TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure concerns padlocks with a sliding bolt.

PRIOR ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

WO 90/15910

WO 98/39538

WO 06/130660

WO 06/136851

WO 98/39539

WO 01/59238

PCT Application PCT/IL2013/050710

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

Padlocks, typically electronically-operated, are disclosed in WO 90/15910, WO 98/39538, WO 06/130660 and WO 06/136851. In such padlocks, unlocking is induced by an electrical system upon verification of an unlocking code received from a user.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure concerns novel padlocks for secure outdoor applications. Several aspects are disclosed, which will be referred to in this General Description as "first aspect", "second aspect", "third aspect", "fourth aspect" and "fifth aspect". As will become clear in the description below, these aspects may be utilized independently but may also be combined and implemented in one padlock (as is the case, for example, in the padlock illustrated in the drawings and described below). Furthermore, the limitations described in connection with one aspect may be implemented in each of the other aspects. For convenience, the various limitations will be described with reference to one aspect only and will not be repeated when describing other aspects, it being understood that they may be implemented also in padlock of other aspects.

By a first aspect of this disclosure there is provided a padlock that comprises a lock body, a sliding bolt, internal components and a control utility. The lock body has upper, lower, and side faces. The upper face is defined by two arms that extend upwards and define between them a functional space, one that is intended to accommodate a closure element to be locked by the padlock, which may, for example be pad-eyes of a closure or a locking accessory (such as the locking accessory of the fourth aspect that is described below). The two arms have two horizontal co-axial bores defining a bolt axis, including a distal bore in said first arm and a proximal bore in the second arm. The proximal bore ends with a proximal external opening at a side face of the second arm. A sliding bolt is accommodated in said distal and said proximal bores and is axially slidably displaceable (namely by sliding within the two co-axial bores) in a distal to proximal direction between a closed state and an open state and vice versa. In the closed state a distal end portion of said bolt is accommodated in said distal bore and a proximal end portion is accommodated in said proximal bore with a mid-portion in between the two end portions spanning through said space and when in use engages in this state said closure element.

In the following description the terms "proximal" and "distal" may be used to define relative positions parallel to the axis that is defined by the co-axial bores. The distal end is that which is away from the proximal external opening and the proximal end is that proximal thereto. Thus, for example, a proximal face of a recess may be that closer to the proximal bore or its proximal end; etc. The terms "distally" and "proximally" may be used, in reference to a displacement to mean a displacement towards the distal or towards the proximal ends, respectively. Thus, for example, a distally oriented displacement of the bolt means displacement toward the distal end; and a proximally oriented displacement of the bolt means displacement toward the proximal end. When "distally" and "proximally" are used in reference to an orientation this means an orientation that is towards a, respective, distal end and a proximal end. The internal components of a padlock of the first aspect comprise a vertically displaceable and upwardly biased locking pin that is reciprocally displaceable between locking and releasing positions. The locking pin has a locking head which in the locking position engages the sliding bolt to thereby hold the bolt in the closed state (namely inhibit its sliding into the open state).

Said internal components also comprise a vertically displaceable and upwardly biased indication pin that has an engaging head for engaging the sliding bolt in a manner such that sliding of the blot causes a vertical, downward displacement of the indication pin. The engaging head may, for example, be accommodated in a recess with curved or slanted side walls whereupon sliding of the bolt will guide the engaging head and hence the indication pin to be downwardly displaced. The arrangement is such so that this downward displacement activates a control utility of the lock, e.g. through interaction with an indication microswitch (which may be an engagement of the microswitch, a disengagement from a constantly engaged microswitch or any other type of interaction).

The internal components of a padlock of the first aspect also comprise an electric motor and a motor-activated rotatable cam that is coupled thereto. The electric motor is rotatable about an axle defining a motor axis that is typically substantially parallel to the bolt axis. The cam is rotatable by the motor between blocking and unblocking states. In the blocking state the cam prevents movement of the locking pin from the locking into the releasing position and in the unblocking state it permits such movement.

The padlock may comprise a coupling member for coupling the motor's axle with the rotatable cam.

By one embodiment the coupling member comprises a buffering arrangement with the capability to store some of the mechanical energy of the motor and then transfer it to the cam. This, among others, serves to protect the motor against damage that may have been imparted had the motor been connected directly (or rigidly) to the cam in the event that the cam's rotation is blocked or at least partially blocked. The buffering arrangement may comprise an elastic element that is coupled to and in fact links the motor's axle and the cam. Consequently, the rotation of the motor initially strains the elastic element and release of this strain induces a rotational force on the cam leading to its rotation. By one embodiment of the buffering arrangement, the coupling member comprises a curved space that is curved about the motor axis and houses one or more sliding blocks and one or more arched elastic elements associated therewith that are fitted in said space. The space may typically be a formed on a face of the coupling member that is perpendicular to said motor axis. Said space may be a partially or completely closed space or may be a groove formed on said perpendicular face. The one or more blocks are coupled to the motor, wherein (i) rotation of the motor forces the at least one block to slide within said space to strain the at least one elastic element, and (ii) release of the strain causes rotation of the cam. The space may typically, although not exclusively, define a complete circle about the motor axis.

