NZ734831A - A Lock - Google Patents
A LockInfo
- Publication number
- NZ734831A NZ734831A NZ734831A NZ73483117A NZ734831A NZ 734831 A NZ734831 A NZ 734831A NZ 734831 A NZ734831 A NZ 734831A NZ 73483117 A NZ73483117 A NZ 73483117A NZ 734831 A NZ734831 A NZ 734831A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- lock
- locking
- chain
- shackle
- movable barrier
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000001624 Hip Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229910000576 Laminated steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001209 Low-carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009313 farming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a lock. The lock comprises a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members.
Description
A LOCK
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a lock and, in particular, to a padlock.
Background Art
Locks such as padlocks are commonly used when it is necessary to secure something
in a locked position. In one such application, gates or the like can be securely locked by
wrapping a chain around and/or through a gate post and around or through an edge of the gate
(in its closed position), for example, and then joining the ends of the chain together with the
shackle of a padlock. Once the padlock is locked, it is not possible for a person to open the
gate without first unlocking the padlock, which can prevent unauthorised entry. An example
of a gate comprises a perimeter steel tube frame and a wire mesh (for example chain wire)
attached thereto, that is hingedly attached to a post.
In some circumstances, however, it may be necessary to provide other people (e.g.
tradespeople on a building site or a contractor on a farm site) with a key so that they can
unlock the padlock and open the gate. It is all too easy for one of those people to forget to re-
lock the padlock, potentially enabling someone to steal the chain and/or padlock, which
would compromise security until the chain/padlock were replaced, at an additional expense.
It would be advantageous to provide more versatile locks, especially for use in
situations such as that described above.
Summary of Invention
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock comprising a lock body and at
least two independently operable locking members.
In some embodiments, a first locking member is operable by a first locking member
actuator and a second locking member is operable by a second locking member actuator. The
first locking member actuator may, for example, be a first key and the second locking
member actuator be a second key.
In some embodiments, the lock may comprise at least two lock barrels, each lock
barrel being operatively associated with a respective locking member. In such embodiments,
each lock barrel may be configured to be removable from the lock body (e.g. if it is necessary
to replace the barrel because someone has absconded with a key).
In some embodiments, each of the at least two independently operable locking
members are spaced apart from each other. In such embodiments, each of the locking
members should be more readily accessible by a user than would be the case if they were
spaced more closely together.
In some embodiments, the lock body may be substantially cuboid in shape. In such
embodiments, the at least two independently operable locking members may be located on
adjacent sides of the lock body.
In some embodiments, each of the at least two independently operable locking
members is a shackle. In some of such embodiments, each shackle may be configured to
slide between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body.
Advantageously, locks having two or more independently operable locking members
can be configured for operation by two or more different users, the different users potentially
being able to access different areas or achieve different outcomes, depending on which
locking member they can open. For example, in the gate-locking scenario described above,
the lock of the present invention could be used in place of a regular padlock in order to
prevent the lock and/or chain from being stolen. The site owner could loop a chain around
the gate post and use a first locking member (e.g. a shackle) to retain links of the chain and
thereby lock the chain to the gate post. A second chain (or the rest of the chain, if it is long
enough) can then be looped around or through the gate (or the gate post and gate), with a
second locking member being used to retain appropriate links of that chain. Third parties
who need to access the site could be provided with a key (for example) which would enable
them to open the second locking member (and hence unlock the gate) but not the first locking
member. As the site owner is the only person who is able to open the first locking member,
the lock and chain remains securely affixed to the gate post, even should someone forget to
re-lock the lock’s second locking member. Whilst it may be possible to provide a
comparable level of security for an existing padlock and chain arrangement, for example by
welding the chain to the gate post and the padlock, such modifications would be time
consuming and potentially costly.
Locks having two or more independently operable locking members may generally be
used with any form of movable barrier including but not limited to swinging barriers and
openable gates. Embodiments may generally be used with any suitable form of movable
barrier.
Other features and advantages of embodiments of the lock of the present invention
will be described below.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising at least two
independently operable shackles.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising two spaced
apart shackles, wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.
Features and embodiments of the padlocks of the second and third aspects of the
present invention may be as described herein in the context of the lock of the first aspect of
the present invention.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for securing a chain to a
barrier locking arrangement that comprises a movable barrier (e.g. a gate, such as a swinging
gate) and a second member (e.g. a second gate or a gate post). The method comprises:
arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member;
threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable
shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock
and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member;
wherein another portion of chain is arrangeable with respect of the other of the
movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and
second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and
threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other
portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is
locked to the second member in the closed position.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for locking a movable
barrier to a second member. The method comprises:
arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member;
threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable
shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock
and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member;
arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or
second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are
configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and
threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other
portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is
locked to the second member.
