FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The field of invention generally relates to locks.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Locks are often used to prevent unauthorized access to an article or area. For example,
while traveling, many travelers attempt to lock or otherwise secure their luggage
or laptop cases from unauthorized access. Typically, luggage or other cases are secured
by affixing a locking mechanism to one or more access points. As another example,
a lock may be used to secure a trailer or storage unit. As still another example,
a lock may be used to secure a door or fence. Each lock may have an associated key
that is kept by the owner of the lock, to unlock the lock.
[0003] When a particular lock is not in use, it may be stored. For example, locks used to
secure luggage while traveling may be stored while the luggage is not in use. If a
lock is stored, the owner of the lock may also store the key associated with that
lock. In some cases, the key may be stored in the same general area as the lock, while
in other cases, the key may be stored separately from the lock. In some cases, a key
may include a chain which is then used to removably join the key to a shackle of the
lock. In this storage scenario, it may be inconvenient to remove the key from the
shackle. In other cases, a key may be placed in the locking mechanisms of the lock
for storage. In this case, the key may fall out of the locking mechanism, which may
result in the key being lost.
[0004] WO2006/075248 describes bicycle locks that connect together for convenient storage.
[0005] LU78043 describes a known lock cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Preferred or optional features
are set out in the independent claims thereto.
[0007] One embodiment of a lock includes a main body with a notch configured to receive
a first portion of a key. The lock also includes a shackle movably coupled to the
main body and configured to engage a second portion of the key. The shackle and the
notch are further configured to releasably secure the key to the lock when the first
portion of the key is received within the notch and the second portion of the key
is engaged with the shackle.
[0008] Another embodiment of a lock includes a main body with a first surface. The first
surface of the main body includes a notch, and includes a shackle extending from the
first surface. The shackle includes a pair of spaced apart, substantially linear portions.
The notch is positioned between the substantially linear portions of the shackle on
the first surface and is configured to receive a first portion of a key. The shackle
is configured to engage a second portion of the key. The shackle and the notch are
configured to releasably secure the key to the lock when the first portion of the
key is received within the notch and the second portion of the key is engaged with
the shackle.
[0009] One embodiment of manufacturing a lock includes joining a shackle with a main body
and forming a notch in the main body. The notch is configured to receive a first portion
of a key, and the shackle is shaped to engage a second portion of the key. The shackle
and the notch are configured to releasably secure the key to the lock when the first
portion of the key is received within the notch and the second portion of the key
is engaged with the shackle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a lock and key, with the
key stored between the shackle and main body of the lock.
Fig. 2 shows a front partial cross-section view of the lock and key of Fig. 1, viewed
along line 2-2 in Fig. 1.
[0011] Figs. 3A through 3F show side cross-section views of the lock and key of Fig. 1,
viewed along line 3-3 in Fig. 2.
[0012] Figs. 4A through 4D show various perspective views of the lock and the key of Fig.
1. Fig. 4A shows the key stored between the shackle and main body
of the lock. Fig. 4B demonstrates a force being applied to the key to separate the
key from the lock. Fig. 4C shows the key removed from the lock. Fig. 4D shows the
key positioned to be placed into the locking mechanism of the lock.
[0013] Figs 5A through 5D show front views of the lock and key of Fig. 1, with the key and
shackle in various configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Described herein is a lock capable of storing a key. The lock may include a main
body and a shackle. The main body may include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism
may selectively engage and release a shackle when operated with a key. The main body
may also include a notch on the side of the main body proximate the shackle. The shackle
may be in the shape of a "U" or the like. The cross section of the shackle viewed
along the shackle's length may generally be round or circular. The shackle, the main
body, and the key may be configured such that the key may be selectively secured to
the lock by positioning the key between the shackle and the main body. The shackle,
the main body, and the key may be further configured to remove the key from this second
position by applying a sufficient force to the key to disconnect it from the shackle.
The base portion of the key may be at least partially plastic or rubber, or any other
material that provides a sufficient amount of deformation to allow the key to be disconnected
from the shackle when secured to the lock.
