construction, since to remove the padlock the two body sections only need to be separated by an amount sufficient to clear one end of the shackle bar from its seat, since then relative rotation of the two body sections, preferably by at least 30 degrees, more preferably between 60 to 90 degrees, then allows the free end of the shackle bar to be swivelled clear of the body section associated with its seat thus providing clear access for removing or installing a chain, padbar or whatever from the padlock.

2 In accordance with one preferred feature, the first and second body sections have a male/female interlock to provide a form-locked engagement resistive to torque applied transverse to the direction of engagement. Moreover, when the padlock is unlocked, the two body sections can be split apart, for example by a linear movement of, for example, 6 mm. in one embodiment, allowing the male/female interlock to separate and their registry to disengage. This in turn allows relative rotation of the body sections, which then allows removal of a chain or hasp.

In accordance with a further preferred feature, the lock mechanism is completely enclosed in the body sections and is sealed with a lip seal, Oring or other seal, to act as a barriier to water ingress into the lock mechanism between the two lock halves.

In accordance with another preferred feature, the lock mechanism is housed in one of the body sections, remote from the shackle bar. Securing a padbar or chain link with a padlock having this feature does not compromise the lock mechanism, since twisting or other forces applied between the padlock and the padbar or chain to which it is locked do not stress the lock mechanism, since they are taken up by interengaging surfaces of the body sections.

In accordance with another preferred feature, a retaining mechanism is arranged to limit s6pairation of the first and second body sections, thereby to prevent the first and second body sections from being fully separated in normal use when the padlock is unlocked. However, the retaining mechanism includes an actuation element, such as a recessed screw, that is externally actuatable to release the retaining mechanism thereby to allow the first and second body sections to be fully separated for servicing when the padlock is unlocked. Once the body sections are fully separated, the padlock internals become accessible. The padlock internals are thus easy to inspect, service and rebuild. For example, the body sections can be separated and the locking mechanism inspected and re-greased in a matter of minutes without any special tools. A similar functionality is not provided by a conventional padlock.

In accordance with a preferred feature of the first aspect of the invention, the shackle bar rotatably mounted to provide protection against a saw attack on the 3 locked padlock. The shackle bar will then tend to rotate when hacksawed, making cutting very difficult.

A rotatable shackle bar can also be advantageously provided in other forms of padlock apart from those according to the first aspect of the invention.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the invention relates to a padlock comprising a padlock body housing a locking mechanism and a shackle bar rotatably mounted in one region of the padlock body and extending towards a seat in another region of the padlock body, the bar being slidable into the seat prior to locking of the padlock by actuation of the locking mechanism.

Further aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention provide:

1. A padlock body and mechanism that encases both ends of a swivelling bar.

2. A padlock body that completely enshrouds the key lock mechanism.

3. A padlock body that swivels to allow easy fitting to padbars.

4. A padlock body that is extremely resistant to force attack.

5. A padlock body that is water-resistant.

6. A locking mechanism that locks both halves of the padlock body together.

7. A locking mechanism that allows the padlock body to be separated and swivelled by a rotation of the key.

Still - ftu-ther aspects of the invention are exemplified by the attached claims.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention a p adlock is provided that is resistant to cryogen attack, since the bar can be provided so that it is straight and relatively loosely fitted and thus not stressed by its own contraction caused by cooling, or by differential contraction relative to other parts of the padlock.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I shows in perspective a padlock of the first embodiment in a closed position in which a lock mechanism can be locked and unlocked; Figure 2 illustrates the padlock of Figure I separated and swivelled into an unlocked, opened position; 4 Figure 3 shows a cut-away, partial section, view of the body and locking mechanism in the closed position of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows exploded views of the padlock body and mechanism of the padlock of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of a locking element shown in side view in Figure 3; Figure 6 shows the padlock of Figure I in the closed position; Figure 7 shows the padlock of Figure I in an intermediate, separated position; Figure 8 shows the padlock of Figure I in the opened position; Figure 9 shows a cut-away, partial section, view of a padlock of a second embodiment; Figure 10 is a plan view of a locking element shown in side view in Figure 9; Figure I I shows a side view of a padlock of a third embodiment in a closed position; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the padlock of Figure 11 in an opened position; Figure 13 shows links of a chain suitable for use in combination with the padlock of the third embodiment; Figure 14 shows a front side view of a padlock of a fourth embodiment in a closed position; Figure 15 shows a rear side view of the padlock of Figure 14 in the closed position; A padlock according to a first embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figures I to 8.