The padlock used in the method of the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention
may be the padlock described herein in the context of the first, second or third aspect of the
present invention.
Brief Description of Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with
reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lock in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of the lock of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the lock of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a side view of the lock body of the lock of Figure 1; and
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the section A-A of the lock body of
Figure 4.
Description of Embodiments
In one aspect, the present invention provides a lock comprising a lock body and at
least two independently operable locking members. In another aspect, the present invention
provides a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles. In another
aspect, the present invention provides a padlock comprising two spaced apart shackles,
wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.
Specific features and embodiments of the lock of the present invention will be
described below primarily in the context of padlocks. It is to be appreciated, however, that
the present invention has a broader application than just padlocks. For example, locks
capable of embodying the present invention include bike locks (e.g. for independently
locking two bikes to a pole), door locks (e.g. for independently locking/unlocking two
adjacent doors), etc.
The lock or padlock of the present invention may take any suitable form that is
compatible with its intended use. The lock may be fixed or portable and, in some
embodiments, may be provided in the form of a padlock. The lock has a number of
components which, when assembled, enable its use in the described manner. The main
components will be described below, with other components of such locks being well-known
to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
The lock of the present invention has a lock body, with which the independently
operable locking members and other components of the lock are associated. The lock body
may have any suitable shape and may be formed from any suitable material, for example
mild or hardened steel, brass, or laminated steel plates. The form in which the lock body is
provided and its properties will depend primarily on its intended use, and can be determined
by a person skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, for example, the lock body may be substantially cuboid in
shape, with opposing generally rectangular-shaped faces being separated by four generally
rectangular-shaped sides. In order to improve the lock’s aesthetic appeal, weight or
handleability, the edges between some or all of its faces may, for example, be rounded or cut-
out. Such a shape is essentially that of a traditional padlock, adapted in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure. The lock body may, in other embodiments, have any
other suitable shape and may, for example, be round or circular, have curved faces, and/or
have a waist.
The at least two independently operable locking members may be located at any
suitable position and in any suitable orientation with respect to the lock body. At least a
portion of the locking members would typically be housed within the lock body, with another
portion of the locking members being accessible for use (e.g. for retaining links of a chain, as
described below). Typically, the lock will be configured such that the locking members are
permanently associated with the lock body, regardless of their locked or unlocked condition.
Typically, each of the at least two independently operable locking members are
spaced apart from each other on the lock body such that they do not hinder each other during
their independent operation, and especially so if additional components (e.g. links of a chain
being retained by a shackle) are likely to be associated with the locking members.
In some embodiments, for example, the independently operable locking members
may be located on adjacent or opposite sides of an appropriately-shaped lock body (e.g. a
cuboid-shaped lock body). In such a configuration, the independently operable locking
members would be orientated in different directions, for example, away from each other, with
operation of one independently operable locking member being unlikely to affect operation
of any other independently operable locking member(s). In such a configuration, each
independently operable locking member should also be able to house the additional
component(s) referred to above without adversely hindering access to the other locking
member(s).
The independently operable locking members may each have any form that is capable
of being actuated such that a locking action is provided. In some embodiments, for example
when the lock is a padlock, each of the at least two independently operable locking members
may be a shackle. The shackles may be made from hardened steel, brass, fibre reinforced
plastic, or generally any suitable material. Such shackles may operate via any suitable
mechanism, for example by being configured to slide and/or pivot between locked and
unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body. In alternative embodiments,
the locking members may be provided in the form of a bolt or a latch that is operable to
provide a lock (e.g. a retractable bolt which, when extended, locks a door).
The simplest forms of the lock may comprise two (or more) identical locking
members, but it is to be appreciated that each of the two or more locking members could be
different.
The lock of the present invention may include any number (greater than or equal to
two) of independently operable locking members, subject to space on the lock body and its
intended application. A good balance between utility and simple design may be achieved
when the lock has two locking members (e.g. a padlock having two shackles, as described in
further detail below). A number of advantageous results can be achieved with such a lock,
which is still relatively easy to construct and easy for a user to operate.
The locking members of the lock of the present invention may be operable using any
suitable mechanism. In some embodiments, all of the independently operable locking
members may be actuated using the same locking member actuator. However, it is generally
preferable that at least one of the locking members be operable by a first locking member
actuator (i.e. a primary actuator), with one or more of the other locking member(s) being
operable by a second locking member actuator (i.e. a secondary actuator). Whilst each
independently operable locking member in the lock of the present invention may have its
own distinct actuator, it is envisaged that distinct primary and secondary actuators should be
sufficient for many applications.
