Description:LOCKING ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a locking arrangement, and more particularly to a locking arrangement integrating a pin and cylinder locking mechanism and a lever locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Locks are mechanical fastening devices that are released by a physical object, such as a key, by supplying coded information like a combination of design parameters formed therein. The key is a device that is used to operate a lock (to lock or unlock it). A typical key is a small piece of metal consisting of two parts: the bit or blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. In its simplest implementation, a key operates one lock or set of locks that are keyed alike, a lock/key system where each similarly keyed lock requires the same, unique key. There are many different types of locks and several different security factors to consider, with the four most common being pad locks, deadbolt locks, knob locks, and lever handle locks, among others.
[0003] As known, locks employing a pin and cylinder mechanism include a tumbler which rotatably contains a cylinder plug. At least one row of blind holes is defined inside the tumbler, and at least one row of through holes and a key slot are defined in the cylinder plug. Pins are accommodated in said through slots, and one of their ends protrudes into the slot; tumbler pins, supported by springs, are accommodated in the blind holes. The respective key has a row of teeth defined along an edge of the shank which is inserted in the lock. The row of pins of the cylinder plug engages between the teeth of the key when said key is fully inserted in the slot, causing the alignment of the plane of contact between the pins and the tumbler pins in the plane of contact between the cylinder plug and the tumbler. The cylinder plug can thus rotate in the tumbler, causing the rotation of the bit and the opening of the lock. The disadvantage of this type of lock is that it can be subjected of fraudulent tampering with tools such as picks which are inserted in the longitudinal key slot to act on the accessible ends of the pins and move the plane of contact between the pins and the tumbler pins into the plane of contact between the cylinder plug and the tumbler.
[0004] Further, as known, locks employing a lever mechanism use a set of levers to prevent the bolt from moving in the lock. In the simplest form of these, lifting the tumbler above a certain height will allow the bolt to slide past. In a basic, fixed, lever tumbler lock design, the entire lock is enclosed in a case. The simple lever lock has three or more lever tumblers that pivot on a post and are pushed into the 'locking' position by springs, which are bound against the case and attached to the tail end of each lever tumbler. When the proper key is inserted into the lock and turned, it raises each tumbler to the point where the fence of the lock's bolt can clear the obstruction or face of each tumbler, which also blocks each tumbler's gate. When all the tumblers are in this position, the fence can be thrown through each tumbler's gate, which pushes the bolt into the retracted position. The disadvantage of this type of lock is that it can be picked with a tool called a curtain pick which is inserted into the keyway of the lock, and a force is applied to the locking bolt. The pick is then used to lift each lever inside the lock to the correct height so that the locking bolt can pass.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a locking arrangement which can hamper the practice of unlocking or picking a lock by manipulating the components of the lock device without the original key.

SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure relates to an integrated locking arrangement which may integrate (combine/fuse) a pin and cylinder locking mechanism and a lever locking mechanism, to render the existing lock picking tools useless, and further to provide interchangeability of a very high order, i.e., in the range of, possibly, thousands or even millions of key combinations, which is not possible with the existing technologies offering a very limited set of key combinations.
[0007] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an integrated locking arrangement is disclosed. The integrated locking arrangement comprises a tumbler. The tumbler comprises a tumbler body. The tumbler also comprises a shackle configured to be released with respect to the tumbler body. The tumbler further comprises a plug cylinder rotatably mounted in the tumbler body to be rotated between a first position and a second position thereof. The tumbler further comprises a pin and cylinder locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body. The pin and cylinder locking mechanism is configured to engage with the plug cylinder in the first position to prevent rotation thereof. The tumbler further comprises a lever locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body and comprising a set of levers biased in a locking position to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body. The integrated locking arrangement further comprises a key comprising a key body having a set of dimples and a set of teeth. The key body is adapted to be inserted in the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples engage therewith to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position and be rotated therewith, and the set of teeth engages with and displaces the set of levers with the rotation of the key body to dispose the set of levers in an unlocking position releasing the shackle with respect to the tumbler body.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the plug cylinder provides a longitudinal key slot defined in a diametrical plane with respect to an axis of rotation of the plug cylinder.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the pin and cylinder locking mechanism comprises a set of first bore-holes defined radially in the plug cylinder and intersecting the longitudinal key slot, a set of first pins correspondingly arranged in the set of first bore-holes, a set of second bore-holes defined in the tumbler body complementary to the set of first bore-holes, a set of second pins correspondingly arranged in the set of second bore-holes and biased to cooperate with the set of first pins to make the set of first pins extend into the longitudinal key slot.
[0010] In one or more embodiments, the key body is adapted to be inserted inside the longitudinal key slot of the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples are aligned with the set of first bore-holes to cause the set of first pins extend thereinto due to the bias thereof and thereby be disposed to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the key body has dimples from the set of dimples disposed on one or more of a first face, a second face, a third face and a fourth face thereof, and the set of teeth disposed on one of the first face, the second face, the third face and the fourth face thereof. Herein, the first face and the third face are opposite to each other, and orthogonal to the second face and the fourth face opposing each other.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, each dimple in the set of dimples in the key body of the key is defined to have at least one of first design parameters thereof being unique thereto. Herein, the first design parameters comprises one or more of: a dimple depth, a dimple diameter, a dimple sidewall angle.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, each tooth in the set of teeth in the key body of the key is defined to have at least one of second design parameters thereof being unique thereto. Herein, the second design parameters comprises one or more of: a teeth depth, a teeth width.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the set of levers are biased to be in indirect engagement with the shackle to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the tumbler is a pad lock.
[0016] In an another aspect of the present disclosure, an integrated locking arrangement is disclosed. The integrated locking arrangement comprises a tumbler. The tumbler comprises a tumbler body. The tumbler also comprises a shackle configured to be released with respect to the tumbler body. The tumbler further comprises a plug cylinder rotatably mounted in the tumbler body to be rotated between a first position and a second position thereof. The plug cylinder provides a longitudinal key slot defined in a diametrical plane with respect to an axis of rotation of the plug cylinder. The tumbler further comprises a pin and cylinder locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body. The pin and cylinder locking mechanism comprises a set of first bore-holes defined radially in the plug cylinder and intersecting the longitudinal key slot, a set of first pins correspondingly arranged in the set of first bore-holes, a set of second bore-holes defined in the tumbler body complementary to the set of first bore-holes, a set of second pins correspondingly arranged in the set of second bore-holes and biased to cooperate with the set of first pins to make the set of first pins extend into the longitudinal key slot in the first position of the plug cylinder to prevent rotation thereof. The tumbler further comprises a lever locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body and comprising a set of levers biased in a locking position to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body. The integrated locking arrangement further comprises a key comprising a key body having a set of dimples and a set of teeth. The key body has dimples from the set of dimples disposed on one or more of a first face, a second face, a third face and a fourth face thereof, and the set of teeth disposed on one of the first face, the second face, the third face and the fourth face thereof. Herein, the first face and the third face are opposite to each other, and orthogonal to the second face and the fourth face opposing each other. The key body is adapted to be inserted inside the longitudinal key slot of the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples are aligned with the set of first bore-holes to cause the set of first pins extend thereinto due to the bias thereof and thereby be disposed to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position and be rotated therewith, and the set of teeth engages with and displaces the set of levers with the rotation of the key body to dispose the set of levers in an unlocking position releasing the shackle with respect to the tumbler body.
