A vehicle lock assembly key hole cover having a flat or ovoid surface with an annular shoulder extending axially from the surface. The annular shoulder is formed with one of several features including a taper in cross-section, geometrically-shaped slots and elastomeric inserts to impart flexibility to the shoulder. An elastomeric sealing ring may be secured to an inner surface of the shoulder to create a seal and increase adhesion to a lock assembly. An adhesive patch may be used to enhance adhesion to a lock assembly.

A padlock is configured to be locked and unlocked by a key and includes a lock body having an internal cavity with a locking mechanism and a keyway extending through the lock body into the internal cavity to provide access to the locking mechanism by the key. The locking mechanism is configured to be selectively moved over a range of positions when the key is received therein to lock and unlock the padlock. The keyway has an eccentric profile that permits the key to be removed from the locking mechanism in only a single position of the range of positions.

A padlock with an associated locking mechanism is configured for use in a lock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key. The locking mechanism includes a lock cylinder with a key-receiving end configured to interface with the key and further includes a cam positioned at an axial end of the lock cylinder opposite the key-receiving end thereof. The cam is integrally connected thereto thereby restricting axial and rotational motion of the cam with respect to the lock cylinder and can be used to retain components of the locking mechanism (such as tumblers and springs) in the lock cylinder.

A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key can an internal biasing element that establishes a position of the locking mechanism within an internal cavity of the lock body of the padlock. The locking mechanism can be a linear lock configured to receive the key along an axial direction from the key-receiving axial end of the locking mechanism and internal cavity. The locking mechanism can include at least a lock cylinder (and sometimes other components) and having an axial length that is less than an axial distance between a pair of axial ends of the internal cavity. Notably, the padlock includes a biasing element received in the internal cavity of the lock body that biases the lock cylinder along the axial direction to maintain a key stop distance from a key stop on the lock cylinder to the key-receiving axial end of internal cavity.

A latch (10,120,200) includes a rotatable jaw (18, 124, 204) that engages and holds a striker (32,128,210) in a latched position. A rotatable pawl (28, 132, 214) in an engaged position is operative to hold the jaw in the latched position. Movement of the pawl to a disengaged position enables the jaw to move to an unlatched position and to disengage the striker. The pawl is movable from the engaged position to the disengaged position through operation of either an electrical actuator (84, 152, 236) or through movement of an actuating end (26, 142, 224) of the pawl by a cable or similar mechanical connector (36, 246).

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.

A chain lock includes a main body, a rotatable part, a cylinder, a plug provided with a tailpiece, and a chain. The main body defines therethrough a first channel and a second channel. The rotatable part defines therethrough a third channel. The rotatable part is rotatably mounted to the main body. The cylinder is slidably fitted into the first channel of the main body and biased by a compression spring. The plug together with the tailpiece is rotatably mounted in the cylinder. The chain includes a series of rings, one ring of which is located in the second channel of the main body and inserted through by the cylinder. In use, a second ring of the chain can be located in the third channel of the rotatable part to be inserted by the cylinder, and the plug can be rotated by a key to have the cylinder fixed in place.

A chain lock includes a main body, a rotatable part, a cylinder, a plug provided with a tailpiece, and a chain. The main body defines therethrough a first channel and a second channel. The rotatable part defines therethrough a third channel. The rotatable part is rotatably mounted to the main body. The cylinder is slidably fitted into the first channel of the main body and biased by a compression spring. The plug together with the tailpiece is rotatably mounted in the cylinder. The chain includes a series of rings, one ring of which is located in the second channel of the main body and inserted through by the cylinder. In use, a second ring of the chain can be located in the third channel of the rotatable part to be inserted by the cylinder, and the plug can be rotated by a key to have the cylinder fixed in place.

A padlock with an associated locking mechanism is configured for use in a lock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key. The locking mechanism includes a lock cylinder with a key-receiving end configured to interface with the key and further includes a cam positioned at an axial end of the lock cylinder opposite the key-receiving end thereof. The cam is integrally connected thereto thereby restricting axial and rotational motion of the cam with respect to the lock cylinder and can be used to retain components of the locking mechanism (such as tumblers and springs) in the lock cylinder.

A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key can an internal biasing element that establishes a position of the locking mechanism within an internal cavity of the lock body of the padlock. The locking mechanism can be a linear lock configured to receive the key along an axial direction from the key-receiving axial end of the locking mechanism and internal cavity. The locking mechanism can include at least a lock cylinder (and sometimes other components) and having an axial length that is less than an axial distance between a pair of axial ends of the internal cavity. Notably, the padlock includes a biasing element received in the internal cavity of the lock body that biases the lock cylinder along the axial direction to maintain a key stop distance from a key stop on the lock cylinder to the key-receiving axial end of internal cavity.