Figure I shows in perspective the padlock in a closed position in which it can be locked and unlocked by means of a locking mechanism disposed within the main body of the padlock as will be described further below with reference to Figures _3) and 4 in particular. As can be seen from Figure 1, the padlock has two main parts, namely cooperating lower and upper body sections I and 2, as well as a shackle bar 8 that extends between lateral extensions 34 and 33) of the lower and upper body sections I and 2 respectively. The shackle bar is straight and of circular section in the present embodiment, although it will be understood that a large variety of bar shapes and configurations may be used. The first, lower body section I and the second, upper body section 2 may be made of conventional materials such as lock-grade stainless steel, or brass.

Figure 2 illustrates the padlock in an opened position in which the upper body section 2 has been rotated through approximately 90' from the locked position relative to the lower body section 1. To move the padlock from the closed, locking position shown in Figure 1 to the opened position shown in Figure 2, the body sections are first moved apart and thus disengaged. For example the upper body section can be lifted in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2 from the lower body section. The body sections I and 2 are separated by a sufficient degree to disengage corresponding inter engageable portions 29 and 30 of the lower and upper body sections I and 2 respectively. The separation of the body sections to disengage the inter- engageable portions 29 and 30, which are male and female in configuration in this embodiment, also lifts the lateral extension 33 of the upper body section 2 clear of the upper end of the shackle bar 8. The upper body section 2 can then be swivelled through 900 to the opened position illustrated in Figure 2 in which there is maximum clear access to the shackle bar 8. In the opened position, the padlock can be easily attachable and detachable' from a padbar or chain. The swivel action thus provides good access for installing and removing the padlock, while at the same time allowing for a compact construction compared with a construction in which a straight shackle bar is moved along its own axis during installation and removal of the padlock. Constructions of this type are in widespread use for motorcycle locks which are fixed through holes in a drilled disc of a disc brake.

Figure 3 shows cut-away views of the padlock when in the closed position illustrated in Figure 1.

The first and second body sections I and 2 are shown in section with diagonal dashed lines. The corresponding inter-engageable portions 29 and 30 are interlocked in the illustrated closed position to provide resistance against relative rotation of the body sections I and 2. The shackle bar 8 has a first, lower end 32 positioned in a 6 corresponding seat 27 in the lateral extension 34 of the lower body section 1. The lower end 32 of the bar 8 is retained in its seat 27 by means of a retaining screw 7 which engages in a groove formed by a waisted portion 28 in the lower end '32 of the bar 8. When in the illustrated closed position, a second, upper end 3 1 of the bar 8 is positioned in a corresponding seat 24 in the lateral extension 33) of the upper body section 2. The shackle bar 8 is rotatably mounted in the seat 27 so as to allow swivelling about its own axis, as illustrated by the chain-dotted line in Figure 4.

When in the closed position, the upper and lower body sections abut with a skirt 35 in the upper body section 2 enclosing and thereby protecting the male and fernale inter-engaging portions 29 and 3)0 from attack. Moreover, the bar 8 has both its end sections 31 and 32 fully enclosed in their respective seats thus defining a closed loop enclosure 19 through which a padbar or section of a chain link can be positioned.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the components of the padlock and the locking mechanism is now described with reference to this figure, noting that many of the components of the locking mechanism are also illustrated in Figure 3.