By one embodiment the elastic element is an arched spring and said one or more blocks consists of two blocks to be referred to for convenience as a first and a second block (the "first" and "second" having no hierarchical significance), each of which extending in aid space between two ends, including a first, spring-engaging, end and a second end juxtaposing the second end of the other sliding block (here also, the "first" and "second" indications for the ends being for convenience only). The two second ends define a space between them, which will be referred to herein as block space. Two pins, including a coupling-pin that is linked to or is integral with the coupling member and a cam-pin that is linked to or is integral with the cam, extend in opposite directions parallel to the motor axis into the block space. The motor of this embodiment has two extreme rotational states that will be referred to for convenience as first rotational state and a second rotational state. The motor is configured to rotate in two opposite rotational directions including a first rotational direction between the first and the second state and a second rotational direction between the second to the first state. Rotation of the motor in said first direction causes the sliding of the first block against the urging force of the arched spring to thereby strain the spring, which strain applies a biasing force on the second block that applies a force on said cam pin to thereby cause the cam to rotate from the blocking to the unblocking state. Rotation of the motor in said second direction causes the sliding of the second block against the urging force of the arched spring to thereby strain the spring, which strain applies a biasing force on the first block that applies a force on said cam pin to thereby cause the cam to rotate from the unblocking to the blocking state. The control utility is operable to activate the motor to rotate the cam between the blocking and the unblocking states upon receipt of an opening command. The opening command may be through any one of suitable means, such as:

- through optical signals, which requires and optical sensor associated with the control utility;

- radio frequency (RF) signal which requires an appropriate receiver associate with the control utility; and

- an acoustic signal, e.g. a knocking code such as that described in PCT publication WO 98/39539, which requires an appropriate acoustic signal receiver such as that described in published PCT application WO 01/59238, the content of both of which being incorporated herein by reference for its pertinent parts.

By one embodiment of the first aspect the sliding bolt has a first, downward- facing recess at the distal end portion of the bolt for engagement with the locking head of the locking pin such that when said cam is in the blocking state the sliding bolt is held in the closed state. The first recess, by this embodiment, is shaped such that when said cam is in the unblocking state, the sliding bolt can slide while guiding the movement of the locking pin from the locking to the releasing position.

By another embodiment of the first aspect the sliding bolt has a second, downward-facing recess at the proximal end portion of the bolt for engagement with the engaging head of the indication pin shaped such that sliding of the sliding bolt causes a downward displacement of the indication pin to thereby engage an indication microswitch that activates the control utility.

By another embodiment of the first aspect the bolt has a small degree of freedom for axial displacement even in its locked state from a rest position into a forced axially displaced position. This axial displacement has the purpose of causing a downward displacement of the indication pin to thereby induce a signal to switch the control utility into an operative state. The switching is typically for a limited time period to permit an operator to enter an unlocking code; and if no such code is delivered in such a time period the control utility would again shut off. This may be important to elevate security and also to preserve life of a battery incorporated within the lock. Such a degree of freedom may be provided, for example, by (i) configuring the distal bore such that a clearance is maintained in the closed state between the distal end of the bolt and the distal end of the distal bore, and (ii) shaping the first recess to be dimensioned in the axial direction such so that a clearance is maintained in the closed state at the proximal side of the recess between the locking head and the recess' proximal end. As a result, the bolt may have a small degree of freedom for axial displacement and may, thus, be slightly distally displaced even when in the locked state. Such a slight displacement is sufficient to cause a slight downward displacement of the indication pin.

By an embodiment of the first aspect the upward bias of the indication pin exerts a force on the slanted walls of said second recess to thereby cause its return from the forced displaced position into the rest position.

By an embodiment of the first aspect, a transient interaction of the indication pin with the indication microswitch activates the control utility; while either an engagement of the microswitch or disengagement of the microswitch, that is disengaged when the indication pin is in its most upward position state or disengaged in that position, respectively, over a time period provides the control utility with an indication that the bolt is in the open state in that time period.

By an embodiment of the first aspect, the second recess is linked to a guiding groove extending distally from the second recess and shaped to receive said engaging head during the sliding displacement of the bolt toward the open state. The groove may have a distal end that is shaped to block further proximal displacement of the bolt upon engagement of the engaging head with said distal end.

By an embodiment of the first aspect, the proximal end of the bolt is connected to a grip, the connection being breakable and designed to break when attempting to forcefully pull the grip in the proximal direction in the locked state of the padlock.

By an embodiment of the first aspect, at least two of the side faces of the lock's body, and preferably all, comprise external surface corrugations.

By an embodiment of the first aspect, the padlock comprises two batteries, one for powering the motor and the other for powering other electronic elements of the padlock.

Each of the locking pin and of the indication pin are preferably associated with a sealing O-ring fitted around it to impart a liquid-tight seal and thereby prevent liquids from flowing along the pins. Typically, each of the locking pin and of the indication pin is fitted within respective vertical locking pin space and an indication pin space, and the O-ring is fitted between a downwardly-biased washer and a bottom face of the pin space. The downward bias of the washer and the upward bias of the pins is, typically, through helical springs fitted around the pins.