[0017] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic planar view representation of an integrated locking arrangement, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic planar view representation of the integrated locking arrangement with a front cover of a tumbler body removed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement along a section AA’ of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement along a section BB’ of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view representation of a plug cylinder, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4B illustrates a diagrammatic top planar view representation of the a plug cylinder, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 4C illustrates a diagrammatic front planar view representation of the plug cylinder, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4D illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the plug cylinder, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5A illustrates a diagrammatic front planar view representation of a key from a first side thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5B illustrates a diagrammatic front planar view representation of a key from a second side thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 5C illustrates a diagrammatic front planar view representation of a key from a third side thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 6A illustrates a diagrammatic planar view representation of the integrated locking arrangement, with a tumbler body and a shackle removed therefrom, in a locked configuration thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 6B illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement of FIG. 6A along a section CC’ thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates a diagrammatic planar view representation of the integrated locking arrangement, with the tumbler body and the shackle removed therefrom, in an unlocked configuration thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement of FIG. 7A along a section DD’ thereof, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to these specific details.
[0035] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
[0036] Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a diagrammatic planar view representation of an integrated locking arrangement (as represented by reference numeral 100), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated locking arrangement 100 is in the form of a pad lock; however, it may be contemplated that the disclosed integrated locking arrangement 100 may be implemented in any suitable lock type including, but not limited to, deadbolt locks, knob locks, lever handle locks, etc. without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present disclosure. The integrated locking arrangement 100 primarily includes a tumbler 102 and a key 104. In the accompanied illustrations of the integrated locking arrangement 100, the key 104 has been shown engaged with the tumbler 102; however, it may be understood that the tumbler 102 and the key 104 are separate members which may be engaged for locking and unlocking of the integrated locking arrangement 100, as required.
[0038] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated, the tumbler 102 is a pad lock, with the two terms being interchangeably used. The pad lock 102, as used, comes in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be used to secure a variety of objects, such as gates, doors, storage units, and more. The pad lock 102 may be commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, and are often preferred for their portability and versatility. The pad lock 102 is also relatively easy to install and maintain, making them a popular choice for securing various types of property.
[0039] As illustrated, the tumbler 102 includes a tumbler body (as represented by reference numeral 110). The tumbler body 110 may be of generally elliptical configuration in cross-section, formed preferably as a unitary casted body of a highly resistant material such as hardened steel, providing a generally rounded lateral surface. As shown, the tumbler body 110 is provided with a front cover 112 to enclose various inner components of the integrated locking arrangement 100 inside the tumbler body 110. The tumbler 102 also includes a shackle 114. In an example, the shackle 114 is preferably in the form of a U-shaped rod of hardened steel or is formed with saw tooth resisting or destroying portions, having a longer leg and a shorter leg (not indicated). The longer leg passes through circular opening therefor in the tumbler body section 110 which extends a substantial distance therein. The longer leg is permitted a selected amount of axial and rotatable movement relative to the tumbler body 110, but is normally restrained against complete withdrawal from the socket by means of a pin or similar formation (not shown) of the type known in the art forming an abutment stop or projection for preventing complete withdrawal of the shackle 114 from the tumbler body 110. In this manner, the shackle 114 is configured to engage and be released with respect to the tumbler body 110.
[0040] The tumbler 102 further includes a plug cylinder 120. Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a diagrammatic planar view representation of the integrated locking arrangement 100 with the front cover 112 of the tumbler body 110 removed. As shown, the plug cylinder 120 is rotatably mounted in the tumbler body 110. The plug cylinder 120 is adapted to be rotated between a first position and a second position thereof in the tumbler body 110 (as discussed later in more detail). For this purpose, the tumbler 102 may include a closed-bottom lower central bore portion forming a cylinder housing cavity which is shaped in size to snuggly accommodate the plug cylinder 120 of conventional construction, for example of the type having a cylindrical main body portion. Such construction may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art and thus not described in more detail for brevity of the present disclosure. Further, as generally shown and represented in FIG. 2, the tumbler 102 includes a pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 arranged inside the tumbler body 110, and a lever locking mechanism 140 arranged inside the tumbler body 110, with their details being provided later in the description.