A conventional lock barrel 3 is housed in the lower body section I with a keyhole for receiving a key 15, accessible from the underside of the lower body section 1. In this embodiment, the lock barrel is of the Eurocylinder type. An anti-drill shield 13 is fitted -between the lower body section I and the lock barrel 3. There is also provided a keyhole seal in the form of a bung 14 which can be fitted once the key has been removed to provide waterproofing for the intemals of the lock barrel 3. 'The bung 14 may be retained to the lower body section by a strap or the like (not illustrated). The lock barrel 3 housed in the lower body section 1 is retained by the underside of an axle mounting plate 26 using retaining screws 10, one of which is illustrated. The axle mounting plate 26 forms a lower flange of an axle 4 of generally cylindrical shape which is arranged upstanding from the lower body section I and forms part thereof The axle 4 extends into a cavity in the upper body section 2, the cavity being formed in its lower part as a bore 25 in which the axle 4 is slidably and rotatably engaged. The axle 4 and bore 25 thus serve as means by which the upper body section 2 can be revolved or turned round the lower body section 1.

7 Many mechanical implementations of this functionality will be envisaged, it being understood that the axle 4 need not necessarily be a single upstanding cylindrical stub and the bore 25 may not be a plain cylindrical bore, as illustrated. For example, the axle 4 may be formed of multiple splines arranged in a circle, or the axle 4 and 5 cavity bore 25 may be replaced with any conventional bearing or bushing arrangement.

Returning to the present embodiment, a seal in the form of an O-ring 9 is arranged in a groove extending around the periphery of the axle 4. The outer surface of the O-ring 9 bears on the inner surface of the bore 25, both in the closed position shown in Figure I and the opened position shown in Figure 2, and in all intermediate positions, thereby forming a barrier against the ingress of water into upper portions of the cavity where movable parts of the locking mechanism are disposed.

The axle 4 has a vertical bore passing therethrough offset from the principal axis of the axle in which bore is received a cam shaft 5 which is held captive in the axle 4 by a cam retaining plate I I which is fitted into a slot in the axle 4 and engages into a waisted portion 22 of the cam shaft 5. At the upper end of the cam shaft 5 there is mounted a cam 21 which is rotated by rotation of the cam shaft 5, which is in turn caused by rotation of a key 15 in the lock barrel 3, to move the cam 21 into and out of a locking recess 20 formed in the upper body section 2 adjacent to the upper end of the cavity. The cam 21 is of circular section and has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the axle 4.

In its unlocked position, illustrated by the solid line drawing of the cam 21 in Figure 4, the cam 21 does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the axle 4, thus allowing the upper and lower body sections to be moved apart from the closed position up to a maximum amount defined by a retaining mechanism in the form of a retaining screw 6 in the upper body section 2 and an associated abutment in the lower body section I that are arranged to prevent total separation of the body sections. Retention may for example be achieved by a vertical slot extending part way along the axle such that the lower end of the slot (not shown) serves as an abutment for the retaining screw 6. A compression spring 12 positioned in a recess on the upper side of the cam 21 8 serves to provide an urging force to assist separation of the body halves prior to subsequent rotation into the position shown in Figure 2.

In its locked position, illustrated by the dashed line drawing of the cam 21 in Figure 4, the cam 21 is engaged in the recess 20 thus locking the first and second body sections together in the closed position shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows in plan view from above the cam 21 with the recess for the spring 12 arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the underlying cam shaft 5.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are further schematic representations of the padlock in three different positions. Figure 6 shows the padlock in the closed position. Figure 7 shows the padlock in an intermediate position in which the two body sections I and 2 are separated. Figure 8 shows the padlock in the opened position shown in Figure 2 in which the upper and lower body sections have been rotated by approximately 900 from the closed position. To remove the padlock from a chain or padbar, the key 15 is turned to disengage the locking cam 21 ftom its recess 20 and bring it into alignment with the axle 4. At this point, the two body sections I and 2 become separable and are urged apart into the position shown in Figure 7 by the action of the compression spring 12. In the intermediate position shown in Figure 7, the body sections are separated by an amourit sufficient to disengage the mutually engaging portions 29 and 30 and to lift the upper end 31 of bar 8 clear of its seat 24 by a clearance distance d. The -lower body section I can then be swivelled relative to the upper body section 2, wherein maximum access is provided by rotation through 90'. Clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation is possible with this embodiment. Although 900 relative rotation of the body'halves from the closed position will provide maximum access, it will be understood that sufficient access will also be provided by lesser amounts of rotation and that other embodiments of the invention may not allow for rotation beyond an angle of, for example, 300 45" or 600. In one example, the separation movement from the closed position to the intermediate position shown in Figure 7 is approximately 6mm. and the clearance of the upper end 31 of the bar 8 at this intermediate position is approximately I or 2mm.

