US2629247A

US2629247A - Cylinder lock

Info

Publication number: US2629247A
Application number: US38613A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo E Deutsch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-07-14
Filing date: 1948-07-14
Publication date: 1953-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1970-02-24

Description

Feb. 24, 19.5.13 E. pEuTsH 2,529,247

CYLINDR LOCK Filed July 14. 1948 IN VEN TOR.

Zea f, eLLSC/L Patented Feb. 24, 1953 CYLINDER Lock Leo E. Deutsch, Hammond, Ind. Applicationjuly 14, 194s, serial No. 38,613

(o1. 'zo- 340) Claims. 1

This invention relates in general-to locks, and

more particularly to permutation type of locks in `which;a plurality of blocking elements are provided for individual movement to an inoperative lor Areleasing position by the act of inserting a proper key therein. l

A principal object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism comprising a locking member normally blocked against unlocking movement by a plurality of elements which may be moved individually to releasing positions to permit'unlockingmovement of the locking member,y but wherein insufficient or excessive `movement Vof any one of the blocking elements from its normal .position will prevent unlocking of the locking fmember.

e Another object of the invention is the provision of such 1ocking mechanism in a rotatable cylinder which is housed in a casing with which the locking member cooperates.

A further important object of the linvention is `to enable selective repositioning of the blocking l elements in different positions in such a locking mechanism, to permit setting of different combinations in this permutation type of lock, by so constructing the blocking elements as to enable removal of any of them and replacement there- .4 of in-a reversed position by an authorized person.

Another object is to so construct such la lock that the act of inserting a key of proper conformation therein will position all of the blocking elements in inoperative relationship relative to the locking member so as to enable the latter r,to be movedoutof its normal locking relationship with the casing.

f A iurtherobjectof the invention ist so mount the lqcking member inthe barrel of such a lock as to cause it to be moved relative thereto into inactive position by the cci-action therewith of a cam surface in the casing when the key is turned,

-- afterA insertion of a proper `key has moved the Vblocking elements to their release positions.

i Another `object is the provision of means normally cooperating withthe locking member to prevent Vwithdrawal of the barrel from the casing and so arranged that authorized unlocking rotation of the barrel will move the locking mem- -ber relative to such removal preventing means and out of cooperative relationship therewith to l, enable withdrawalof the barrel from the casing.

Another important object is to enable the use r of master keys in such locks by providing two such locking members, each cooperating with allV vor `the blocking elements, so that insertion of an ordinary key with the `proper coniormationwill ymove alloi the blocking elements to release one the vkey in one directionl to unlock Athe lock,v and insertion of a master key of different conformaltion" will move all of the blocking elements to dif- Aferent releasing positions to'release the other `unlocking rotation of the barrel `inA either direction in such a lock, which is accomplished by providing means formed integrally with the casing which cooperates with either of the locking memberswhen they are in normal, operative position. `Another object is to provide a simplified Alocking mechanism comprising locking members and H-shaped blocking elements normally so positioned that their outer edges block inward movey ment of the locking members to inoperative position, with notches formed in such outer edges at different distances from the ends thereof, so that different degrees of vertical movement imparted thereto by a key, upon insertion of the latter into the lock, will be required to align an associated notch horizontally with a locking member to permit such inward releasing movement of the latter into the notches.

Another object of the invention is to enable the use of duplicate or identical blocking elements in such a locking mechanism, which may be accomplished by giving these slidable elements the H- shape above described and forming the locking member receiving notch in one edge at a different distance from the end thereof than that in the other edge, whereby end-for-end and/or front-to-rear reversal of any blocking element enables it to be disposed in any one of four different-positions relative to the locking members.

' lock by relieving the pressure of the associated locking member against the blocking element when the latter is moved to` align such fooler notch with the locking member, and which are i more shallow than the regularI notches so as notl to release the locking member when aligned r therewith.

, maintaining the same normally in a lower, operaof the locking members'only' to permit turning ci tive position and for resiliently resisting upward key-actuated movements ofthese elements,"and whereinsuch springs are confined by, and disposed entirely Within, the rotatable barrel.

VvceiveV and :enclose the barrel I2.