[0015] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a lock 100 capable of storing a key 150. The
lock 100 may include a shackle 105 movably coupled to a main body 110. The shackle
105 may be defined by two shafts 106, 107, or other substantially linear and spaced
apart portions of the shackle, and a connecting link 108 that joins the two shafts
106, 107. The shafts 106, 107 of the shackle 105 may extend from a first surface 111
of the main body 110. The shackle 105 may be a "U" shaped hardened structure with
a rounded connecting link 108 (as shown in Fig. 1), and may be made of metal, plastic,
or any other suitably strong material. The metal may be anodized or treated in any
other fashion, and may also be a type of metal that is difficult to cut. Alternatively,
the shackle 105 may be a generally "U" shaped structure with a flat or straight connecting
link 108 (not shown in Fig. 1). The cross section of the shackle 105 may be cylindrical,
some other convex shape, or even a concave shape, as described below in more detail.
The connecting link 108 may be configured to engage a base portion 155 of a key 150,
and the shafts 106, 107 of the shackle 105 may be long enough to store the key 150
between the shackle 105 and the main body 110 of the lock 100. A first shaft 106 of
the shackle 105 may be permanently, telescopically, and rotatably coupled with the
main body 110 of the lock 100, while a second shaft 107 of the shackle 105 may be
releasably secured to the main body 110 via a locking mechanism 170. The second shaft
107 may have a notch 109 configured to selectively engage a pin 171 of the locking
mechanism 170.
[0016] The main body 110 of the lock 100 may include a notch 112 on the same first surface
111 from which the shafts 106, 107 may extend, and the notch 112 may be configured
to receive a lower part of the blade portion 157 of the key 150. The notch 112 may
be positioned between the shafts 106, 107 of the shackle 105. The notch 112 may be
wider than the blade 157 of the key 150 to allow the key 150 a small amount of play
when it is positioned within the notch 112. Alternatively, the notch 112 may be the
same width as the blade 157 of the key 150. The main body 110 may also include a locking
mechanism 170 (not visible in Fig. 1, but described below). The locking mechanism
170 may be accessed by the key 150 through a second surface 113 of the main body 110.
The main body 110 may generally be any shape, and may be made of metal or any other
suitably strong material.
[0017] Still with reference to Fig. 1, the key 150 may be selectively positioned between
the notch 112 and the shackle 105. The key 150 may include a first or base portion
155 and a second or blade portion 157. The base portion 155 may be a bow that may
facilitate applying torque to turn the key 150 when engaged with a locking mechanism
170, and the blade portion 157 may include one or more grooves, and/or one or more
bittings that may engage with pins, wafers, tumblers, etc. in a locking mechanism
170. The base portion 155 may be made of plastic, rubber, or any other material that
has some elasticity. Alternatively, the base portion 155 may have a metal core, with
a plastic, rubber, etc. over-coating or over-molding. The upper side of the base portion
155 may be configured to engage the shackle 105 of the lock 100, particularly the
connecting link portion 108 of the shackle 105. For example, if the connecting link
108 is round in cross-section along its length, as shown in Fig. 1, the base portion
155 of the key 150 may be circular, as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, if the connecting
link portion 108 of the shackle 105 is flat, the base portion 155 of the key 150 may
be squared, or have another shape such that the side furthest from the blade 157 of
the key 150 is flat and configured to engage with the flat connecting link 108 portion
of the shackle 105. A hole 159 may be defined through the base portion 155 of the
key 150, as shown in Fig. 1, through which a keychain or cord may be placed.
[0018] Referring now to Fig. 2, a front partial cross-section view of the lock 100 of Fig.
1 is shown, as viewed along line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Specifically, a cross-section is shown
for the shackle 105, key 150, and the portion of the main body 110 where the second
shaft 107 of the shackle 105 is releasably secured to the main body 110 via a pin
171 of the locking mechanism 170. The remainder of the main body 110 is not shown
in cross-section.
[0019] As described above, the first shaft 106 of the shackle 105 may be permanently, telescopically,
and rotatably coupled to the main body 110, and the second shaft 107 may be releasably
secured to the main body 110. As shown in Fig. 2, the second shaft 107 may have a
notch 109 that may be flat on one side and curved on another side. More specifically,
the flat side may be on the side closest to the main body 110, while the curved side
may be closest to the connecting link 108 of the shackle 105. This may facilitate
the releasable securement by the pin 171 of the locking mechanism 170, which may similarly
have one flat surface, and one curved surface.
