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

This invention describes an electric drive mechanism (120) for translating a blocking member (126) to secure or release a lock. The lock is configured as a latch lock (100), a slide bolt padlock (200), a U-shackle padlock (300) or a snap padlock (400). The blocking member (126) is supported by two or more steel balls (130) disposed in helical grooves formed on a helical member (124) to provide a self-centering and low friction drive mechanism (120), which allows an electric motor (122) connected to the helical member to be small and of low power. Unobstructed movement of the blocking member (126) is provided by an alignment or detent mechanism (160, 217, 317) or torsion spring in the snap padlock (400). An electronic control board (140) allows electronic operation of the lock via an application in a smartphone. A PCB (121) located near the electric motor provides tamper-proofing.

This invention describes an electric drive mechanism (120) for translating a blocking member (126) to secure or release a lock. The lock is configured as a latch lock (100), a slide bolt padlock (200), a U-shackle padlock (300) or a snap padlock (400). The blocking member (126) is supported by two or more steel balls (130) disposed in helical grooves formed on a helical member (124) to provide a self-centering and low friction drive mechanism (120), which allows an electric motor (122) connected to the helical member to be small and of low power. Unobstructed movement of the blocking member (126) is provided by an alignment or detent mechanism (160, 217, 317) or torsion spring in the snap padlock (400). An electronic control board (140) allows electronic operation of the lock via an application in a smartphone. A PCB (121) located near the electric motor provides tamper-proofing.

Disclosed herein is a lock comprising a movably housed shackle stop, a shackle that is movably mounted and a shackle stop receiver for receiving the shackle stop to immobilise the shackle. The lock includes a shackle stop actuator is pivotable around a laterally orientated pivot axis and comprises a lateral cam surface configured to outwardly move the shackle stop into receipt by the shackle stop receiver. The lock includes a body configured to simultaneously receive a plurality of cylinder locks for actuation of the shackle stop actuator by any one of the plurality of cylinder locks.

Disclosed herein is a lock comprising a movably housed shackle stop, a shackle that is movably mounted and a shackle stop receiver for receiving the shackle stop to immobilise the shackle. The lock includes a shackle stop actuator is pivotable around a laterally orientated pivot axis and comprises a lateral cam surface configured to outwardly move the shackle stop into receipt by the shackle stop receiver. The lock includes a body configured to simultaneously receive a plurality of cylinder locks for actuation of the shackle stop actuator by any one of the plurality of cylinder locks.

A chain lock includes a top part pivotably connected to a bottom part. An engaging member is located in the bottom part. A lock cylinder, a rotary member and a rod are connected to each other. A torsion spring is biased between the lock cylinder and the rotary member. The torsion spring, the lock cylinder, the rotary member and the rod are located in a movable member to which a compression spring is mounted. Both of the movable member and the compression spring are received in the top part. A chain is secured in a first radial slot of the top part by the movable member, and the other end is inserted in the second radial slot of the bottom prat. The chain lock is locked without using the key, and the key is required to unlock the chain lock.

A combination lock has a touch panel to receive a keypad entry code indicative of a combination code for unlocking the lock with various access levels, including a first level and second level. The combination lock is also arranged to receive the combination code from a mobile device via wireless signals. The combination lock also has an independent key-lock mechanism for unlocking the lock with a key. The mobile device has an application icon, when activated, prompting the wireless signals indicative of the combination code. The mobile device also has a deactivation icon and re-activation associated with the combination code of the first level. The deactivation icon causes the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated. The re-activation icon terminates the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated.

A combination lock has a touch panel to receive a keypad entry code indicative of a combination code for unlocking the lock with various access levels, including a first level and second level. The combination lock is also arranged to receive the combination code from a mobile device via wireless signals. The combination lock also has an independent key-lock mechanism for unlocking the lock with a key. The mobile device has an application icon, when activated, prompting the wireless signals indicative of the combination code. The mobile device also has a deactivation icon and re-activation associated with the combination code of the first level. The deactivation icon causes the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated. The re-activation icon terminates the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated.

A linearly-actuated lock including a housing, a lock case received within the housing along an axis, and a lock barrel rotatable relative to the lock case between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock barrel includes tumblers and tumbler springs. The lock further includes a key insertable into the lock barrel to displace the tumblers relative to the lock barrel in a direction parallel to the axis and a sidebar extending through apertures of the lock barrel. The sidebar is engageable with a notch of the tumblers when the sidebar moves radially inward relative to the axis. The sidebar includes a cam surface slidable against at least one of the housing and the lock case when the lock barrel rotates. The sidebar also includes a projection having a single-ramped surface received within the notch of each tumbler when the lock barrel is in the unlocked state.

A linearly-actuated lock including a housing, a lock case received within the housing along an axis, and a lock barrel rotatable relative to the lock case between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock barrel includes tumblers and tumbler springs. The lock further includes a key insertable into the lock barrel to displace the tumblers relative to the lock barrel in a direction parallel to the axis and a sidebar extending through apertures of the lock barrel. The sidebar is engageable with a notch of the tumblers when the sidebar moves radially inward relative to the axis. The sidebar includes a cam surface slidable against at least one of the housing and the lock case when the lock barrel rotates. The sidebar also includes a projection having a single-ramped surface received within the notch of each tumbler when the lock barrel is in the unlocked state.