9 A second embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 9 shows a cut-away view of the padlock of the second embodiment, this view corresponding to that of Figure 3 of the first embodiment. For the most part, the components and operation of the padlock of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and like reference numerals have been used to label corresponding components to aid understanding. The main outer construction of the padlock is the same as in the first embodiment, as is the de ign and mounting of the shackle bar 8 in the lateral extensions 33 and 34 of the body sections. However, the second embodiment differs somewhat from the first embodiment in the construction of the locking mechanism, more especially in the manner in which the lock barrel 3) is housed and in features of the axle 4, cam shaft 5 and locking cam 2 1.

The padlock of the second embodiment is now described ftirther by way of its principal differences in relation to that of first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the lock barrel 3 is fitted during assembly when the lock bodies I and 2 are in half. Moreover, the axle 4 is a separate component. A possible limitation of the first embodiment could be a potential weakness of the connection between the axle 4 and lower body 1.

To' iddress this limitation, in the second embodiment, the Jower body I and axle 4 of the first embodiment are of a unitary construction by forming both elements integrally from a single piece of material, thus iniproving strength against attack. The axle/lower body unit can, for example, be machined from a single block of metal, such as stainless steel. In contrast to the first embodiment, the lock barrel 3 is fitted externally from underneath and retained by a lock barrel retaining plate.13, which also forms an anti-drill shield, and is held in position using screws 10.

In the second embodiment, the cam 21 is retained in a slot positioned part way along the axle 4. This modification is for increased strength against attack in respect of forces acting to pull the body sections apart, which act on the cam 5. Moreover, this modification provides for improved ease of manufacture.

In the first embodiment an 0-ning 9 is provided as a seal on the axle 4. In the second embodiment, the O-ring is replaced with a lip seal 9 mounted adjacent the entrance to the bore 25. The lip seal 9 is considered more efficient as a barrier to water and moisture. Moreover, an 0-ning 110 has been added to the cam shaft 5 to form a seal between the outer surface of the cam shaft 5 and the inner surface of the bore in the axle 4 through which it passes. The 0-ning 110 serves to stop water ingress to the main locking components, even if the keyhole is not sealed.

Sealing of the keyhole is also effected differently in the second embodiment. A plastic keyhole cover 14 is snap fitted into a peripheral groove extending around a lower rim of the lower body section I and has an aperture through which key access to the keyhole is possible, the aperture being sealable by a bung held on a strap (not shown).

In the second embodiment, the axle retention is also performed in a different way. A retaining screw 6 is provided, as in the first embodiment, but retention is effected by a head of the screw which is free to travel within bounds defined by a recess 17, the sides of which form abutments for the head of the retaining screw, thus limiting separation of the body sections to an amount sufficient to allow movement between the above-mentioned closed, intermediate and opened positions. The head of the retaining screw 6 is accessible through a hole 18 which is sealed with a waterproof bung 16 after assembly.

Moreover, in the second embodiment, the spring 12 of the first embodiment is omitted, as it has been established that separation of the body sections can be performed adequately without any positive urging of cam shaft 5 away from the upper body section 2.