[0041] Further, FIG. 3A illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement 100 along a section AA’ (i.e., a vertical sectional plane) of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3B illustrates a diagrammatic section view representation of the integrated locking arrangement 100 along a section BB’ (i.e., a horizontal sectional plane) of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in combination, as may be seen, the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 includes a set of first bore-holes (as generally represented by reference numeral 132) defined radially in the plug cylinder 120. The pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 also includes a set of first pins (not visible, but known in the art) correspondingly arranged in the set of first bore-holes 132. The pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 further includes a set of second bore-holes (as generally represented by reference numeral 134) defined in the tumbler body 110 complementary to the set of first bore-holes 132. The pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 may also include a set of second pins (not visible, but known in the art) correspondingly arranged in the set of second bore-holes 134.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, in combination, illustrated are various diagrammatic views of the plug cylinder 120, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the plug cylinder 120 provides a longitudinal key slot 122 defined in a diametrical plane (i.e., the plane of a diameter of the plug cylinder 120) with respect to an axis of rotation of the plug cylinder 120. Herein, the longitudinal key slot 122 may extend, at least partially, along a length of the plug cylinder 120. In the normal operation of the integrated locking arrangement 100, for example as shown in FIG. 1, the key 104 is inserted through the longitudinal key slot 122 in the plug cylinder 120 in the angular position as shown. In some examples, a legend "LOCK" is provided to indicate this position, and the key 104 may be rotated through approximately 90° in a clockwise direction to the position designated by another legend "UNLOCK". Again, such construction may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art and thus not described in more detail for brevity of the present disclosure.
[0043] Further, as illustrated, the set of first bore-holes 132 are defined radially in the plug cylinder 120. In the illustrated example, the set of first bore-holes 132 are shown to include three arrays of the first bore-holes 132, with each array of the first bore-holes 132 having three numbers of first bore-holes 132, without any limitations. As shown, the set of first bore-holes 132 of the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 intersects the longitudinal key slot 122 therein. That is, the first bore-holes 132 may extend in the plug cylinder 120 all the way towards a centre thereof to intersect the longitudinal key slot 122 as defined in the diametrical plane therein and extending, at least partially, along the length of the plug cylinder 120.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 5A to 5C, in combination, illustrated are various diagrammatic views of the key 104, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the key 104 has a key body 106. The key body 106 has a generally rectangular cuboidal shape with a thickness thereof being substantially smaller as compared to a longitudinal length or a lateral length thereof, imparting the key body 106 a generally flattened four-sided shape. Herein, the key body 106 may be made of metallic material, such as, but not limited to, hardened steel. The key body 106 has a first face 106a, a second face 106b, a third face 106c and a fourth face 106d. Herein, as may be seen, the first face 106a and the third face 106c are opposite to each other; the second face 106b and the fourth face 106d are opposite to each other; and the first face 106a and the third face 106c are orthogonal to the second face 106b and the fourth face 106d.
[0045] As illustrated, the key body 106 includes a set of dimples (as generally represented by reference numeral 136) therein. The set of dimples 136 in the key body 106 of the key 104 are adapted to cooperate with the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 in the tumbler 102, in the present integrated locking arrangement 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the key 104 is shown to incorporate the set of dimples 136 on all of its four faces, the first face 106a, the second face 106b, the third face 106c as well as the fourth face 106d. Such arrangement is exemplary only and shall not be construed limiting to the present disclosure. That is, in other alternative embodiments, the set of dimples 136 may be incorporated in only one of the four faces of the key 104, or may be only on two of the four faces of the key 104 with such two faces being either orthogonal to each other (like the first face 106a and the second face 106b) or opposite to each other (like the first face 106a and the third face 106c), without any limitations. In the present embodiments, each dimple in the set of dimples 136 in the key body 106 of the key 104 is defined to have at least one of first design parameters thereof being unique thereto. Herein, the first design parameters may include one or more of: a dimple depth, a dimple diameter, a dimple sidewall angle. That is, for each key 104 being manufactured, at least one of the first design parameters for at least one of the dimples in the set of dimples 136 may be varied to be unique. Such first design parameters for the set of dimples 136 may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art, and their implementation to impart uniqueness to the key 104 may also be understood thereby, and thus the details thereof have not been discussed herein for the brevity of the present disclosure.