By one embodiment the rotatable cam is associated with a cam microswitch. Interaction of the cam (when it is rotated) with that microswitch, which may be an engagement of a normally (namely, when the cam is in its blocking state) disengaged microswitch or a disengagement from a normally engaged microswitch, provides an open indication to the control utility. In addition, the cam microswitch may have another, tampering-preventing utility. In an event of a tampering attempt the cam, which may have a small degree of freedom, may be induced to transiently rotate and consequently transiently interact with the cam microswitch (namely engaged or disengage the microswitch, respectively). The control utility may be configured so that in the event of receipt of a transient signal from the cam microswitch it will induce the electric motor to rotate the cam into the blocking state.

By one embodiment of the first aspect, the electronic components that comprise the control utility and at least one battery, are housed in a bottom portion of the lock and are environmentally sealed from other portions of the lock.

By one embodiment of the invention the sequence of opening of the lock includes the following steps:

User induces a slight displacement of the bolt (permitted by its small degree of freedom), e.g. by pushing it in a distal direction.

This induces a transient interaction, e.g. engagement of the indication microswitch by the indication pin. The upward bias of the indication pin that pushes on the slanted wall of the second recess causes the bolt to revert to its original, rest, closed state.

The transient interaction, e.g. engagement of the indication microswitch activates the control utility. The activation of the control utility into its active mode is, typically, for a limited time period. When in the active mode the control utility can receive and be responsive to lock opening signal from outside.

Upon receipt of an external signal (e.g. from a user held access control device), while the control utility is in its active mode, the control utility induces the activation of the motor to thereby cause it to rotate the cam from the blocking to the unblocking state. Once the cam is rotated into the unlocking state the locking pin is free to being downwardly displaced and consequently the bolt can be pulled, e.g. through pulling on the grip at the proximal end of the bolt, into the open state.

The cam microswitch, which may be normally disengaged when the cam is in its blocking state, and then become engaged upon rotation of the cam to the unblocking state as well as the indication microswitch, which may be disengaged at rest and engaged when the bolt is in the open state and the indication pin is, consequently, downwardly displaced, may jointly provide an lock open indication to the control utility.

The locking sequence of the lock may include the following steps:

The bolt is axially displaced in a proximal-to-distal direction and once being substantially at the end of its path the second recess come to lie over the engagement head of the indication pin which can, therefore, upwardly move (in view its upward bias) until the engagement head is received within said recess. This causes the disengagement of the indication microswitch.

At this position, also, the first recess comes to lie over the locking head of the locking pin which can, therefore, upwardly displaces until said head is accommodated within the first recess.

The disengagement of the indication microswitch induces the control utility to, in turn, induce the motor to rotate the cam into the blocking state.

Either immediately or after a defined short lag time the control utility shuts off and remains in this state until reactivated in another opening sequence.

By a second aspect of this disclosure there is provided a padlock that comprises a sliding bolt, a locking pin and a motor-activated rotatable cam. The sliding bolt is accommodated within co-axial horizontal bores and axially slidably displaceable in a distal to proximal direction between a closed state and an open state and vice versa. The locking pin is vertically displaceable and upwardly biased that can reciprocate between locking and releasing positions, and has a locking head which in the locking position engages the sliding bolt to thereby hold the bolt in the closed state. The cam, which is coupled to a motor's axle, is rotatable by said axle between blocking and unblocking states. In the blocking state the cam prevents movement of the locking pin from the locking into the releasing position and in the unblocking state it permits such movement. The cam is coupled to the axle in a manner that permits linear reciprocal displacement of the cam with respect to the axle between a normal state and a forced state and is biased into the normal state. The cam is accommodated and rotates in a cam space that has a bottom wall; and when the cam is in the blocking state the liner displacement of the cam out of the normal state is limited by the bottom wall. Thereby an attempt tamper the lock by pressing the locking head of the locking pin or an attempt to forcefully proximally pull the bolt while the padlock is in the locked state, that causes a downward displacement of the pin, will cause a downward displacement of the cam until arrested by said bottom wall without damaging the motor's axle.

A padlock according to a third aspect of this disclosure comprises an electronic control utility, an optical receiver connected to the control utility, for receiving optically-coded data from an external source and transmitting data to the control utility based thereon and an optically transmissive window at an external face portion of the padlock to permit the passage of the optically-coded data along an optical axis to the optical receiver. The optical receiver is held on a carrier that is configured for breaking in the event of applying a mechanical force parallel to said axis, e.g., after breaking the window. This is also an anti-tampering measure. The carrier may be a planar element with a breakable portion and is fixed to another element of the lock through such a breakable portion.

Provided by a fourth aspect of this disclosure, is a padlock assembly that comprises a padlock and a locking accessory assembly. The lock body has upper, lower, and side faces. The upper face is defined by two arms extending upwards and defining a functional space that extends between them. Two horizontal co-axial bores are formed in said arms, including a distal bore in said first arm and a proximal bore in the second arm with a proximal external opening at a side face of the second arm. A sliding bolt is accommodated within co-axial horizontal bores and is axially slidably displaceable in a distal to proximal direction between a closed state and an open state and vice versa.