A third embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

The padlock of the third embodiment has an intermediate lateral extension 40 which forms part of one of the body sections, the lower body section I in the illustration. The interinediate lateral extension 40 has a hole through which the shackle bar 8 passes, thereby sub-dividing, the bar 8 into first and second exposed sections for receiving respective chain links and defining closed loop enclosures 19a I and 19b. The lower and upper exposed sections have lengths tj and t, respectively which are preferably of similar dimension, namely a dimension slightly larger than a ZD IM corresponding width t of a chain link of a chain as illustrated in Figure 13 by way of example. The shackle bar 8 can be fully removed to allow one link of the chain to be fitted between the lower lateral extension 34 and the intermediate lateral extension 40.

If a retaining screw such as the retaining screw 7 of the first and second embodiments is provided this can be disengaged to allow bar removal and placement of a chain link into the lower enclosure 19a of the padlock. A chain can thus be semi- permanently attached by one end link to the lower body section I of the padlock. The other end link of the chain can then be fitted to and removed from the padlock as desired by separation and swivel action of the upper body section 2 as illustrated in Figure 12, thereby opening the enclosure l9b to allow free access to the upper end of the shackle bar 8. It will be understood that the internal construction of the padlock of the third embodiment may follow that of either the first or second embodiments as described above.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figures 14 and 15 which show front and rear side views of a padlock. The padlock of the fourth embodiment has a modified exterior construction in that flange extensions 50 and 51 are provided in the upper and lower body sections 2 and 1 respectively. The flanges 50 and 51 extend to restrict access to the padlock enclosure from one side of the padlock, thereby to further improve security against attack. This embodiment is specially adapted for use in locking shutters of the kind common in shop fronts. When used as a shutter lock, the padlock can be installed with the flanges 50 and 51 facing upwards, the other side of the padlock enclosure which is not protected by the flanges being partially obscured by the padlock's close proximity to the ground or to a window ledge or the like.

With symmetrically disposed side flanges 50 and 51 of the illustrated form, it will be understood that the body sections I and 2 can only be rotated fully in one 12 direction of rotation since the upper flange 50 will contact the upper. end of the bar 8 after a small amount of rotation.

In a modification, the flange 50 may be at least partially dispensed with and the area of the flange 51 correspondingly increased to cover at least part of the area covered by the flange 50 in the arrangement illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

Further embodiments of the invention can be readily envisaged which use combinations of features from different ones of the above-described embodiments. It will also be understood that the rotatable shackle bar could be replaced with a shackle bar with fixed mounting, and that the shackle bar could be mounted in the upper rather than the lower body section. A straight shackle bar is preferred if rotatable mounting is provided, but other forms of bar could be used. If the shackle bar is not rotatably mounted., then an even wider variety of bar forms could be used.

13

Claims

1. A padlock comprising first and second cooperating body sections configured to be moved together and interlocked in a closed position in which both ends of a shackle bar are enclosed by respective ones of the body sections, and to be moved apart to an intermediate position from which the body sections are swivellable relative to each other into an opened position to expose one end of the shackle bar.

2. A padlock according to claim 1, wherein the first and second body sections have corresponding interengageable portions and respective, spaced apart lateral extensions, the shackle bar having a first end arranged in a seat in one of the lateral extensions and a second end positionable into a mutually facing seat in the other of the lateral extensions, the second end of the shackle bar being positioned in its mutually facing seat when the padlock is in the closed position in which the shackle bar and interlocked body sections form a closed loop.

3. A padlock according to claim 2, wherein, in the intermediate position, the interengageable portions are separated and the second end of the bar is lifted from its seat, so as then to allow relative rotation of the body sections into the opened position through an angle sufficient to move the second end of the bar- clear of the lateral extension associated with its seat.

4. A padlock according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second body section has a cavity therein and the first body section has an axle extending into the cavity, the axle being slidably and rotatably engaged in the cavity, wherein the axle includes a locking element that is movable into and out of locking engagement with the second body section when the padlock is in the closed position so as respectively to prevent and allow the first and second body sections from being moved apart, thereby respectively locking and unlocking the padlock.