[0020] For example, and as shown in Fig. 2, the flat surface of the pin 171 may engage with
the flat surface of the notch within the second shaft 107 when the second shaft 107
is secured within the main body 110. The flat-surface-to-flat-surface interface may
prevent the second shaft 107 from being withdrawn from the main body 110 of the lock
100 unless the pin 171 is retracted by the locking mechanism 170. On the other hand,
when the second shaft 107 is not secured within the main body 110 by the pin 171,
the curved surfaces of the pin 171 and the notch may facilitate the shaft 107 being
placed into the main body 110 for securement of the shackle 105 to the main body 110.
Specifically, as the shaft 107 is inserted into the main body 110, the lower edge
of the shaft 107 may apply force to the pin 171 of the locking mechanism 170, which
may temporarily retract due to the force of the lower edge of the shaft 107 on the
curved surface of the pin 171. Once the flat edge of the notch clears the flat edge
of the pin 171, however, the pin 171 may spring back and lock the shaft 107 within
the main body 110. The pin 171 may retract and spring back because it may be spring-loaded
by a bias member. Alternatively, the pin 171 may only retract and unretract if the
key 150 is used to unlock and lock the locking mechanism 170. Also, the pin 171 and
notch within the second shaft 107 may be different than as described above. In general,
any configuration may be used that releasably secures the second shaft 107 of the
shackle 105 to the main body 110 of the lock 100 via the locking mechanism 170.
[0021] Fig. 2 also shows a cross-section of a key 150 that may be used in conjunction with
the main body 110 and shackle 105 of the lock 100 described above. As shown in Fig.
2, the key's blade 157 may be metal or any other suitably rigid material, and the
metal may extend to the core portion of the base 155 of the key 150. The base portion
155 of the key 150 may have a plastic or rubber covering 156 that is formed to allow
the base portion 155 of the key 150 to engage the connecting link portion 108 of the
shackle 105.
[0022] Fig. 3A shows a partial cross-section view of the lock 100 of Fig. 1, as viewed along
line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Specifically, a cross-section is shown for the connecting link
108 of the shackle 105, the key 150, and the notch portion 112 of the main body 110
of the lock 100. The remainder of the main body 110 is not shown in cross-section.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 3A, the length L2 of the key 150 may be greater than a first distance
L1 between the connecting link 108 of the shackle 105 and the first surface 111 of
the main body 110, and the length L2 of the key 150 may be less than a second distance
L3 between the connecting link 108 of the shackle 105 and the notch 112 within the
main body 110. More specifically, in the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 3A, the
length L2 of the key 150 may be greater than the distance L1 between the lowest point
of the surface of the connecting link 108 closest to the main body 110 and the first
surface 111 of the main body, but the length L2 of the key 150 may be less than a
second distance L3 between the point at which the key 150 engages with the shackle
105 and the bottom of the notch 112 within the main body 110. Also, as shown in Fig.
3A, the width W1 of the blade 157 of the key 150 may be less than the width W2 of
the notch 112. Alternatively, the width W1 of the blade 157 of the key 150 may be
the same as the width W2 of the notch 112.
[0024] Still with reference to Fig. 3A, the key 150 may be metal, with plastic covering
the bow or base portion 155 of the key. Specifically, the metal comprising the blade
157 and the base 155 may not extend the entire length L2 of the key 150, as shown
in Fig. 3A. Instead, as shown in Fig. 3A, plastic 156 may cover part of the base portion
155 of the key 150 and the edge or rim of the base portion 155 may be shaped so as
to engage the connecting link 108 of the shackle 105. Although many shapes of the
connecting link 108 of the shackle 105 and the plastic (or other) covering for the
base portion 155 of the key 150 are possible, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3A shows
a connecting link 108 with at least a portion of the outer surface being generally
convex, and a rim or edge of the base portion 155 of the key 150 with a generally
concave outer surface that generally matches the shape of the convex outer surface
of the shackle 105 when viewed in cross section. The cross section of the connecting
link 108 along the length of the connecting link 108 may be generally circular or
round, and the perimeter edge of at least the portion of the base portion 155 that
engages the shackle 105 may be generally a "U" shaped channel or trough or the like.
In other words, the shackle 105 may have a concave outer surface along the portion
of the shackle that engages the key 150, while the key 150 may have a convex outer
surface along the portion of the key 150 that engages the shackle 105, such that the
surfaces that engage match or otherwise correspond to each other.
