Each of my new patentable padlocks and padlock product use inventions is functionally/mechanically unique meaning not for differences or uses of colors, computer chips, cores, cosmetic, decorative, design changes, dial combination configurations, dimensions, disc/pin/wafer tumblers, engraving, fasteners, graphics, illumination mechanism, images, insulated cover, keypad, keyways, lamellae, metal composition, method of manufacturing, no use of plastics, non-functional anything, ornamental modifications, outer cover, outer sleeve, padlock jacket, photos, power supply, protective cover, rivets, roll pins, rubber, shackle shape, shield, shroud, size, textures, thin padlock walls, timer, unique keys, visual or a built in analog or digital clock showing local time.
                                            Email by unlocking or calling 310-PAD-LOCK

Q. Have you tried offering your new patentable padlocks and new uses to padlock manufacturers?
A. Yes.  This site has been emailed to every padlock manufacturer on this planet having a web presence more than a few times.   Innovation, increasing profits, targeting new groups of consumers are concepts they simply do not understand.   Obsessive cosmetic design changes to pre-light bulb era padlocks they love.  Go figure.

Q. Can you say more about your new padlocks and padlock product uses?
A.  No.  Think over one hundred new patentable unique padlocks and padlock product uses for appliances, art, auto, business, bicycles,  cable/pneumatic/ ball valve lockouts,  chains,  children,  communications,  consumer electronics,  factories,  government locations, guns, homes (apartments, boats, condos, ships),  health care,  hospitals, i products, industry,  military,  offices,  lockers (employee, gym, school),  passive key sequencer,  religious,  roll up doors,  safety,  seasonal,  stores(discount, outlet,  retail),  tools, transportation and TV's.   Most have use applications for today's consumer products and none are design changes to antique or newer padlocks vulnerable to a 10 pound dumbbell!

Q. Do you believe some lock companies are misguided when it comes to padlock creativity or do they just lack a strategic business plan?
A.  Yes to both.  These are very tough economic times.  Relying on minor cosmetic changes to century old padlocks while refusing to shift away from "tried and true" is not being attuned to basic consumer wants and needs.  Can you say management failure?

comments:
Sat, 14 Nov 2009 Dear Padlock inventor, I too have recently looked at the padlock patents and it is indeed pathetic what the conventional companies continue to sell.
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 I have to admit that those shackles certainly seem very similar to me, but the threshold of "novelty" for design patents is pretty low. There's no functional difference between a lock with a round shackle and one with an octagonal cross-section - but functional difference is exactly what design patents are NOT intended to protect. Clearly, a round shackle is different visually from one with eight sides, and perhaps that's a difference which means something to a padlock manufacturer. Or, more likely, they hope that it will distinguish their goods from their competitors', so that a consumer will see a lock with an eight-sided shackle hanging on a rack with all the round-shackled locks and say, "I like that company's locks, so I'll buy that one." It's not unlike the differences in design of keys for locks - the punched rectangular top doesn't work any better than a round one, but it makes it instantly recognizable as a Kwickset. (Design patent and trade dress/product configuration protection kind of overlap, here) Design patents have their place in the general scheme of protection, but there's a reason why they're less expensive, shorter lived, and easier to get. They just cover a visual difference from what was done before, and for some people, that's enough.

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