14

5. A padlock according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is mounted beyond an end of the axle and is movable into locking engagement with a corresponding recess in the first body section adjacent the cavity.

6. A padlock according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is mounted part way along the axle and is movable into locking engagement with a corresponding recess formed in the cavity.

7. A padlock according to claim 4, 5 or 6, including a seal between the cavity and 10 axle to form a barrier against the ingress of water ffirther into the cavity.

8. A padlock according to claim 7, wherein the seal is a lip seal fitted to the cavity.

9. A padlock according to claim 7, wherein the seal is an O-ring fitted to a groove in the axle.

10. A padlock according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the axle and the first body section form part of a single piece of material.

11. A padlock according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the interengageable portions are formed to resist forces acting to cause relative rotation of the body sections about the axle when in the closed position, thereby to prevent stressing of the shackle bar by such forces.

12. A padlock according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the closed position, the first and second body sections interlock to form a barrier against force acting to cause their relative rotation.

13. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the shackle bar is rotatably mounted in its associated seat and is also rotatable in the other of said seats when the padlock is in the closed position.

14. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one of the body sections includes an intermediate lateral extension having a hole through which the shackle bar passes, thereby subdividing the bar into first and second exposed sections for extenaing through respective end links of a chain.

15. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second body sections includes a flange extending to restrict access from one side of the padlock.

16. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second body sections are shaped to abut in the closed position so as to provide a protective skirt.

17. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retaining mechanism arranged to limit separation of the first and second body sections, thereby to prevent the first and second body sections from being fully separated when the padlock is unlocked, wherein the retaining mechanism includes an "actuation element that is externally actuatable to release the retaining mechanism thereby to allow the first and second body sections to be fully separated when the padlock is unlocked.

18. A padlock comprising a padlock body housing a locking mechanism and a tD shackle bar rotatably engaged in one part of the padlock body and extending towards a facing seat arranged in another part of the padlock body, the bar being slidable into rotatable engagement with the facing seat prior to locking of the padlock by actuation 3 of the locking mechanism.

16 19. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shackle bar is straight.

20. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shackle bar is of circular section.

21. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures I to 8 of the accompanying drawings. 10 22. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

2 3. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 11 15 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

- 24. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS n 1. A padlock comprising first and second members respectively formin-a first and second cooperating body sections, and a third member forming a shackle bar, wherein the first and second bodv sections are configured to be moved together and interlocked in a closed position in which both ends of the shackle bar are enclosed by respective ones of the body sections, and to be moved apart to an interTnediate position from which the body sections are swivellable relative to each other into an opened position to expose one end of the shackle bar.

2. A padlock according to claim 1, wherein the first and second body sections I have corresponding interen-ageable portions and respective, spaced apart lateral extensions, the shackle bar havina a first end arranaed in a seat in one of the lateral extensions and a second end positionable into a mutually facing seat in the other of the lateral extensions, the second end of the shackle bar being, positioned in its mutually facing seat when the padlock is in the closed position in which the shackle bar and interlocked body sections form a closed loop.

I A padlock according to claim 2, wherein, in the intermediate position, the interengageable portions are separated and the second end of the bar is lifted from its seat. so as then to allow relative rotation of the body sections into the o pened position throuah an anale sufficient to move the second end of the bar clear of the lateral extension associated with its seat.

4. A padlock according to claim 1, 2 or 3), wherein the second body section has a 2 cavity therein and the first body section has an axle extending into the cavity, the axle being slidably and rotatably engaged in the cavity, wherein the axle includes a locking "I In element that is movable into and out of lockina encaoement with the second body C C> = section when the padlock is in the closed position so as respectively to pre,,,,cnt and allov; the first and second body sections from b:Incy moved apart, thereby resp,:ctively locking and L, ckin- t.'7-- padlock.

It.

A padlock according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is mounted bevond an end of the axle and is movable into lockincy engacement with a corresponding recess in the first body section adjacent the cavit%".