[0025] As discussed above, the entire length L2 of the key 150 (the blade 157 and the base
portion 155, including the perimeter edges of the covering on the base portion 155)
may be greater than the distance L1 between the first surface 111 of the main body
110 and the portion of the connecting link 108 closest to the main body 110, but may
be less than the distance L3 between the bottom of the notch 112 and the point at
which the perimeter edge of the base portion 155 of the key 150 engages with the connecting
link 108 of the shackle 105. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3A, the perimeter edges
of the base portion 155 may extend far enough up the arc of the shackle 105 when the
blade 157 of the key 150 is placed within the notch 112 on the main body 110, such
that the key 150 may sufficiently engage the shackle to resist lateral forces applied
to the key below a predetermined threshold to maintain securement of the key in the
lock, while also allowing for lateral forces applied to the key above the predetermined
threshold to release the key from the shackle.
[0026] Alternatively, the connecting link 108 may be round and concave, while the plastic
base portion 155 of the key 150 may be round and convex. Or, the connecting link 108
may be a convex triangular shape, while the base portion 155 of the key 150 is round
and concave. Many other alternative embodiments exist. Many other shapes and configurations
are possible, some but not all of which are shown in Figs. 3B to 3F. In Fig 3B, the
cross section of the connecting link 108 along the length of the connecting link 108
may be only partially rounded and convex (along that portion that engages the key
150), and the perimeter edge of at least the portion of the base portion 155 that
engages the shackle 105 may be generally a "U" shaped channel or trough or the like.
In Fig. 3C, the cross section of the connecting link 108 along the length of the connecting
link 108 may be at least partially triangular and convex (along that portion that
engages the key 150), and the perimeter edge of at least the portion off the base
portion 155 that engages the shackle 105 may be generally a "U" shaped channel or
trough or the like.
[0027] In Fig. 3D, the cross section of the connecting link 108 along the length of the
connecting link 108 may be partially rounded and concave, forming a "U" shape, while
the perimeter edge of at least the portion of the base portion 155 that engages the
shackle 105 may be generally round and convex. In Fig. 3E, the cross section of the
connecting link 108 has two rounded sides - a convex rounded side on the portion that
does not engage the base portion 155 of the key 150, and a concave rounded side on
the portion that does engage the base portion 155 of the key 150. The perimeter edge
of at least the portion of the base portion 155 that engages the shackle 105 may generally
be a convex triangular shape. In Fig. 3F, the cross section of the connecting link
108 may be convex and rounded on the portion that does not engage the base portion
155 of the key 150, and a concave triangular shape on the portion that does engage
the base portion 155 of the key 150, while the perimeter edge of at least the portion
of the base portion 155 that engages the shackle 105 may generally be a convex triangular
shape.
[0028] Many other configurations are possible. Regardless of which configuration is used,
only the portion of the connecting link 108 and key 150 that engage with one another
needs to be shaped in a particular way. Thus depending on the configuration of the
connecting link 108 and the base portion 155 of the key 150, the distances L1, L2,
and L3discussed above may be slightly different.
[0029] Figs. 4A through 4D show the key 150 in various positions relative to the lock 100.
Specifically, Fig. 4A shows the key 150 stored between the shackle 105 and the notch
112 within the main body 110 of the lock 100. When the key 150 is placed between the
shackle 105 and the notch 112, the length of the key 150 in relation to the other
components of the lock 100 in conjunction with a friction force between the shackle
105 and the key 150 may prevent the key 150 from falling out, and effectively store
the key 150. The friction force, however, may be overcome, as shown in Fig. 4B, which
demonstrates a force F (designated by an arrow) being applied to the key 150. Fig.
4C shows the key 150 separated from the lock 100. The configuration of the connecting
link 108 and the base portion 155 of the key 150 may facilitate removing the key 150
from the lock 100. For example, in some embodiments and as described above, the perimeter
edges of the base portion 155 of the key 150 may extend far enough up the arc of the
connecting link 108 of the shackle 105 when the blade 157 of the key 150 is placed
within the notch 112 on the main body 110 so that the key 150 is releasably secured
to the lock 100 by the friction force between the key 150 and the shackle 105. The
edges may, however, not extend so far up the arc of the connecting link 108 of the
shackle 105 that a force F above a given or predetermined threshold cannot overcome
the friction force to remove the key 150 from its stored configuration.
