Push-button padlocks having swivel-only shackles

Abstract

A push-button padlock having a swivel-only shackle, the free end of which is receivingly engaged by a sleeve that is reciprocable into the padlock body housing upon actuation of a thumb latch member projecting through the housing, preferably through a hole in the front face. The shackle is an inverted J-shaped shackle with the longer end entrained in the padlock body where it engages a latching mechanism which includes the thumb latch and shackle sleeve members. The thumb latch is preferably of breakaway construction and the sleeve may be rotatable. A locking mechanism of any desired type to selectively lock and unlock the latching mechanism may be employed. The preferred locking mechanism is of push-button type, comprising a button block member having a plurality of holes in a spaced array for receiving and retaining two types of buttons, one or more Type A Combination Button(s) and the balance being Dead Pin B Buttons. A transverse bore in the button block intersects the push-button holes to receive a resilient member that engages arcuate grooves in the side of the push-buttons in a first up position and a second, depressed position. The buttons are configured adjacent their lower ends to engage slots in the locking plate, which slots are interspersed with enlarged arcuate relieved portions (holes) aligned with holes in the faces of the lock and the button block. The buttons are configured with adjacent blocking and passing diameter portions that either prevent or permit the locking plate to reciprocate when the correct combination buttons are pressed.