6. A padlock according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is mounted par-t wav alona the axle and is movable into locking engagement with a corresponding recess fonned in the cavitv.

7. A padlock according to claim 4, 5 or 6, including a seal between the cavity and axle to form a barrier against the ingress of water further into the cavity.

S. A padlock according to claim 7, wherein the seal is a lip seal fitted to the cavitv.

9. A padlock according to claim 7, wherein the seal is an 0-ring fitted to a groove in the axle.

10. A padlock accordincr to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the a\le and the first 20 body section form part of a single piece of material.

11. A padlock accordin'.. to ariv one of claims 4 to 10. wherein the interengageable portions are formed to resist forces acting, to cause relative rotation of the body sections about the axle when in the closed position, thereby to prevent stressing of the 25 shackle bar by such forces.

12. A padlock according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the closed position, the first and second body sections interlock to form a barrier aoainst force actino to cause their relative i-tation.

13. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of C, 1-1 the shackle bar is rotatably mounted in its associated seat and is also rotatable in the other of said seats when the padlock is in the closed position.

14. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one of the C t) body sections includes an intermediate lateral exjension having a hole through which the shackle bar passes, thereby subdividing., the bar into first and second exposed sections for extending throug gh respective end-links of a chain.

16. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and =1 - second body sections are shaped to abut in the closed position at first and second abutting surface portions, wherein the second body section has a protective skirt C extending from the second abuttin surface portion to enclose a part of the first body 9 section so as to resist forces acting to cause swivelling, of the body sections when in the I'D tP closed position, thereby to prevent stressing of the shackle bar by such forces.

17. A padlock according to any one of the preceding, claims, further comprising a retaininc, mechanism arranged to limit separation of the first and second body sections.

thereby to prevent the first and second body sections from being fully separated when the padlock is unlocked, wherein the retaining mechanism includes an actuation element that is externally actuatable to release the retaining mechanism thereby to allow the first and second body sections to be fully separated when the padlock is unlocked.

18. A padlock according to any one of the preceding claims, whereir the shackle bar is straicy it.

j 90,

19. A padlock accordinG to any one of the preceding-- claims, wherein the shackle bar is of circular section.

20. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Ficures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

1)? A padlock substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to Fig,ures I I to 13 of the accompanyin'a drawings.

23. A padlock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanyincy drawincys.

24. A padlock comprising, first and second cooperating', body members collectively housing parts of a lockin'a mechanism. and a shackle bar mounted remote from and to de of the locking mechanism, wherein the first and second body members are one si Z-1 confiszured to be moved together into and interlocked in a closed position in which both ends of the shackle bar are enclosed by respective ones of the body members and in which the lock mechanism is actuatable to lock and unlock the padlock, and is further configured to be moved apart, when the padlock is unlocked, to an intermediate position from which the body sections are swivellable relative to each other into an opened position in which one end of the shackle bar is exposed.

25, A padlock comprising first and second cooperatin'- body sections, and a shackle bar havin'o, a first end and a second end, the first and second body sections each having, a seat for receiving the first and second ends of the shackle bar respectivel,., wherein tlt f,,-st -.nd ccopl-ratl.,-bcd%- sect';712irl A loils Cile CO-Iii-- J to be:

touether and interlocked in a closed position in which the first and second ends of the shackle bar are received by and enclosed in their respective seats in each of the body sections, and wherein the first and second cooperating body sections are filrther confiaured to be moved apart to an intermediate position from which the body sections are swivellable relative to each other into an opened position to expose the second end of the shackle bar.

26. A padlock according to claim 25, wherein the first and second body sections have corresponding interengageable portions- and respective, spaced apart lateral z-, '_ extensions. wherein the seats are arranged in respective ones of the lateral extensions facing one another, the shackle bar having a first end arranged in the seat of one of the lateral extensions and a second end positionable into the seat of the other of the lateral extensions, the second end of the shackle bar being positioned in its seat when the padlock is in the closed position in which the shackle bar and interlocked body sections form a closed loop.