[0030] Fig. 4D shows the key 150 positioned to be placed into the locking mechanism 170
of the lock 100. The locking mechanism 170 may include several parts. As described
above, the locking mechanism 170 may include a pin 171 that selectively engages the
second shaft 107 of the shackle 105. The pin 171 may be retracted and unretracted
using the key 150. The locking mechanism 170 may further include pins, wafers, tumblers,
and such that may be arranged in a cylindrical compartment 172 into which the key
150 may be placed, and the various grooves and bittings of the blade of the key may
engage with the pins, wafers, tumblers, etc. to allow the pin 171 to be selectively
disengaged from the shackle 105. In general, any type of locking mechanism 170 may
be used, such as an integrated or modular locking mechanism 170. Also, the locking
mechanism 170 may be able to be unlocked using a master key 150. For example, in luggage
lock embodiments, the locking mechanism 170 may be able to be unlocked by a government
key 150, such as a Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) key in the United States, or any other regional, national, or
global security agency. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 170 may be configured
to be unlocked by two or more means. For example, the locking mechanism 170 may be
configured to be unlocked using the key 150, as well as a combination lock (not shown).
[0031] Figs. 5A through 5D show one embodiment of how the lock 100 and key 150 described
above may be operated. In Fig. 5A, the key 150 is placed within the locking mechanism
170 and rotated to retract the pin 171 of the locking mechanism 170, and thereby release
the second shaft 107 of the shackle 105 from the main body 110 of the lock 100. As
described above, the first shaft 106 may be permanently, rotatably and telescopically
coupled to the main body 110. As such when the second shaft 107 is released from the
main body 110 of the lock 100, the shackle 105 may telescope around the first shaft
106, relative to the main body 110. In Fig. 5b, the second shaft 107 is shown released
from the main body 110. The key 150 may then be removed from the locking mechanism
170. Fig. 5C shows the key 150 positioned within the notch 112 on the first surface
111 of the main body 110, and a force F (designated by an arrow) being applied to
the shackle 105. If the key 150 is properly aligned within the notch 112 and the shackle
105 when the force F is applied such that the second shaft 107 of the shackle 105
re-enters the main body 110 and is engaged with the pin 171 of the locking mechanism
170, the shackle 105 may engage the base portion 155 of the key 150, and the key 150
may be stored between the shackle 105 and the notch
112 in the main body 110 due to a friction force. Fig. 5D shows the key 150 in a stored
position between the shackle 105 and the notch 112 within the main body 110. Alternatively,
the key 150 may be positioned within the shackle 105 and notch 112 of the main body
110 even when the second shaft 107 of the shackle 105 is secured within the main body
110. The blade portion 157 of the key 150 may be placed in the notch 112 within the
main body 110, and a force F may be applied to overcome the friction between the base
portion 155 of the key 150 and the shackle 105, so that the base portion 155 of the
key 150 engages with the connecting link 108 of the shackle 105.
[0032] A variety of embodiments and variations of structures and methods are disclosed herein.
Where appropriate, common reference numbers and words were used for common structural
and method features. However, unique reference numbers and words were sometimes used
for similar or the same structural or method elements for descriptive purposes. As
such, the use of common or different reference numbers or words for similar or the
same structural or method elements is not intended to imply a similarity or difference
beyond that described herein.
[0033] References to "front," "middle," "rear," "back," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom,"
"side," as well as any other relative positional or directional descriptor are given
by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the particular embodiment(s)
described. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly
as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth
in the claims. Connection references (e.g. attached, coupled, connected, joined, and
the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between
a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection
references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in
fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims. In some
instances, components are described with reference to "ends" having a particular characteristic
or being connected with another part. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
the disclosed embodiments are not limited to components which terminate immediately
beyond their points of connection with other parts.
[0034] The apparatus and associated method in accordance with the present invention has
been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof. Therefore, the above
description is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
1. A lock and key assembly, comprising:
a key (150); and
a lock (100);
characterised by the lock (100) comprising a main body (110) with a notch (112) configured to receive
a first portion of the key (150);
a shackle (105) movably coupled to the main body (110) and configured to engage a
second portion of the key (150); and
the shackle (105) and notch (112) further configured to releasably secure the key
(150) to the lock (100) when the first portion of the key (150) is received within
the notch (112) and the second portion of the key (150) is engaged with the shackle
(105).