A further important object of the instant invention is the provision of a locking mechanism having all of the above-noted features and advantages while, at the same time, having an extremely small number of parts and being simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be: apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanyin drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational front end View of a lock embodying the features of the instant invention; v

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig; 1, with one of the blocking elements and two of the `springs therefor removed;

.Figa is-a-transverse vertical section taken substantially .on `the line .3-3 of Fig. 2

Fig. iis a. longitudinal section similar to, and .taken on thesame 'line as,A Fig. 2, with the barrel V.shown .therein in side elevation;

Fig. 5` is a lateral section ,taken substantiall Yon the line 5-5-of ',Fig. 2;

Y .Fig..6 isa horizontal section taken substantially ,on theline 6 6 of Fig. 1 and showing the barrel V,partially .in topplan `and a modified means for retaining the blocking element springs in the barrelf .FigL *lisa transverseY section similar to Fig. 3, showing the barrel rotated by a master key to V.release position for removal from the casing;

. a cylindrical casing, designated generally by .reference numeral II, and a barrel, indicated generally by reference numeral I2, rotatably mounted therein. The casing II may be given the standard, or anyother desired configuration, so long as the -bore thereof is properly dimensioned to re- At its rear end, the casing is lcounterbored to receive a ring I3 (Fig. 2) which may be press-fitted therein and Vfunctions as'a rear bearing for the barrel I2 as well-as to closethe Aotherwise open spaces between the'periphery of the barrel I2 and the casing lII againstentry of foreign matter (Figs. 3, 5 and 7.).

V Inxthe form herein illustrated, the rear end of the the bolt-actuating cam I5 thereon, and a suitable spring lock-washer I'I may be interposed between this loc-k nut I6 and the cam I5 to insure proper `retention of the vlatter on the barrel I2.

If desired, these members I5, I6 and I'I also may function to retain the barrel I2 in the casing II,

, although means preferably are provided in the Vinstant lock for preventing unauthorized removal f of the barrel from the casing, even though the members I5, I6 and I7 be removed from the barrel. This vmeans will be described in detail hereinafter.

The barrelfIZ is so formed as to receive the l instant locking mechanism and maintain the severalrpa-rts thereof as a unitary assemblage, and

this locking mechanism comprises a plurality of vertically movable blocking elements I8 and a pair of diametrically opposed locking bars or members I9, I9a. Each of the blocking elements I8 is slidably mounted in a vertical or transverse slot 2I, five of the latter being illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention,which are spaced equidistantly from each other in the manner best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. These slots 2| may be formed in the barrel I2 by a suitable broaching operation, or the barrel may be formed by die casting to include the slots 2I. A drill is passed .upwardly through the central portion of each of the slots 2I to provide a suitable guide aperture yfor .a coil vspring 22. This drilling operation is terminated just after the point of the drill cxtends beyond the outer surface of the barrel I2, so as to leavean upper shoulder 23 (Fig.`2) as a means for-retaining the upper'end ofthe associated spring 22. 'The vlower Vend of each -coil r,spring 22' engages a transverse central portion V2li of the associated blocking element I8 to resist upwardrnovement of the latter from its normal position of Fig. `3. Each of the blocking elements 'Y I8 is HV-'shapedfas best seen in Figs. 3,V 7 and 8,

to Yprovide such transverse central portion 24, and the ends of the leg portions thereof are rounded ofi to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the barrel I2.

Asbest seen in Figs. 4,15 and 6, the barrel I2 also is provided with a pair 'of diametrically opposed and longitudinally extending slots 25 in its outer surface for VreceivingA the two locking members I9, I9a. These slots 25 prevent end-wise or longitudinal movement of their associated locking members I9, I9a but permit inward and outward sliding of the locking members relative to the barrel. In order to retain the locking members I9, -I9a -on `the barrel I2 when the latter is removed from the casing I'I, and also to urge these locking members to their normal outermost positions of Figs. 3 and 5, a pair of split rings 26 are provided, each of which passes through a suitable vertically -disposed aperture 2'1 in the locking members I9, I9a land embraces the barrel I2 in the manner Yillustrated in Fig. 5. The barrel is provided'with a pair of circumferential grooves 28 for receiving these rings 26, and the lattery are `so formed as vto urge the locking members I9, I9a to their gitudinally extending recesses or slots, each of which terminates at its lower end in a horizontallyl disposed, inwardly and downwardly Asloping Vcam surface 29, and at its upper end in a vertical shoulder 3I. These recesses permit limited movement of, the associated locking member I9, the outer edge of which normally is disposed therein, upon rotation of the barrel I2 relative to thecasing II in a given' direction, when the locking member I9 is maintained Vin its normal outermost position. In addition-to being resiliently retained in such outermost position by the split rings 26, the locking members I9 also normally are positively maintained therein Vand restrained againstinwardlsliding movement to inoperative position in their slots 25 by the several blocking elements I8.Y As best seen in Fig. 3, the outer edge surfaces of these blocking elements I8 normally are disposed 'in substantial contact Vwith the inner edge surfaces of theV locking members I9, I9a to perform this blocking function.