[0046] Further, as illustrated, the key body 106 includes a set of teeth (as generally represented by reference numeral 138) therein. The set of teeth 138 in the key body 106 of the key 104 are adapted to cooperate with the lever locking mechanism 140 in the tumbler 102, in the present integrated locking arrangement 100. In the present embodiments, the key 104 may incorporate the set of teeth 138 on one of the first face 106a, the second face 106b, the third face 106c and the fourth face 106d. In the illustrated embodiment, the key 104 is shown to incorporate the set of teeth 138 on the second face 106b thereof. Such arrangement is exemplary only and shall not be construed limiting to the present disclosure. That is, in other alternative embodiments, the set of teeth 138 may be incorporated on two of the four faces of the key 104, like two faces opposite to each other (like the second face 106b and the fourth face 106d), without any limitations. In the present embodiments, each tooth in the set of teeth 138 in the key body 106 of the key 104 is defined to have at least one of second design parameters thereof being unique thereto. Herein, the second design parameters may include one or more of: a teeth depth, a teeth width. That is, for each key 104 being manufactured, at least one of the second design parameters for at least one of the tooth in the set of teeth 138 may be varied to be unique. Such second design parameters for the set of teeth 138 may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art, and their implementation to impart uniqueness to the key 104 may also be understood thereby, and thus the details thereof have not been discussed herein for the brevity of the present disclosure.
[0047] Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as depicted, the plug cylinder 120 is shown in the first position thereof. Herein, the set of second bore-holes 134, as defined in the tumbler body 110 and complementary to the set of first bore-holes 132, are aligned with the set of first bore-holes 132 defined in the plug cylinder 120, in the first position of the plug cylinder 120 (i.e., when the plug cylinder is in the first position thereof). Further, herein, the set of second pins arranged in the set of second bore-holes 134 are biased, by means of springs (not shown) as known in the art, to cooperate with the set of first pins arranged in the set of first bore-holes 132, to make the set of first pins extend into the longitudinal key slot 122 in the first position of the plug cylinder 120 (i.e., when the plug cylinder is in the first position thereof). This, in turn, may prevent rotation of the plug cylinder 120 and locks the plug cylinder 120 in the first position thereof, and thus keeps the integrated locking arrangement 100 in the locked configuration thereof (as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B).
[0048] Also, as depicted, the key body 106 is adapted to be inserted inside the longitudinal key slot 122 of the plug cylinder 120 such that the set of dimples 136 are aligned with the set of first bore-holes 132 to cause the set of first pins extend thereinto. That is, when the set of dimples 136 are aligned with the set of first bore-holes 132, the set of first pins may extend all the way into the set of dimples 136, through the set of first bore-holes 132. This is due to the bias of the set of first pins. The set of first bore-holes 132 may be so designed to have corresponding lengths such that the set of first pins in the extended form may be at an upper boundary thereof. Further, the set of second pins may be extended to be at the lower boundary of the corresponding set of second bore-holes 134. This arrangement places the set of first pins and the set of second pins to be at “shear line” from respective one of the ends, and thereby be disposed to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder 120 from the first position to the second position.
[0049] Further, as depicted, the lever locking mechanism 140, as arranged inside the tumbler body 110, includes a set of levers 142 therein. In the illustration of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the set of levers 142 are biased in a locking position to keep the shackle 114 engaged with the tumbler body 110. In particular, the set of levers 142 are biased to be in indirect engagement with the shackle 114 to keep the shackle 114 engaged with the tumbler body 110. Typically, such indirect engagement may be provided by use of cam mechanism and the like, as known in the art and thus not described herein for the brevity of the present disclosure. Now, as discussed in the preceding paragraph, the plug cylinder 120 can be rotated from the first position to the second position thereof, when the set of dimples 136 are aligned with the set of first bore-holes 132 in the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130. As may be understood, when the plug cylinder 120 is rotated from the first position to the second position thereof, the key body 106 (and the entire key 104 itself) is rotated therewith. With the rotation of the key body 106 with the plug cylinder 120, the set of teeth 138 engages with the set of levers 142 and further displaces the set of levers 142 to dispose the set of levers 142 in an unlocking position. In such unlocking position, the set of levers 142 cause releasing of the shackle 114 with respect to the tumbler body 110, as may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art and thus not described in detail herein for brevity of the present disclosure. Such movement, thereby, dispose the integrated locking arrangement 100 in an unlocked configuration thereof (as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B).
[0050] The integrated locking arrangement 100 of the present disclosure may thus be able to incorporate (integrate/combine/fuse) both the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 and the lever locking mechanism 140 in a single body. The integration of the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 and the lever locking mechanism 140 can hamper the practice of unlocking or picking of a lock by manipulating the components of the lock device without the original key, by providing interchangeability of a very high order, i.e., in the range of, possibly, thousands or even millions of key combinations, which is not possible with the existing technologies offering a very limited set of key combinations. It may be appreciated that even if a lock picker may be able to use some lock picking tools to actuate the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 and be able to rotate the plug cylinder 120 up to position where the lever locking mechanism 140 is supposed to be engaged; herein, the set of levers 142 being biased in the locking position would keep the present integrated locking arrangement 100 in the locked configuration (i.e., would not release the shackle 114 with respect to the tumbler body 110). It may also be appreciated that the integration of the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 and the lever locking mechanism 140 may hamper lock picking activity by constraining space inside the tumbler body 110 for using multiple sets of lock picking tools as would be required for simultaneous picking of both the pin and cylinder locking mechanism 130 and the lever locking mechanism 140, albeit independent to each other.
[0051] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:

What is claimed is:

1. An integrated locking arrangement comprising:
a tumbler comprising:
a tumbler body;
a shackle configured to be released with respect to the tumbler body;
a plug cylinder rotatably mounted in the tumbler body to be rotated between a first position and a second position thereof;
a pin and cylinder locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body, the pin and cylinder locking mechanism configured to engage with the plug cylinder in the first position to prevent rotation thereof; and
a lever locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body and comprising a set of levers biased in a locking position to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body; and
a key comprising a key body having a set of dimples and a set of teeth, wherein the key body is adapted to be inserted in the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples engage therewith to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position and be rotated therewith, and the set of teeth engages with and displaces the set of levers with the rotation of the key body to dispose the set of levers in an unlocking position releasing the shackle with respect to the tumbler body.

2. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug cylinder provides a longitudinal key slot defined in a diametrical plane with respect to an axis of rotation of the plug cylinder.

3. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pin and cylinder locking mechanism comprises a set of first bore-holes defined radially in the plug cylinder and intersecting the longitudinal key slot, a set of first pins correspondingly arranged in the set of first bore-holes, a set of second bore-holes defined in the tumbler body complementary to the set of first bore-holes, a set of second pins correspondingly arranged in the set of second bore-holes and biased to cooperate with the set of first pins to make the set of first pins extend into the longitudinal key slot.

4. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the key body is adapted to be inserted inside the longitudinal key slot of the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples are aligned with the set of first bore-holes to cause the set of first pins extend thereinto due to the bias thereof and thereby be disposed to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position.

5. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key body has dimples from the set of dimples disposed on one or more of a first face, a second face, a third face and a fourth face thereof, and the set of teeth disposed on one of the first face, the second face, the third face and the fourth face thereof, and wherein the first face and the third face are opposite to each other, and orthogonal to the second face and the fourth face opposing each other.

6. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each dimple in the set of dimples in the key body of the key is defined to have at least one of first design parameters thereof being unique thereto, and wherein the first design parameters comprises one or more of: a dimple depth, a dimple diameter, a dimple sidewall angle.

7. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each tooth in the set of teeth in the key body of the key is defined to have at least one of second design parameters thereof being unique thereto, and wherein the second design parameters comprises one or more of: a teeth depth, a teeth width.

8. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of levers are biased to be in indirect engagement with the shackle to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body.

9. The integrated locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tumbler is a pad lock.

10. An integrated locking arrangement comprising:
a tumbler comprising:
a tumbler body;
a shackle configured to be released with respect to the tumbler body;
a plug cylinder rotatably mounted in the tumbler body to be rotated between a first position and a second position thereof, the plug cylinder providing a longitudinal key slot defined in a diametrical plane with respect to an axis of rotation of the plug cylinder;
a pin and cylinder locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body, the pin and cylinder locking mechanism comprising a set of first bore-holes defined radially in the plug cylinder and intersecting the longitudinal key slot, a set of first pins correspondingly arranged in the set of first bore-holes, a set of second bore-holes defined in the tumbler body complementary to the set of first bore-holes, a set of second pins correspondingly arranged in the set of second bore-holes and biased to cooperate with the set of first pins to make the set of first pins extend into the longitudinal key slot in the first position of the plug cylinder to prevent rotation thereof; and
a lever locking mechanism arranged inside the tumbler body and comprising a set of levers biased in a locking position to keep the shackle engaged with the tumbler body; and
a key comprising a key body having a set of dimples and a set of teeth, wherein the key body has dimples from the set of dimples disposed on one or more of a first face, a second face, a third face and a fourth face thereof, and the set of teeth disposed on one of the first face, the second face, the third face and the fourth face thereof, and wherein the first face and the third face are opposite to each other, and orthogonal to the second face and the fourth face opposing each other,
wherein the key body is adapted to be inserted inside the longitudinal key slot of the plug cylinder such that the set of dimples are aligned with the set of first bore-holes to cause the set of first pins extend thereinto due to the bias thereof and thereby be disposed to allow for rotation of the plug cylinder from the first position to the second position and be rotated therewith, and the set of teeth engages with and displaces the set of levers with the rotation of the key body to dispose the set of levers in an unlocking position releasing the shackle with respect to the tumbler body.