Any suitable locking member actuator may be used. In some embodiments, for
example, the locking member actuator may be a key, a combination lock, a thumbprint sensor
or an electronic sensor capable of recognising a signal emitted from a paired digital device.
In some embodiments, combinations of such locking member actuators may be used.
Typically, however, and in keeping with the simple nature of some embodiments of the lock
of the present invention, the first locking member actuator is a first key and the second
locking member actuator is a second key. In some embodiments, the first key (for example)
may be a “Master key” that can open all of the locking members.
In embodiments where keys are used to actuate the locking members, the lock or
padlock of the present invention also typically comprises at least two lock barrels, each of
which is operatively associated with a respective locking member. The lock barrels may each
comprise a locking mechanism, for example a tumbler lock in the form of a pin, wafer or disc
tumbler lock. Generally, any suitable locking mechanism may be used.
In some embodiments, each lock barrel may be configured to be removable from the
lock body such that it can be replaced in the event of a key being lost or stolen. In such
embodiments, it may not be necessary for the lock owner to have to replace the entire lock.
The lock or padlock of the present invention may incorporate colour coding or other
indicia in order to identify different locking members and/or locking member actuators. For
example, a lock may be provided with two locking members in the form of shackles that can
be opened using different keys. Such a lock could be sold with keys having two visibly
distinct colours (e.g. yellow and red) for matching with lock barrels having visible portions
with the same colours. In this manner, it should be an easy task to identify which of the two
presented lock barrels a specific key will actuate.
As noted above, the locks of the present invention may also include other well-known
features that facilitate operation of the kind of lock in practice. Such features and their
interrelationship with the other components of the lock described herein can readily be
determined by a person skilled in the art.
In other aspects, the present invention provides a method for securing a chain to a
barrier locking arrangement (e.g. a gate that provides access to a building site) that comprises
a movable barrier (e.g. a swinging gate) and a second member (e.g. a gate post or a second
swinging gate), and a method for locking a movable barrier to a second member (e.g. locking
a swinging gate to a gate post). The method for securing a chain to a barrier locking
arrangement that comprises a movable barrier and a second member comprises:
arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member;
threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable
shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock
and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member;
arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or
second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are
configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and
threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other
portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is
locked to the second member in the closed position.
The method for locking a movable barrier to a second member comprises:
arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member;
threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable
shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock
and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member;
arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or
second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are
configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and
threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other
portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is
locked to the second member.
Examples of suitable second members include fence posts (e.g. as described above) or
other gates (e.g. where two swinging gates are used in order to provide an entrance wide
enough for farming machinery to pass through). Similar to that described above, the site
owner would typically be the person who is able to actuate the first shackle (e.g. using a first
key), and therefore the only person able to remove the chain and padlock from the gate or
second member. Any person who needs to be able to open the gate can be provided with a
second key (or the like).
In the context of the methods of the present invention, it is to be understood that the
chain may encompass any type of fastener that is able to be arranged around or through the
barrier and second member and which includes links through which the shackles of the
padlock are receivable in the manner recited above.
Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings. Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, shown is a lock in the
form of padlock 10. Padlock 10 has a lock body in the form of body 12 and two locking
members in the form of shackles 14 and 16. Shackles 14 and 16 are actuatable by inserting
and turning different keys (not shown) into the appropriate apertures in lock barrels 18 and
, respectively, in the well-known manner. Once so unlocked, shackles 14 and 16 can slide
out from (and back into) the lock body 12 in the manner described below.
As can best be seen in Figures 1 and 3, shackle 14 and lock barrel 18 are offset to one
side of the centre of body 12, whilst shackle 16 and lock barrel 20 are offset to the other side
of the centre. In this manner, the operation of the respective lock barrels 18, 20 and shackles
14, 16 is completely independent of each other. Furthermore, as shackles 14, 16 are located
on adjacent sides of the cuboid-shaped body 12, their independent operation will not be
hindered in any way by each other.
Lock barrels 18 and 20 are replaceable, such that loss or theft of a key that actuates
the respective lock does not necessitate the purchase of an entirely new padlock 10.