l Each of the blocking elementsAI8, however, is

provided with one or more locking

member relief slots

32, 32a formed in the outer edge surfaces thereof. Upon vertical movement of all of the blocking elements I8 to position these

slots

32, 32a opposite or in horizontal registry with their associated locking members I9, IBa, the latter may be moved inwardly in their slots 25 a suifcient distance to bring the outer edges thereof into the plane of the outer surface of the barrel I2. Such released or inoperative position of a locking member I9 is illustrated at the right side of Fig. 7. The necessary movements of the several blocking elements I8 to so` dispose them in such inoperative positions, is accomplished by the insertion of akey having the proper conformation into the barrel I2. `The body of the latter is provided with a transversely extendingl key slot 33 which preferably has a `key-guiding rib 34 (Fig. l) extending along one side thereof. As a key of the proper conformation is inserted into this slot 33, the upper edge thereof will comein contact with the lower surface of the transverse central portions 24 of the several blocking elements I8 to lift the latter against the action of their associated springs 22. Thus, the act of inserting a key into the lock, if the upper edge of the key has the proper conformation, `willrresult in the several `blocking elements I8 being moved to, and maintained thereby in, their respective released `or inoperative positions. As shown in Fig. 3, the locking member relieving slots in the two lateral edges of this blocking element I8 `are designated, respectively, by the

numerals

32 and 32a, and are Adisposed at different distances from the lower edge of the blocking element. Consequently, in

order to align these

slots

32 or 32a horizontally with their associated locking members I9 or I9a, it is necessary that insertion of a key move the blocking element upwardly different distances. It also will be apparent from Fig. 3 that raising of the blocking element I8 a sufficient distance to align the slot 32 with the locking member I9, will permit inward movement of the latter, so far as this blocking element I8 is concerned, but the latter will still be in such position as to block inward movement of the other locking member IBa, since such vertical movement of the blocking element is insuiicient to align the other slot 32a with the locking member I9a,

It is contemplated that all of the blocking elements I8 may be formed identically with that shown in Fig. 3, in order to facilitate the manufacture `of the instant lock. As therein shown,

slot 32| is` disclosed as being disposed the same distance from the upper edge of element I8 as slot 32a is disposed from the lower edge thereof.

Consequently, a double reversal of this blocking element Ifrom `its position of Fig. 3, comprising an end-for-end and a `front-to-rear turning thereof, would result in slot 32 assuming an identical position to that shown in Fig. 3 for slot 32a, and vice versa.` Likewise, a plain endfor-end reversal `of this blocking element I8 from its position of Fig. 3 would result in the same relationship between these slots and their then associated locking members i as `exists in this figure, since the slots are disposed at the 'same distance from the opposite ends of the blocking element. It will be readily understood that these slots are so disclosed in the drawing merelyas a matter of convenience: to this def scription, and lthat in-actual practice` the dis- `align the slot 32 with the locking member I9a,

as is required to align it with the locking member I9 in its position of Fig. 3. Thus, it will be seen that each of the several blocking elements IS may be disposed within its retaining slot 2l in any desiredone of four different positions. With the

slots

32 and 32a disposed at different distances from their closest adjacent ends of the blocking element, this will result in an authorized person being enabled to pre-set each of these blocking elements I8 in such manner as to require any one `of four different increments of vertical movement to be applied thereto by `a key in order to align the associated relief slots horizontally with each of the locking members I9, Isa.