2. The lock and key assembly of claim 1, wherein the length (L2) of the key (150) is
greater than a first distance (L1) between the shackle (105) and the main body (110)
when the shackle (105) is positioned in a locked configuration, and the length (L2)
of the key (150) is less than a second distance (L3) between the shackle (105) and
the notch (112) when the shackle (105) is positioned in the locked configuration.
3. The lock and key assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the key (150) is positioned between
the notch (112) and the shackle (105) when secured to the lock (100) using the shackle
(105) and the notch (112)
4. The lock and key assembly of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the second portion of the
key (150) comprises a base portion (155).
5. The lock and key assembly of claim 4, wherein the base portion (155) of the key (150)
is cylindrical shaped.
6. The lock and key assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein at least a portion of a perimeter
edge of the base portion (155) of the key (150) is convex and at least a portion of
an outer surface of the shackle (105) is concave.
7. The lock and key assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein at least a portion of a perimeter
edge of the base portion (155) of the key (150) is concave and at least a portion
of an outer surface of the shackle (105) is convex.
8. The lock and key assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least a portion of the perimeter
edge of the base portion (155) of the key (150) is "U" shaped so as to define a channel,
and a cross section of the shackle (105) along the shackle (105) length is at least
partially round so as to be configured to engage the "U" shaped perimeter edge of
the base portion (155) of the key (150).
9. The lock and key assembly of claims 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the base portion (155)
is at least partially plastic.
10. The lock and key assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least partially plastic base
portion (156) is over-molded onto metal.
11. The lock and key assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (110)
further comprises a locking mechanism (170) configured to receive the first portion
of the key (150) and to selectively engage at least a portion of the shackle (105)
to the main body (110).
12. The lock and key assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion
of the key (150) is distal from the first portion of the key (150).
13. A method of manufacturing a lock and key assembly, the method comprising the act of:
forming a key (150); and
forming a lock (100):
characterised in that
the act of forming the lock (100) comprises joining a shackle (105) with a main body
(110);
and
forming a notch (112) in the main body (110);
wherein the notch (112) is configured to receive a first portion of the key (150),
the shackle (105) is shaped to engage a second portion of the key (150), and the shackle
(105) and notch (112) are configured to releasably secure the key (150) to the lock
(100) when the first portion of the key (150) is received within the notch (112) and
the second portion of the key (150) is engaged with the shackle (105).
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the length (L2) of the key (150) is greater than a
first distance (L1) between the shackle (105) and the main body (110) when the shackle
(105) is positioned in a locked configuration, and the length (L2) of the key (150)
is less than a second distance (L3) between the shackle (105) and the notch (112)
when the shackle (105) is positioned in the locked configuration.
15. The method of claim 13 or 14 wherein the key (150) is positioned between the notch
(112) and the shackle (105) when secured to the lock (100) using the shackle (105)
and the notch (112).
16. The method of claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the second portion of the key (150) comprises
a base portion (155), and the base portion (155) is at least partially plastic.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least partially plastic base portion (155)
is over-molded onto metal.
1. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung, mit:
einem Schlüssel (150); und
einem Schloss (100);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das Schloss (100) aufweist:
einen Hauptkörper (110) mit einer Kerbe (112), die dazu konfiguriert ist, einen ersten
Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) aufzunehmen;
einen Bügel (105), der beweglich mit dem Hauptkörper (110) verbunden und dazu konfiguriert
ist, mit einem zweiten Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) in Eingriff zu kommen; und
wobei der Bügel (105) und die Kerbe (112) des Weiteren dazu konfiguriert sind, den
Schlüssel (150) abnehmbar an dem Schloss (100) zu befestigen, wenn der erste Abschnitt
des Schlüssels (150) in der Kerbe (112) aufgenommen ist und der zweite Abschnitt des
Schlüssels (150) mit dem Bügel (105) in Eingriff steht.
2. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Länge (L2) des Schlüssels
(150) größer ist als ein erster Abstand (L1) zwischen dem Bügel (105) und dem Hauptkörper
(110), wenn sich der Bügel (105) in einer geschlossenen Konfiguration befindet, und
die Länge (L2) des Schlüssels (150) kleiner ist als ein zweiter Abstand (L3) zwischen
dem Bügel (105) und der Kerbe (112), wenn sich der Bügel (105) in der geschlossenen
Konfiguration befindet.
3. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei sich der Schlüssel (150)
zwischen der Kerbe (112) und dem Bügel (105) befindet, wenn er unter Verwendung des
Bügels (105) und der Kerbe (112) an dem Schloss (100) befestigt ist.
4. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei der zweite Abschnitt
des Schlüssels (150) einen Basisabschnitt (155) aufweist.
5. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der Basisabschnitt (155) des
Schlüssels (150) zylinderförmig ist.
6. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei wenigstens ein Teil
des Umfangsrands des Basisabschnitts (155) des Schlüssels (150) konvex ist und wenigstens
ein Teil der Außenfläche des Bügels (105) konkav ist.
7. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei wenigstens ein Teil
des Umfangsrands des Basisabschnitts (155) des Schlüssels (150) konkav ist und wenigstens
ein Teil der Außenfläche des Bügels (105) konvex ist.
8. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 7, wobei der wenigstens eine Teil des
Umfangsrands des Basisabschnitts (155) des Schlüssels (150) "U"-förmig ist, um einen
Kanal zu definieren, und der Querschnitt des Bügels (105) entlang der Länge des Bügels
(105) wenigstens teilweise rund ist, um so konfiguriert zu sein, dass er in den "U"-förmigen
Umfangsrand des Basisabschnitts (155) des Schlüssels (150) eingreift.
9. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach den Ansprüchen 4, 5, 6, 7 oder 8, wobei der Basisabschnitt
(155) wenigstens teilweise plastisch ist.
10. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach Anspruch 9, wobei der wenigstens teilweise plastisch
Basisabschnitt (156) auf Metall aufgespritzt ist.
11. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der
Hauptkörper (110) des Weiteren einen Schließmechanismus (170) aufweist, der dazu konfiguriert
ist, den ersten Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) aufzunehmen und wenigstens einen Abschnitt
des Bügels (105) selektiv mit dem Hauptkörper (110) in Eingriff zu bringen.
12. Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der
zweite Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) von dem ersten Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150)
fern ist.
13. Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Schloss- und Schlüsselanordnung, wobei das Verfahren
die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Herstellen eines Schlüssels (150); und
Herstellen eines Schlosses (100);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Vorgang des Herstellens des Schlosses (100) das Verbinden eines Bügels (105) mit
einem Hauptkörper (110) umfasst; und
Herstellen einer Kerbe (112) im Hauptkörper (110);
wobei die Kerbe (12) dazu konfiguriert ist, einen ersten Abschnitt des Schlüssels
(150) aufzunehmen, der Bügel (105) geformt ist, um mit einem zweiten Abschnitt des
Schlüssels (150) in Eingriff zu kommen, und der Bügel (105) und die Kerbe (112) dazu
konfiguriert sind, den Schlüssel (150) abnehmbar an dem Schloss (100) zu befestigen,
wenn der erste Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) in der Kerbe (112) aufgenommen ist und
der zweite Abschnitt des Schlüssels (150) mit dem Bügel (105) in Eingriff ist.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei die Länge (L2) des Schlüssels (150) größer ist,
als ein erster Abstand (L1) zwischen dem Bügel (105) und dem Hauptkörper (110), wenn
sich der Bügel (105) in einer geschlossenen Konfiguration befindet, und die Länge
(L2) des Schlüssels (150) kleiner ist als ein zweiter Abstand (L3) zwischen dem Bügel
(105) und der Kerbe (112) ist, wenn sich der Bügel (105) in der geschlossenen Konfiguration
befindet.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, wobei sich der Schlüssel (150) zwischen der Kerbe
(112) und dem Bügel (105) befindet, wenn er unter Verwendung des Bügels (105) und
der Kerbe (112) an dem Schloss (100) befestigt ist.
16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, 14 oder 15, wobei der zweite Abschnitt des Schlüssels
(150) einen Basisabschnitt (155) aufweist und der Basisabschnitt (155) wenigstens
teilweise plastisch ist.
17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei der wenigstens teilweise plastische Basisabschnitt
(155) auf Metall aufgespritzt ist.