The locking accessory assembly comprises a closure fitting pin and an adapter. The closure fitting pin has an elongated portion of a first cross-sectional dimension extending between a head portion with a larger cross-sectional dimension than the elongated portion and a tail portion configured with a recess that matches the contours of a portion of an external surface of the bolt. The property that the head has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the elongated portion is meant to denote that an opening that will be shaped to relatively snugly accommodate the elongated portion will not permit passages therethrough of the head portion; e.g. the former may have a circular cross-section of one diameter and the head of another diameter larger than the former, it may have different shapes, the former passing the opening the latter not, etc.

Said adapter has a first adapter bore and a second adapter bore, the two bores being substantially normally oriented and partially intersecting with one another. The adapter is configured to be received within said functional space with the bolt being accommodating within said first adapter bore and with the tail portion of the closure fitting accommodated within said second adapter bore such that said recess fits around a portion of the external surface of the bolt which is thereby arrested from retraction out of said second adapter bore.

Provided by the fifth aspect is a padlock that comprises a lock body that houses internal components of the lock and at least one removable, external wall element. The lock comprises a generally planar sealing member that is disposed between the lock body and an internal face of the at least one external wall element. The sealing member has a first face that faces said internal face and a second face. The sealing member also comprises a gasket and a plurality of resilient elements in said first face. The gasket is disposed between the second face and an opposite surface in said body and is configured for providing a fluid-tight seal between said second face and said opposite surface to thereby seal the lock's interior from the external environment. The plurality of resilient elements (typically, but not exclusively, four such elements) are in said first face configured for exerting a bearing force onto said external wall element.

The gasket is typically held by or fitted into in a gasket seat in said second face.

The resilient element typically comprises a spring and may also comprise a surface engaging element, typically a plunger held on top of the spring at the end facing said internal face and adapted for bearing onto said internal face. Such a plunger may be rounded, e.g. may be a ball-bearing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is an external perspective view of a padlock according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Fig. IB is a perceptive view from the direction of arrow I in Fig. 1A with the bolt removed to show the horizontal co-axial bores.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section along lines II-II in Fig. 1 A.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section in Fig. 2 showing a rotatable cam.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section along lines IV-IV from the direction of arrow III in Fig. 2 with the cam in the blocking position.

Fig. 5 shows the same cross-section of Fig. 4, with the cam rotated to the unblocking position.

Figs. 6A-6C show sequences in operation of the padlock.

Fig. 7 A shows a longitudinal cross-section through a padlock having a general external structure similar to that of the padlock shown in Fig. 1 A with the section being in a plane perpendicular to that defined by arrows II-II in Fig. 1A. This padlock comprises a coupling member with a buffering arrangement and is shown in a blocking state.

Fig. 7B is the same cross-section with the cam removed to show internal elements of the buffering arrangement.

Fig. 7C is a close-up view of the coupling arrangement viewed from the direction of arrow VII in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A is the same view as Fig. 7A with the cam in an unblocking state.

Fig. 8B is the same view as Fig. 7B with the cam in an unblocking state.

Figs. 9A and 9B are in a state corresponding to Figs. 7A-8A, 7B-8B, respectively, in a cross-sectional view in a plane parallel and below to that of Figs. 7A, 7B, 8 A. 8B to show the sensor arrangement that monitors rotation of the cam's state.

Fig. 10 shows a side view of the padlock of Fig. 1 in the opposite direction to that seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 illustrates an optical receiver of the padlock.

Fig. 12 shows a padlock according to an embodiment of the disclosure associated with a locking accessory assembly.

Fig. 13A is an exploded view of the accessory assembly and of the bolt, in isolation. Fig. 13B is a partial longitudinal cross-section along lines X-X in Fig. 12 showing the locking assembly locked on the bolt in isolation.

Fig. 14 shows a cross-section through lines XI-XI in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 shows a lock, according to the embodiment of the disclosure, accommodated in a closure fitting.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an external wall element and the sealing member, seen in cross-section in Fig. 2.

Fig. 17 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the external wall element and the sealing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, in the General Description, the current disclosure has four different aspects which may function independently in various padlocks or may be combined together in one padlock. The padlock illustrated in the specific embodiments combines, as will be clarified in the description below, four of the aspects which are referred to above as "first aspect ^' , "second aspect", "third aspect", "fifth aspect" and may be combined with a locking accessory assembly of the "fourth aspect". This will be appreciated as a specific and non-limiting example of the invention.

Reference is first being made to Figs. 1 A, IB and 2 showing a padlock generally designated 100 having a lock body 102 with a corrugated or wavy external surface 104, formed on its side faces. This structure is intended to inhibit tampering as disclosed in co-owned PCT Application PCT/IL2013/050710. The padlock has a lower face 106 and an upper face 108, defined by two arms 110, 112 that extend upwards and define between them a functional space 114 intended to accommodate a closure element to be locked by the padlock which, for example, may be a pair of pad-eyes of a closure, a locking accessory of the kind illustrated below in Figs. 12-13, elements of a closure fitting of the kind illustrated below in Fig. 15, etc.