In order to employ a master keying arrangement with a plurality of the instant locks and to increase the possible permutations therein, it is preferred to use several diiferent blocking elements I8, each having their

relief notches

32 and 32a. disposed at different distances :from a given transverse reference line. For practical purposes, such theoretical reference line is taken as a transverse line through the upper surface of the central portion 2li of each H-shaped element I8. The plurality of diierent blocking elements I8 are formed with the horizontal center lines of their

relief notches

32 and 32a, one in each lateral edge of the central portion 24, at different distances spaced downwardly from this theoretical reference line. For example, the lateral edges of the blocking elements between this reference line and a, lower parallel line thru the lower surface of the central portion 2li may be divided into six equal increments which, together with such upper and lower reference lines, locate seven stations on each lateral edge. These stations locate theI centers of the differently placed relief notches, one in each edge, of the different blocking elements I8. Of course,

any other desired spacing method maybe einber of combinations the manufacturer wishes to make available.

And with such different blocking elements I8 available, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that ,substitution of one otherblocking elements for those in a given lock, having their notches 3E located similarly to the notches 32 in the elements in the lock but with their notches 32a differently located from the notches of those in the lock, will not effect release of locking member lil by a key,` such as a master key, formed to effect release thereof with the original blocking elements, but will prevent release of blocking member Ilia by thesame key which would have been effective to release it with the original elements. l

`The two locking members I9 and Ita are promorethn one key :with the instant lookin 'the several blocking elements I3 will move each of the latter vertically, upon insertion into the lock, to dispose all of the relief slots 32a in horizontal alignment with their associated locking 'member I9a. Subsequent rotation of the barrel I2,v in a` clockwise direction relative to the casing I-I (as viewed in Fig. 1) by turning of the inserted key will result in this released locking member 19a being moved inwardly against the spring action -of the Vsplit rings 25 by contact with the associated cam surface 29 of the casing II.. As viewed in Figs. 3 and 5J such unlocking rotation of thebarrel by a iirst or standard key will be in a counter-clockwise direction. While the 'insertion of such a key in the keyway 33 will not result in release of the other locking vmember I9, such rotation of the barrel is permitted because of the relief or clearance provided in the casing for the resulting opposite rotational movement of this other locking member I9. However, such unlocking rotation of the barrel will be Vlimited by contact of this other locking member I9 with its associated shoulder 3 I.

Likewise, insertion of a second or master key of different but proper conformation into the slot 33 Aof the lock will result in vertical movement being imparted thereby to the several blocking elements I8, against the action of their springs 22, to align their slots 32 with the other locking member I9. Rotation of the barrel I2 in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1, or a clockwise direction viewing Figs. 3, 5 and 7, will thereby be permitted. In Fig. 7, such partial rotation of the barrel I2 relative to the casing II is illustrated, wherein a portion of a second or master key 35 is shown in operative position in the key slot 33. clearly illustrates how the locking member I9 has been cammed inwardly by such rotation of the key and barrel by the camming action of the surface 29 against the outer edge of the locking member I9.

kFrom the above description, it will be appreciated that the different blocking elements I 8 in the locking mechanism each may be formed with their notches 32 vand 32a horizontally alignedrwith each other, so that either locking Y member I9 or I9a may be released by the same key. This is `of particular utility where it is desired to incorporate the instant locking mechanismV in a lock of generally different characteristics from that herein specifically illustrated,V Y wherein master-keying is not desired.

. Means are provided for enabling authorized removal of the barrel I2 from the casing I I to facilitate the setting of a different combination in the lock by repositioning or replacing one or more of 'described herein, but for such means, removal from the rearend yof the barrel of the members `VI5, I6 land I'I (Fig. 2) would enable such removal definedv bythe rib '3| andthe cam surfaces 219,