1. Assemblage de verrou et de clé, comprenant :
une clé (150) ; et
un verrou (100) ;
caractérisé en ce que
le verrou (100) comprend :
un corps principal (110) avec une encoche (112) configurée pour recevoir une première
portion de la clé (150) ;
une manille (105) couplée, de manière à pouvoir se déplacer, au corps principal (110)
et configurée pour se mettre en prise avec une deuxième portion de la clé (150) ;
et
la manille (105) et l'encoche (112) étant en outre configurées pour fixer, de manière
à pouvoir être libérée, la clé (150) au verrou (100) lorsque la première portion de
la clé (150) est reçue à l'intérieur de l'encoche (112) et la deuxième portion de
la clé (150) est mise en prise avec la manille (105).
2. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la longueur (L2)
de la clé (150) est supérieure à une première distance (L1) entre la manille (105)
et le corps principal (110) lorsque la manille (105) est positionnée dans une configuration
verrouillée, et la longueur (L2) de la clé (150) est inférieure à une deuxième distance
(L3) entre la manille (105) et l'encoche (112) lorsque la manille (105) est positionnée
dans la configuration verrouillée.
3. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la clé (150)
est positionnée entre l'encoche (112) et la manille (105) lorsqu'elle est fixée au
verrou (100) en utilisant la manille (105) et l'encoche (112).
4. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel la deuxième
portion de la clé (150) comprend une portion de base (155).
5. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la portion de
base (155) de la clé (150) est de forme cylindrique.
6. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel au moins
une portion d'un bord de périmètre de la portion de base (155) de la clé (150) est
convexe et au moins une portion d'une surface extérieure de la manille (105) est concave.
7. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel au moins
une portion d'un bord de périmètre de la portion de base (155) de la clé (150) est
concave et au moins une portion d'une surface extérieure de la manille (105) est convexe.
8. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'au moins une
portion du bord de périmètre de la portion de base (155) de la clé (150) est en forme
de U afin de définir un canal, et une coupe transversale de la manille (105) dans
le sens de la longueur de la manille (105) est au moins partiellement ronde afin d'être
configurée pour se mettre en prise avec le bord de périmètre en forme de U de la portion
de base (155) de la clé (150).
9. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 4, 5, 6, 7 ou 8, dans lequel
la portion de base (155) est au moins partiellement en plastique.
10. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la portion de
base au moins partiellement en plastique (156) est surmoulée sur un métal.
11. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le corps principal (110) comprend en outre un mécanisme de verrouillage
(170) configuré pour recevoir la première portion de la clé (150) et pour mettre en
prise sélectivement au moins une portion de la manille (105) avec le corps principal
(110).
12. Assemblage de verrou et de clé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la deuxième portion de la clé (150) est distale de la première portion
de la clé (150).
13. Procédé de fabrication d'un assemblage de verrou et de clé, le procédé comprenant
:
la formation d'une clé (150) ; et
la formation d'un verrou (100) ;
caractérisé en ce que
la formation du verrou (100) comprend la jonction d'une manille (105) à un corps principal
(110) ; et
la formation d'une encoche (112) dans le corps principal (110) ;
dans lequel l'encoche (112) est configurée pour recevoir une première portion de la
clé (150), la manille (105) est façonnée pour se mettre en prise avec une deuxième
portion de la clé (150), et la manille (105) et l'encoche (112) sont configurées pour
fixer, de manière à pouvoir être libérée, la clé (150) au verrou (100) lorsque la
première portion de la clé (150) est reçue à l'intérieur de l'encoche (112) et la
deuxième portion de la clé (150) est mise en prise avec la manille (105).
14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel la longueur (L2) de la clé (150) est
supérieure à une première distance (L1) entre la manille (105) et le corps principal
(110) lorsque la manille (105) est positionnée dans une configuration verrouillée,
et la longueur (L2) de la clé (150) est inférieure à une deuxième distance (L3) entre
la manille (105) et l'encoche (112) lorsque la manille (105) est positionnée dans
la configuration verrouillée.
15. Procédé selon la revendication 13 ou 14, dans lequel la clé (150) est positionnée
entre l'encoche (112) et la manille (105) lorsqu'elle est fixée au verrou (100) en
utilisant la manille (105) et l'encoche (112).
16. Procédé selon la revendication 13, 14 ou 15, dans lequel la deuxième portion de la
clé (150) comprend une portion de base (155) et la portion de base (155) est au moins
partiellement en plastique.
17. Procédé selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la portion de base au moins partiellement
en plastique (155) est surmoulée sur un métal.