The two arms 110, 112 have two coaxial horizontal bores (seen in Fig. IB and in Fig. 2) together defining a horizontal axis 120 and including a distal bore 116 in arm 110 and a proximal bore 118 in arm 112. In the following, consistent with the general description, the direction parallel to axis 120 will be referred to as axial, while displacement or direction towards the distal end will be referred to as "distal" and towards the opposite one as "proximal" (or the derivations "distally" and "proximally"). The proximal bore ends with a proximal external opening 122 and a grip- accommodating space 123 in side face of arm 112

Sliding bolt 124 is accommodated in the distal and proximal bores 116, 118 and is axially slidably displaceable in a distal to proximal direction from the closed state, seen in Fig. 2, into the open state of the padlock, illustrated in Fig. 6C and as will be explained further below. The bolt, when in the open state, may, of course, be axially slidably displaceable in the opposite direction, namely in a proximal to distal direction (i.e. distally) from the open to the closed state. In the closed state, shown in Fig. 2, a mid-portion of the bolt 126 spans functional space 114 and in this state can engage the closure element and keep it in a locked state.

Bolt 124 is fitted at its proximal end with grip 125 that is accommodated in grip space 123, its upper portion 125A can be gripped for retraction of the bolt, as can be seen in Fig. 1. The grip 125 is fixed to the proximal end of bolt 124 via pin 127 that is practical and designed to break upon exertion of force above a certain threshold, when the pin is in the closed state, e.g. in the event of tampering.

The internal components of the padlock, seen in Fig. 2, include also a locking pin 128 which is vertically and reciprocally displaceable between a locking position, seen in Fig. 2, and a releasing position, seen in Fig. 6C. Locking pin 128 has a locking head 130 accommodated within a downward facing first recess 132, formed in the distal end of bolt 124. As can further be seen, pin 128 is associated with spring 134 that is fitted around it and held between washer 136 and shoulders 138 to thereby upwardly bias the pin. As can also be seen, pin 128 is accommodated within a locking pin space 140, having a bottom wall 142. Fitted between washer 136 and bottom wall 142 is an O- ring 144 that prevents liquid, e.g. resulting from in situ condensation or from precipitation from flowing downward along the pin. As can further be seen, bottom portion of pin 128 is slidably accommodated in lumen 146, extending from the bottom wall of pin space 140.

Bottom part of pin 128 has a narrow threaded tail 150 that is threadably fitted with nut 152 which serves to arrest the upward displacement of the pin, beyond the position seen in Fig. 2, in the open state of the padlock (see Fig. 6C).

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the internal components also include an indication pin 154 having engagement head 156, fitted into a proximal downward facing second recess 158 formed in the proximal end of bolt 124 and having slanted side walls. Pin 152 is associated with spring 160 that is fitted around it and held between shoulders 162 and washer 164 and is upwardly biased by it. Indication pin 154 is accommodated within pin space 166 having bottom wall 162. An O-ring 170 is fitted around the pin between washer 164 and the bottom face having the same function as O-ring 144. The bottom end of pin 154 has a narrow threaded tail 172 which is threadably fitted with nut 174 functioning, among others, to arrest the upward displacement of pin 154.

Included in the space below pin 154 is an indication microswitch 176 which is in close proximity to nut 174 and upon downward displacement of pin 154, the microswitch 176 is engaged and provides an activation signal to the padlock's control utility 175.

As will be explained further below, with reference to Fig. 6A, distally oriented displacement of the bolt, causes the engagement head 156 to be downwardly guided by the slanted walls of recess 158 thereby casing nut 174 to engage and hence activate microswitch 176. This is in fact the way to initiate the lock's to switch it from a dormant to active state. This distally oriented displacement, which is achieved by distally directed pressing onto grip 125, is enabled by clearance 180 at the distal end of bore 116 and clearance 182 between the locking head 130 and the proximal end of recess 132.

As can further be seen in Fig. 2, recess 158 extends into a guiding groove 184 which, upon proximally-oriented displacement of bolt 124, accommodates engaging head 156. Groove 184 has a downright wall 186 at its distal end which, once engaged with engaging head 156, arrests further proximal oriented displacement of the bolt and hence its full extraction. As will be seen further in Fig. 6C, in this state the distal end of bolt 124 is fully accommodated within bore 118.

Also seen in Fig. 2 is an electric motor 200 (represented as a block without showing internal components) having an axle 202 that is attached, through coupling element 204 with a cam generally designated 206, all of which can best be seen in Fig. 3.

The internal components, as seen in Fig. 2, also include two batteries 210, 212; the former being a smaller one for operating the electronic mechanism including control utility 175, and the latter serving to power the electric motor 200 (the wiring is not shown). As can be seen in Figs. 3 to 5, cam 206 includes a hub 230 which is integral with coupling element 204 and an external cam element 232, having a first section 232A and a second section 232B (which in the blocking position of the cam the former being at the top and the latter one at the bottom) the two sections being integral with one another and linked by two arms 233A and 233B seen in Figs. 4 and 5, extending between the two sections at two opposite sides of hub 230. First bore 234A and second bore 234B are formed in respective first and second section 232A and 232B and accommodate respective first and second ends of pin 236. The first end portion of pin 236 has integral shoulders 240 that bear on the bottom face of first section 232A. The mid-portion of pin 236 is accommodated within bore 242 formed in hub 230 with the portion 242A of bore that is proximal to the first section is wider to accommodate shoulders 240. Pin 236 is associated with spring 244 that is fitted around the pin and between an end of bore 242 and shoulders 240, whereby in the blocking position seen in Figs. 3 and 4 the cam element 232 is upwardly biases into the normal state seen in Fig. 3.