'This figure also 's the several blocking elements I8. As previously Y in which the-locking membersA I9v and I 9a, normally are disposed. However, adjacent the forward end of the bore of the casing an annular groove which passes through the rib 3| and, together with the counter-bore -provided in the. forward-end of the casing for accommodating the outer end Yflange on the barrel I2, denes a semiannular rib 36 (Figs. 2 and 4) which extends below and between the two cam surfaces 29 (Fig. 7). Mounted within this annular groove is a split `ring 31, which is press iitted therein to prevent rotation of the ring relative to the casing. The ends of this ring 3l are spaced a short distancefrom each other, as shown at 33 in Figs. 1, 4 and 7. Normally, the locking members I9 and I9a are disposed rearwardly of, and in substantially abutting relationship relative to, this ring 31,'as best ,seen in Fig. 6, so that thering 37 alone is suicient to normally prevent outward or withdrawal move.- ment of the barrel I 2 relative to the casing. 1 -Inward movement of the locking member I9a, re-

sulting from insertion and rotation of a first or Yblocked against outward longitudinal .movement by the ring 3i. If a second or the master key 35 is inserted into the lock and thebarrel turned thereby to the position of Fig. 7, however, such unlocking action will result in the inward movement of the locking memberY I9 beyond theinner periphery of the retaining ring 31, and the other locking member 19a will be aligned with the space 38 between the ends of the split retaining ring 31. Consequently, longitudinal withdrawal of the barrel i2 from the casing I I is permitted in thispartially unlocked position ol Fig. 7.

Upon withdrawal of the barrel I2 from the casing I I after rotation thereof to the position illustrated in Fig. 7, the several blocking elements I8 will be retained in the barrel by the key 35, since radial expulsion of the latter from the key slot 33 of the barrel, by the springs 22, will be prevented by the guide rib 34. After the barrel has been removed from the casing, however, it may be turned to an inverted position and the key 35 withdrawn longitudinally from the slot 33. Any one or more of the blocking elements I3 then may be withdrawn from their associated slots 2I and reversed and repositioned therein or replaced by other and different elements as desired, to change the combination of the lock. Insertion of a new key having the proper upper edge oonformation into the barrel then will enable re-insertion of theV barrel into the casing Il. Such withdrawal of the barrel from the casing is greatly facilitated by the action of the split rings 26 Ain their additional function of-maintaining the locking members I9 and I9a in their associated slots 25. Of course, the barrel cannot be re-inserted in the casing except by manual movement of the locking member I9 inwardly to its inoperative position of Fig. 7, and this cannotbe accomplished with any degree of facility unless a key having the -means are provided AforV retaining the locking Vmechanisrr'i in, thehousing which vare comparable aeaazia tothe instant members I5, I6 and I1. If the lock housing or casing I I is made as a die casting, the ring 3'I may be formed integrally therewith, rather than as a separate member as shown herein. The reason for making this ring 31 as illustrated is because the instant casing I I is broached endwise to provide the longitudinal recesses between ribs 3l and 36.

The instant locking mechanism also incorporates novel means for rendering the same substantially pick-proof. As is` well understood in the art, anyone attempting to unlock such a mechanism relies upon his sense of touch to indicate when each of the blocking elements i3 hasv been moved individually to an inoperative position. This is accomplished by insertion of a thin tool into the keyway and thereby maintaining a rotative pressure lagainst the barrel. With such pressure being maintained, another tool or pick is inserted into the key slot, and each of the blocking elements I8, in order, is moved individually thereby against the action of its spring 22. During such movement of a blocking element I8, the above-mentioned rotative pressure is maintained so that an abnormal lateral pressure of the active locking member I9 against the blocking elements I8 results. Consequently, an individual with the requisite skill might be enabled `to ascertain the inoperative position of each of the blocking elements I8 by virtue of the hardly preceptible lessening in `resistance against upward movement thereof when the relief slot 32 is moved into alignment with the active locking member I9. In order to `obviate such deciphering of the combination of the lock, the blocking elements I8 are provided in their lateral edges with additional slots 39 (Figs. 3, 7 and 8) which comprise ffoolersj since they are more shallow thanl the regular relief slots 32, but still will relievefthe blocking element I8 from the pressure applied thereto by the active locking member I9, if aligned with the latter during an attempted lock-picking operation. These auxiliary slots 39, however, are not suiciently deep to permit inward movementof the locking members I9 to their inoperative position.` While it issubstantially impossible to pick the instant locking mechanism even in the absence of `these auxiliaryslots 39, the latter inject an additional hazard in'thepath of anyone attempting to pick the lock-sufficient to `guarantee against a successful leek-picking operation. a In Fig. 8 a blocking element I8' is illustrated which is a modification of tho-se shownelsewhere, and indicated by reference numeral I8, the two` regular relief notches 32 being shown as located at different stations or distances from the upper and lower reference lines in the planes, respectively, `of the upper `and lower surfaces 24a and 24h ofthe central portion `24. This modified blocking element I8 incorporates a fooler notch 39 in each lateral edge and a Asecond such shallow notch 39 in one of its edges `to illustrate the possibility of employing a plurality of these fooler notches.

