Padlock closure

Abstract

A closure for a padlock body containing a removably fixed lock cylinder primarily comprising a circular member having a concave recess in its perimeter coacting with the shorter leg of the padlock's shackle at the top of the padlock, the underside of the said member having a bayonet-like latch preventing the member from being withdrawn from the top of the padlock via coacting with the interior of the padlock body wherein the aforesaid lock cylinder is enclosed unless the member is rotated a predetermined amount, and the rotation of the member being prevented by the said leg of the shackle being in its proper socket in the body of the padlock in its locked position. The keyway to the lock cylinder for locking and unlocking the padlock is in the bottom of the padlock extending into the padlock body as is well known in the art.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a padlock having a U-shaped shackle including a confined leg and a shorter non-confined leg protruding respectively from sockets in the top of the padlock, a body enclosing a detachably fixed lock cylinder removable through an opening in the top of the padlock, the top opening being of circular shape having a diameter less than the minimum distance between the shackle legs merging into an approximately semi-circular shape having a diameter just larger than that of the shorter shackle leg, the body portion including fixed bayonet coupling portion therein, a closure comprising a circular rotatable member for the opening having on its underside a bayonet coupling portion which cooperates with the bayonet coupling portion of the body and, the closure member on rotation sealing and closing the opening except for the shorter shackle leg opening portion thereof, so that when the padlock is locked the closure member is locked by the shorter shackle leg, and when the padlock is unlocked the shorter shackle leg only when removed allows the closure member to be removed for removal of the detachably fixed lock cylinder.