Replacing lock barrel 18 or 20 can be accomplished using techniques known in the art.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of padlock 10, in which a number of internal
components of the padlock are shown. The independent operation of shackles 14 and 16 in
padlock 10 is essentially the same as that for conventional padlocks and will therefore only
be very briefly described here. Lock barrels 18 and 20 are operatively associated with drivers
22 and 24 and ball bearings, shown generally as 26. As shown in Figure 5, when assembled,
ball bearing 26 (for example) is located inside chamber 28, and is moved into and out of
shackle receiving chamber 30 upon rotational movement of driver 22 (which is caused by
turning a key (not shown) in lock barrel 18). Another ball bearing 26 is similarly located
inside chamber 32 (see Figure 5), and is moved into and out of shackle receiving chamber 34
upon rotational movement of driver 22. Shackle 14 (for example) has two recesses 36 and 38
in its long and short arms respectively, which are adapted to receive the ball bearings 26, 26
therein when in a locked configuration such that the shackle 14 is not able to slidably move
with respect to the body 12. However, upon actuation of the lock barrel 18 and driver 22, the
ball bearings are caused to move out of the shackle receiving chambers 30 and 34 (and hence
recesses 38 and 36), thereby allowing the shackle 16 to sideably move with respect to the
body 12 whereupon its shorter arm exists the body 12 and is then accessible for threading
linkages (for example a link of a chain or the like, not shown) thereon. The shackles 14 and
16 are configured for securing a linkage, and consequently a chain.
The long arm of shackle 14 is retained within the lock body 12 and may be pivoted in
the shackle receiving chamber 34 in the conventional manner.
In use, different keys (not shown) are required to open shackles 14 and 16 of the
illustrated, but not all, embodiments. Thus, to return to the example provided earlier, where
padlock 10 is to be used to lock a gate (not shown), the site owner could loop a chain (not
shown) around and/or through the gate post and use shackle 14 to retain links of the chain
and thereby lock the chain to the gate post. The remainder of the chain (or a second chain)
can then be looped around and/or through the gate (or the gate post and gate), with shackle 16
used to retain appropriate links of that chain. Third parties who need to access the site could
be provided with a key which would enable them to open shackle 16, and hence unlock the
gate. However, as the site owner is the only person who can open shackle 14, then the
padlock 10 and chain remains securely affixed to the gate post, even should someone forget
to re-lock shackle 16. As would be appreciated, padlock 10 can be used in place of a regular
padlock to lock such a gate, but also advantageously prevents the padlock and/or chain from
being stolen.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a number of new and useful
results. For example, specific embodiments of the lock and padlock of the present invention
may provide one or more of the following advantages:
• locks having two or more independently operable locking members can be
configured for operation by two or more different users, the different users
potentially being able to access different areas or achieve different outcomes,
depending on which locking member they can open;
• padlocks having two (or more) shackles are less likely to be stolen, due to them
always being able to remain locked to a fixture during use; and
• a single lock or padlock can be used to independently lock two or more items.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All
such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except
where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the
word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive
sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or
addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
Claims (16)
1. A lock comprising a lock body and at least two independently operable locking members.
2. The lock of claim 1, wherein a first locking member is operable by a first locking member actuator and a second locking member is operable by a second locking member actuator.
3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the first locking member actuator is a first key and the second locking member actuator is a second key.
4. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least two lock barrels, each lock barrel being operatively associated with a respective locking member.
5. The lock of claim 4, wherein each lock barrel is configured to be removable from the lock body.
6. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the at least two independently operable locking members are spaced apart from each other.
7. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lock body is substantially cuboid in shape and the at least two independently operable locking members are located on adjacent sides of the lock body.
8. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the at least two independently operable locking members is a shackle.
9. The lock of claim 8, wherein each shackle is configured to slide between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an interior of the lock body.
10. The lock of claim 8 or claim 9, comprising two shackles.
11. The lock of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each shackle is unlockable using a different key.
12. A padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles.
13. A method for securing a chain to a barrier locking arrangement that comprises a movable barrier and a second member, the method comprising: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member in the closed position.
14. A method for locking a movable barrier to a second member, the method comprising: arranging a portion of a chain with respect of the movable barrier or second member; threading a first shackle of a padlock comprising at least two independently operable shackles through links of the chain and locking the first shackle, whereby the padlock and chain become locked to the movable barrier or second member; arranging another portion of chain with respect of the other of the movable barrier or second member in a manner whereby the movable barrier and second member are configured with the movable barrier in a closed position; and threading a second shackle of the padlock through one or more links of the other portion of chain and locking the second shackle, whereby the movable barrier is locked to the second member.
15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the movable barrier comprises a gate.
16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the second member comprises a second gate or a gate post.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2016903320 | 2016-08-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ734831A true NZ734831A (en) |
Family
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