. Fig. 6 illustrates amodied arrangement for housing the springs 22 and retaining themV inescapably in the barrel I2. In this` modified form, the barrel I2 is drilled from above centrally of each of the transverse slots 2| to provide spring-receiving apertures terminating' in horizontal shelves or shoulder 4I just below the center of the barrel. A longitudinal groove 42 also is milled in the upper surface of the barrel. It will be apparent that these spring-receiving 10- recesses and the groove 42 may be formed .directly in the barrel, if the latter is die cast. After the springs 22 have been inserted in these re-,L

cesses during assembly of the locking mechanism, a strip or bar 43 is placed in the groove 42 and rigidly secured in any desired manner to the barrel I2, as by a crimping over of portions of the edges of the groove 42, as indicated in Fig. 6 at 44, by swaging or stamping. The springs 22 thus are inescapably retained within the barrel I2.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood fromV the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a permutation lock having a stationary casing, a barrel rotatably mounted in said casing, and a locking member carried by said barrel for rotation therewith and normally extending beyond the outer surface of said barrel for cooperation with said casing to prevent rotation of the barrel relative to the casing; a plurality of blocking elements mounted in said barrel with their lateral edges substantially in engagement with said locking member to normally prevent inward movement of said locking member relative to the barrel and having relief notches.` in said lateral edges, whereby longitudinal movement of said blocking elements from normal to inoperative positions by a key of proper conformation to align said relief notches with said locking member will permit inward movement of said locking member to enable rotation of said barrel relative to said casing, each of said plurality of blocking elements being of symmetrical configuration and having at least one relief notch in each of its lateral edges `spaced longitudinally from its ends at different distances, whereby said blocking elements Vare individually reversible end-for-end and front-to-rear to any desired one of four possible normal positions.

2. In a permutation lock having a casing,` and a barrel rotatably mounted therein; locking, mechanism for preventing unauthorized unlocking rotation of said barrel, comprising alocking member mounted on said barrel and having an outer edge portion normally extending beyond the outer surface thereof, means mounted on said barrel and engaging with said locking member to resiliently maintain the latter in its normal outermost position, a cam surface formed interiorly of said casing for engaging the outer edge' of said locking member to move the latter inwardly to an inoperative position against the action of said resilient means upon rotation of said barrel relative to said casing, and a plurality ofelements mounted in said barrel for normally blocking such inward movement of said locking member by a side edge of each of said elements being disposed in the path of movement of the inner edge of said locking member, whereby said cam surface normally prevents unlocking rotation of the barrel relative to the casing, said blocking elements having relief notches differently located in each of their side edges alignable to receive the inner edge of said locking member by individual movement of the blocking elements to inoperative position by a keyof proper conformation to permit unlocking rotation Y ll of the barrel and to enable Vremoval of the latter from the casing to effect a change of combination in the lock, said locking member having apertures therethrough and said resilient means passing through said apertures for retaining said locking member in normal position on the barrel upon removal thereof from the casing, and said blocking elements being mounted for ready removal from the barrel upon removal thereof from the casing and of symmetrical conformation to enable individual reversal to any selected one of a plurality of possible normal positionsA to effect selected changes in combination.

3. A lock, comprising a stationary casing having a bore with a pair of recesses each of which extends longitudinally and circumferentially over approximately a quadrant of a circle and terminates at one side in a cam surface substantially diametrically disposed from the other and at the other side in a shoulder, a barrel rotatably mounted in said casing, locking mechanism carried by said barrel and including a pair of locking members ea-ch normally extending outwardly beyond the outer surface of said barrel into a said recess, and a plurality of blocking elements normally disposed in operative position with their said edges engaging the inner edges of said locking members for preventing inward movement of either of said locking members from their operative positions, said locking members cooperating respectively with said cam surfaces in their operative positions each to prevent rotation of the barrel relative to the casing in one direction only, and relief means in the form of notches in each side edge of each said blocking element spa-ced at different distances from one kend of each of said blocking elements, whereby when the notches in one edge of said blocking elements are aligned, said barrel may be rotated in one direction by virtue of the associated locking member being retracted by one of said cam surfaces, and when the notches in the other edge of said blocking elements are aligned, the barrel may be rotated in the opposite direction by virtue of the associated locking member being retracted by the other said cam surface.