The cam is accommodated in cam space 246 having a bottom wall 248.

Accordingly, if, for example in a tampering attempt or an act of vandalism pin 128 is somehow downwardly forcefully displaced while in the blocking position of the cam (shown in Figs. 3 and 4), rather than straining axle 202, such forceful displacement of the pin will cause downward displacement of cam element 232 against the bias of spring 244 until arrested by wall 248. Once force is released, it will revert from this forced displaced state to the normal state shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

When the cam 206 is in the blocking position, as seen in Figs. 2-4, the downward displacement of pin 128 is arrested and thereby bolt 124 is locked into its closed state. As can be seen in Fig. 5, to open the lock, the cam rotates in the direction of curved arrow 268 from the blocking position, shown in Fig. 4, to the unblocking position shown in Fig. 5. As can further be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, included in the cam space 246 is also a cam microswitch 260 that is disengaged when the cam is in its blocking state and is engaged during rotation of the cam by the first section 232A of cam element 232, to thereby provide a control utility with an "open lock" indication.

The cam microswitch 260 may also have another function as a further means of guarding against tampering. The cam typically has some degree of rotational freedom and consequently any tampering attempt (e.g. shaking) may cause it to rotate by a few degrees. Such slight rotation may cause transient engagement of cam microswitch 260. Such a transient engagement (in distinction to a prolonged engagement) may activate the control utility and may be interpreted by the control utility as a tampering attempt or may be interpreted as such if not followed by a lock-opening sequence within a defined time period. In such a case, then, the control utility may induce motor 200 to rotate cam 206 into the blocking state.

Reference is now being made to Figs. 6A to 6C showing sequences in the padlock's operation. As noted above, in the state shown in Figs. 2-4, the cam 206 is in the blocking position arresting the downward movement of pin 128 and accordingly bolt 124 is arrested in the locked position, shown in these Figures.

In order to activate the padlock, user presses grip 125 to displace it in a distal direction, which displacement is enabled by clearances 180, 182, as explained above. Consequently, as also noted above, the slanted wall of recess 158 causes slight downward displacement of the indication pin 154 (as represented by arrow 300) thereby activating microswitch 176, as seen in Fig. 6A. The upward bias of pin 154, that bears now on the slanted walls of recess 158, causes the bolt to revert to the position shown in Fig. 2. The transient activation of microswitch 176 provides a time window in which a user can enter a lock activation code which may, for example, be a knock code of the kind disclosed and delivered by the devices disclosed in PCT publications WO 98/39539 and WO 01/59238.

However, it should be noted that by a different embodiment, the activation code may be optical, e.g. infra-red signal, radio frequency signal, etc. It is clear to a man of the art that the invention is not limited to any specific kind of activation signal. Once activated by the activation signal which is received by a receiver associated with control utility 175, motor 200 is activated to rotate the cam 206 from the blocking position, shown in Figs, 2-4, to the unblocking position, shown in Fig. 6B and 5, by quarter circle rotations, as represented by arrow 268 in Fig. 4.

As noted above, during this rotation, the first section 232A of element 232 disengages microswitch 260 to provide a "lock open" indication. In this position, the downward displacement of pin 128 is no longer arrested and pulling the bolt 124 into the proximal direction through grip 125, the rounded curvature of recess 132 causes downward displacement of pin 128, thereby proximally-directed sliding retraction of bolt 124. During this displacement, engaging head 156 of pin 154 is accommodated within groove 184 and this retraction can progress until engagement head 156 comes to bear on downright wall 186, whereupon the entire distal portion of bolt 124 is accommodated within bore 118. This latter state is shown in Fig. 6C. During the open state, microswitch 176 is constantly activated to indicate to the control utility 175 that the lock is open. During the open state, cam 206 is in its unblocking state and in this state cam microswitch 260 is also disengaged and may provide a second, open lock indication to the control utility.

For locking, the bolt is axially displaced in a proximal to distal position and once the bolt reaches substantially the end of its path, both the first and second recesses 132 and 158, come to lie over locking head 130 of locking pin 128 and engagement head 156 of indication pin 154, respectively. This permits both pins 128 and 154 to upwardly displace until their respective heads are accommodated within the respective recesses. The upward displacement of pin 154 disengages indication microswitch 176 and this may induce the control utility to emit a signal that will cause motor 200 to rotate cam 206 into the blocking state, thereby locking the lock. This latter sequence may be initiated immediately or a short time period, e.g. a few seconds, after the upward displacement of the indication pin and the disengagement of the indication microswitch. Once the lock enters into the locking state the control utility enters again into its dormant or inactive state and the lock remains permanently locked until another lock opening sequence is initiated.