4. A lock according to claim 3, in which said casing is provided with retaining means cooperating with said locking members in their operative positions to prevent longitudinal withdrawal ofthe barrel from the casingjand having a passage therein to provide clearance for one of said locking members in its operative position when in its associated said recess of the bore of the lcasing and aligned therewith by partial rotation of the barrel following retraction of the other said lockingmember by its associated said cam surface out of cooperative relationship with said retaining means to enable authorized removal of the barrel'from the casing.

5. In a lock having a stationary casing and a barrel rotatably mounted therein, locking mechanism for preventing removal of the barrel from the casing, comprising a pair of locking members mounted on said barrel for sliding movement inwardly and outwardly only relative thereto, spring means mounted on said barrel and engaging said locking members to normally resiliently maintain the same in an outermost operative position with the outer edges thereof extending beyond the outer surface of said barrel, an annular ridge formed in said casing for cooperation with the forward ends of said locking members, whenl the Vlatter are in operative position, t prevent forward withdrawal of the barrel from the casing and having a longitudinalhslotperiph-: erally spaced from said locking members when the" latter are in normal 'operative position, and said casing having a bore having a pair of recesses each of which extends longitudinally and circumferentially over nearly a quadrant of a circle and terminates at one side in a longitudinally disposed cam surface substantially diametrically normal position will cause inward movement against the action of said spring means of one of said locking members only by its associated said cam surface to an inoperative position out of cooperative relation with said annular ridge, and rotation of said barrel relative to said casing in the opposite direction similarly will move the other said locking member only to Yan inoperative position outof cooperative relation with said annular ridge and will move said rst locking member into alignment with said longitudinal slot to enable withdrawal of the barrel from the casing.

6. In a permutation lock having a casing and a barrel mounted for rotation therein, locking mechanism carried by said barrel to normally prevent rotation of the barrel relative to the casing and adapted to be rendered, inoperative by a key of proper conformation to enable withdrawal of the barrel from the casing to permit selective changing of the combination therein, comprising a plurality of blocking elements, said barrel having a plurality of transverse slots extending completely therethrough for their full cross sectional areas for slidably housing said elements and permitting their free removal from one end thereof and a longitudinal key-receiving slotV passing therethrough, and a plurality-of coil springs having an outer diameter greater than the thickness of said slots and abutting respectively at their inner ends against a said blocking element to hold the same Vagainst said casing when said barrel is mounted therein, each of said transverse slots being enlarged centrally to receive a said coil spring and to provide inwardly extending shoulders adjacent the outer end thereof to limit outward movement of the associated spring.

7. In a permutation lock having a casing with a bore and a barrel disposed in said bore and sup-y ported thereby, locking mechanism carriedby thevbarrel and cooperating with said casing to prevent unlocking movement of the barrel relative to the casing, comprising locking means slidably mounted on said barrel, means for resiliently urging said locking means to operative position, a plurality of blocking members carried by said barrel for normally preventing movement of said locking means to inoperative poscition and mov'- able to release said locking means for movement to inoperative position to enable removal of said barrel from said casing to permit substitution of other blocking members therefor to change the combination of said locking mechanism, said barrel having a plurality of transverse slots extending completely therethrough for their full cross sectional areas for slidably housing said blocking members and permitting free removal thereof from their lower ends upon removal of the barrel from the casing, each of said transverse slotsbeing enlarged centrally from its upper end to a point short of its lower end to provide inwardly extending shoulders, a plurality of coil springs having an outer diameter greater than the thickness of said slots disposed respectively in the enlarged central portions thereof and each abutting at its lower end against a said blocking member to resiliently maintain said blocking members in normal position against the bore of said casing when the barrel is mounted in the casing, and means mounted on said barrel for engaging the upper ends of said springs to cooperate with said inwardly extending shoulders to inescapably retain said springs in said barrel upon removal thereof from the casing.

8. In a permutation lock having a casing with a bore and a barrel disposed in said bore and supported thereby, locking me-chanism carried by the barrel and cooperating with the casing to prevent unlocking rotational movement and longitudinal withdrawal of the barrel relative to the casing, comprising locking means slidably mounted on said barrel for movement radially thereof only, means for resiliently urging said locking means to operative position and engaging the locking means to retain the same on said barrel when the latter is withdrawn from said casing, a plurality of blocking members carried by said barrel for normally preventing movement of said locking means to inoperative position and movable to release said locking means for movement to inoperative position to enable removal of said barrel from said casing to permit substitution of other blocking members thereforto change the combination of said locking mechanism, said barrel having a transverse slot extending therethrough for its full cross sectional area for slidably receiving each of said blocking members, springs mounted in said barrel to resiliently maintain said blocking members in normal position against the bore of said casing, said blocking members being free to be removed from said barrel when the latter is withdrawn from said casing, the bore of said casing having an outwardly extending groove adjacent the forward end thereof, and a split ring seated in said groove for cooperation with an end of said locking means to normally prevent said longitudinal withdrawal of the barrel from the casing.

9. In a lock having a casing with a bore having a pair of longitudinally extending recesses ea-ch having cam and shoulder surfaces spaced peripherally from each other over approximately a quadrant of a circle, and a barrel rotatably mounted therein; locking mechanism for preventing unlocking rotation of the barrel in either direction relative to the casing and adapted to be unlocked selectively by either of two different keys of different conformation, comprising two locking members carried by the barrel and each i normally extending beyond the outer surface thereof into a said longitudinally extending recess for cooperation with a said cam surface of the casing to prevent unlocking rotation of the barrel in one direction relative to the casing, and a plurality of blocking elements normally disposed in operative position to prevent inward movement of either of said locking members by abutment of the outer side edges thereof with the inner edges of said locking members and having relief notches formed in said outer side edges at different distances from one end thereof adapted tobe aligned with said locking members upon longitudinal movement of the blocking elements to relief position tov permit inward movement of the locking members to enable unlocking rotation of the barrel relative to the casing, whereby insertion of a first key of proper conformation into the barrel will move all of said blocking elements into relief position with relation to one of said locking members to permit unlocking rotation of the barrel in one direction, and insertion of a second and different key of proper conformation will move all of said blocking elements to different relief positions relative to the other said locking member to permit unlocking rotation of the barrel in the other direction.

10. In a permutation lock having a casing with a bore having a pair of longitudinally extending recesses each having cam and shoulder surfaces spa-ced peripherally from each other over approximately a quadrant of a circle, and a 'barrel rotatably mounted therein; locking mechanism for preventing unlocking rotation of the 'barrel in either direction relative to the casing and adapted to be unlocked selectively by either a regular or a master key of proper conformation, comprising two locking members carried by the barrel and each normally extending beyond the outer surface thereof into a said longitudinally surface of the casing to prevent unlocking rotation of the barrel in one direction relative to the casing, and a plurality of blocking elements normally disposed in operative position to prevent inward movement of either of said locking members by abutment of the outer side edges thereof with the inner edges of said locking members and having relief notches formed in said outer side edges at different distances from one end thereof adapted to be aligned with said locking members upon longitudinal movement olf the blocking elements to relief position to permit in- Ward movement of the locking members to enable unlocking rotation of the barrel relative to the casing, whereby insertion of a regular key of proper conformation into the barrel will move all of said blocking elements into relief position with relation to one of said locking members to permit unlocking rotation of the barrel in one direction, and insertion of a master key of proper conformation will move all of said blocking elements to diiferent relief positions relative to the other said locking member to permit unlocking rotation of the barrel in the other direction, said barrel having a plurality of transverse recesses open at one end for their full cross sectional areas and each of said blocking elements being mounted respectively in one of said latter recesses for ready removal through the open end thereof when the barrel is removed from the casing to enable individual reversal of said blocking elements to any selected one of a plurality of possible normal positions to reposition said relief notches relative to said locking members to effect selectable changes in the combination in the lock.

LEO E. DEUTSCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: t

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 199,048 Felter Jan. 8,` 1878 1,965,336` FitzGerald July 3, 1934 2,003,086 Liss May 28. 1935 2,070,233 Liss Feb. 9, 193'7 2,405,911 Swanson Aug. 13, 1946