Reference is made now to Figs. 7A-8B which are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the invention that include a buffering arrangement 800 which links between the electric motor and the cam. In these Figures, like elements (i.e. elements with the same or similar structure and/or function) to those in the embodiments described above, were given the same reference numerals and the reader is referred to the above description for explanations on their structure and function. Thus, for example, pin 128 in Fig. 7A serves a similar function as pin 128 in Fig. 2. Emphasis in the description below will be made primarily on the elements that are unique to this embodiment.

As can best be seen in Fig. 7C, motor 200 is linked through an associated gear arrangement 802 to motor axle 804, such that rotation of the motor rotates the axle. Tightly fitted onto motor axle 804 is coupling member 806 having a bore 808 that accommodates the axle, such that rotation of the motor axle 804 rotates the coupling member 806. The tight engagement is ensured through a leaf spring 810. The coupling member 806 has a generally disk-shaped portion 812, with a groove 814 defined in a face distal to the motor. As can also be seen in Fig. 7C, coupling member 806 has an integral coupling-pin 816 that extends in axial direction into groove 814, the function of which will be explained below.

As can best be seen in Figs. 7B and 8B, groove 814 is circular and concentric with the axle and accommodates an arched helical spring 818 and two sliding blocks consisting of a first block 820 and a second block 822. The helical spring is associated with a first end of each of the blocks to bias them once against the other, such that their second faces are closely associated. As can also be seen, the second faces of the blocks are concave and define between them a block space 824.

Turning back to Fig. 7C, as can be seen there, the coupling member 806 has an axial stem 826 and cam 828 is fitted onto the stem in a manner that permits its free rotation about it. Cam 828 has an integral cam-pin 830 that extends axially in the opposite direction to coupling-pin 816, and in a rest state of the cam is opposite locking pin 128. In the rest state, both the coupling-pin 816 and the cam-pin 830 project into the block space 824.

The cam, as can be seen in Figs. 7A and 7B, has two opposite arched portions 832, 834, one facing block 836 and the other facing the bottom end of pin 128, respectively. In the state depicted in Figs. 7 A and 7B, which is the blocking state of the cam, the cam blocks downward displacement of locking pin 128 which consequently maintains the bolt 124 in its locked state, as explained above. As can also be seen, cam 828 has a bore 838 that accommodates stem 826. The bore 838 hasg a slightly elongated cross-section to permit slight vertical displacement of the cam, such that in case of downward pressure from pin 128, e.g. in the case of a tampering attempt, this shape of the bore will permit some degree of vertical freedom to avoid application of pressure on stem 826 and from there on the motor's axle, which would otherwise damage the motor or the gear arrangement. The motor, in this embodiment, rotates in the direction of arrow 840 to move the cam from the blocking state (shown in Fig. 7A) to the unblocking state, shown in Fig. 8A, and vice-versa. As can be seen, cam 828 has two opposite straight portions 842, 844, and once in the unblocking state, the bottom end of locking-pin 128 is free to downwardly displace, thereby permitting movement of the bolt and opening of the lock. The coupling between the motor and the cam, such that rotation of the former will rotate the latter, is through buffering arrangement 800, the function of which will now be explained. Rotation of the motor in the direction of arrow 840 rotates coupling member 806 with it, and coupling-pin 816 presses onto first sliding block 820 to cause its rotation against the bias of arched spring 818, thereby straining the spring. This spring then applies pressure on sliding block 822, which in turn applies rotational pressure on cam-pin 830 to cause rotation of cam 828. Thus, the arched spring serves as a buffer to store the rotational mechanical energy and release it controllably to rotate the cam. In the event that the cam's rotation is blocked for some reason, for example in consequence of pressure applied through the downward displacement of pin 128, this will not arrest rotation of motor 200. Such arrest during rotation may cause overheating and damage to the motor, and may also waste a large amount of energy (given the fact that the lock is battery-operated and is intended to be used for many years, the battery power needs to be preserved as much as possible). Upon locking, and hence rotation of the motor in the opposite direction to that of arrow 840, coupling-pin 816 will cause rotation and displacement of the second block 822, straining the spring which then applies pressure on first block 820, which in turn will apply force on cam-pin 830 causing rotation of cam 828.

It should be noted that the reciprocal rotation arrangement of this embodiment is an example and, in other embodiments of the invention, the motor may continuously revolve in the same direction between consecutive blocking and unblocking states of the cam.

Reference is now being made to Figs. 9A and 9B. Shown in this cross-section are batteries 850 and a sensor arrangement designated 852 which will now be briefly explained. The sensor arrangement includes a disk 854 (also seen in cross-section in Fig. 7C), which is fitted about motor axle 804 and rotatable therewith. As can be seen, the disk has two slits close to its periphery, including a narrow slit 856 and an elongated arched slit 858. Behind the disk, in the views shown in Figs. 9 A and 9B, are two light- sensors 860, 862. The sensor arrangement 852 also comprises a light source (not shown and situated in a plane above that of the cross-section of Figs. 9A and 9B) that is positioned at the other side of the disk, non-limiting examples being LED or laser.

In the position shown in Fig. 9A, which corresponds to the blocking state of the cam, the two sensors 860, 862 are behind slit 858 and the light emitted by the light source is received by both of them. Detection of light by both these sensors is, thus, an indication of the blocking state of the cam.

Upon rotation, between the blocking to the unblocking state, in the direction of arrow 840, sensor 860 becomes blocked from view by the, while sensor 862 continues to receive the light signal emitted by the light source. Recording of the light signal by one of the sensors 860, 862 and cessation of recording by other sensor 862, 860, is a means for monitoring direction of movement of the motor, and consequently the position of the cam. On-going rotation then brings slit 856 first in front of sensor 860 and, after a time delay, in front of sensor 862. This time delay as well as slit's 856 position in front of sensor 862, and hence passage of light from the light source to the sensor 862, signifies the final rotational stage of the motor. Also, by an embodiment of the invention, once slit 856 is positioned over sensor 862, the reception of light by it may provide a signal for arresting the motor's rotation.

In reverse rotation of the motor, in which it moves the cam from the unblocking to the blocking state, rotation will continue until the light is received by both sensors 860, 862, which may then trigger a signal that will arrest the motor's counter-rotation.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10 illustrating an optically transmissive window 400 formed at the bottom part of side face 402. Behind window 400 there is situated an optical receiver 404 which can also be seen through the transparent window in Fig. 10 and which is seen independently in Fig. 11. The window and optical receiver jointly define an optical axis.

The optical receiver 404 is held on a planar carrier 406 that has a breakable neck portion 408, and is fixed therethrough to other elements of the padlock, in this case to block 410. In case of tampering with and breaking window 400, the planar carrier 406 will break at neck portion 408 and thereby prevent any tampering.

Reference is now being made to Figs. 12-14. The padlock shown in these figures is identical to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and accordingly like reference numerals have been used. The padlock 100 is associated with a locking accessory assembly generally designated 500 that includes a closure fitting pin 502 and an adapter 504. The closure fitting pin, shown in isolation in Fig. 13 A, has an elongated portion 510 of a first cross- sectional dimension and has a pin head 512 that has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the elongated portion (in this embodiment the different dimensions are embodied through different circular cross-sectional diameters). The pin has a tail portion 514, configured with recess 516 that matches the contours of the external surface of bolt 124. The adapter 504 has a first adapter bore 520 and a second adapter bore 522, these two bores being normally oriented and partially intersecting with one another. The first adapter bore is configured for receiving the mid-portion 126 of the bolt; the second being configured to receive the tail portion 514 with the recess 516 fitted over a portion of the bolt and this prevents pin 502 to be extracted out of the adapter. A locked state in which the recess 516 at tail portion 514 is fitted on top of a mid-portion of bolt 124 can be seen in Figs. 9 and 13B. Once the bolt is retracted to the open state, illustrated in Fig. 6C, recess 516 is freed and pin 502 can thereby be retracted and freed. For locking, pin 502 is fitted through openings (e.g. pad eyes) in a closure element, then inserted into position in adapter 504 and then bolt 124 is pushed back into its locking state to thereby lock the pin in position.

The manner in which the padlock can be utilized is shown in Fig. 15. In this case, a closure fitting, which includes two adapters 602, 604 each tightly fixed to one side of a closure, e.g. a door of a container or another installation, with integral closure elements 606 formed by matching elements 608, 610, which have coaxial bores configured for receiving the mid-portion 126 of bolt 124 (not shown in Fig. 15) to thereby lock this closure.

Reference is now being made to Figs. 16 and 17 showing, in isolation, a removable external wall element 700, seen in Fig. 1 and in cross-section in Fig. 2. Wall element 700 has an internal face 702 that is in tight association with a generally planar sealing member 704 that, as can be seen in Fig. 2, is disposed between the lock body and the external wall element 700. The sealing member has a first face 706 that faces and is tightly associated with internal face 702 of wall element 700 and has a second face 708 which, distinct from the first face, is of irregular shape and faces the lock's interior. The second face 708 holds a gasket 710, fitted in gasket seat 712 formed at the periphery of member 704 that when the sealing member is in place is tightly pressed between seat 712 and an opposite surface portion 714, configures as a shoulder in block 715 within the lock's interior, thereby providing a fluid-tight seal between the locks interior and the space exterior to sealing member 704; and hence sealing the lock's interior from the external environment.

The sealing member also has a plurality (four, in this example) of resilient elements held within housing 716 having an opening on first face 706. Each of these houses a resilient element 720 consisting of spring 722 and ball bearing 724. These ball bearings transmit the force exerted by the spring onto the internal face 702 of the wall element 700, consequently pushing a sealing member in the opposite direction, thereby exerting a sealing force on gasket 710.

It should be noted in passing that this wall element, while being removable, cannot be removed when the bolt is in the locked state. This wall element can be accessed for removal only upon full removal of bolt 124, in a manner not shown. Thus, this permits total removal of the bolt and thereafter removal of wall element 700 which allows servicing of the lock, e.g. replacement of the batteries.