CA1153574A - Mechanical digital lock - Google Patents
Mechanical digital lockInfo
- Publication number
- CA1153574A CA1153574A CA000367710A CA367710A CA1153574A CA 1153574 A CA1153574 A CA 1153574A CA 000367710 A CA000367710 A CA 000367710A CA 367710 A CA367710 A CA 367710A CA 1153574 A CA1153574 A CA 1153574A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- block
- latch
- casing
- key
- elements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A mechanical digital lock operable through a series of mechanical operations actuated by the depression of digital keys and comprising an intellectual combination of essential mechanisms, including a plurality of keys, digital selectors, identifiers, locking means and automatic resets. The lock cannot be opened unless the predetermined digitals are sequentially depressed.
Once the lock is opened, it is automatically reset. A change of combination of digitals can easily be effected manually without any tool. With structure the lock is highly reliable.
A mechanical digital lock operable through a series of mechanical operations actuated by the depression of digital keys and comprising an intellectual combination of essential mechanisms, including a plurality of keys, digital selectors, identifiers, locking means and automatic resets. The lock cannot be opened unless the predetermined digitals are sequentially depressed.
Once the lock is opened, it is automatically reset. A change of combination of digitals can easily be effected manually without any tool. With structure the lock is highly reliable.
Description
~:~S~ 4 The present invention relates generally to mechanical digital locks and more particularly to a mechanical digital lock that is operable through a series of mechanical operations actuated by the depression of digital keys, comprising an intellectual combination of essential mechanisms including a plurality of key means, digital selecting means, identifying means, locking means and automatic resetting means. The number of digital combinations is enormous and the lock cannot be opened unless the predetermined digitals are sequentially depressed on the key board. Once the lock is opened, it is automatically reset. A change of combination of digitals can easily be effected manually without using any tool. With this structure, the lock is highly reliable.
Most traditional key-depression digital locks are of the electronic/mechanical type with complicated structure. Wiring is usually necessary upon installation and the costs of both manufacturing and installation are relatively high. The lock will be dead during circuit problems or power failure, this being the main drawback. Some types of key-depression digital locks have been recently proposed. However, their structures are rather complicated with unusually high cost and relatively low reliabili-ty. The change of digital combinations can only be effected by a skilled worker with special tools. sesides, only four digits are usually adopted. Hence their number of combinations is quite limited.
The present invention thus overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks in conventional digital locks and provides a mechanical digital lock of high reliability, comprising digital selecting means having dial arm with changeable insertions ~hich can be easily relocated to change digital combination.
Further, six up to ten dlgitals are capable of being adopted, so that the number of combination of digital becomes enormous. The -1- ,~
S7~
lock digitals cannot be detected through hearing or touch.
The present invention also provides a mechanical digital lock having mechanical means for identifying digital sequence. Key depression of a wrong sequence that deviates from the predetermlned order will result in a deadlock condition, until it is manually reset, the lock wil~ not open.
The present invention further provides a mechanica' digital lock having automatic resetting means whi~ch would o~erate automatically after the lock is opened. The lock can be used without additional operations.
The present invention again provides a mechanical digital lock havin~ uni~ue design of lock core and latch which is suitable both for use on doors of left and right swings.
The present invention also provides a mechanical digital lock with simple construction for easier manufacturing and installation, which is especially suitable for use on any kind of door.
According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical diyital lock for use on a door which opens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising: a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible externally of the casing, latch actuating means displaceably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to actuation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing, each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said l~S~S79~
selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuatirlg means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprising: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an assoclated one of sald selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each element including gate means arranged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode; all of said elements, except an initially actuable one of said elements, including stop means normally preventing movement to said release mode, all of said elements, except a finally actuable one of said elements, including stop-deactivating means response to movement of said element to its release mode for deactivating the stop means of the subsequent element to permit the latter to move to its release mode, so that all of said elements can be moved to the release mode only when actuated in proper sequence, retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each of said elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle -means is moved to lock said latch for enabling said elements to move out of said release mode.
In one embodiment of the present invention the elements each comprise first and second slidable blocks, said first block being engageable by an associated one of said selecting means, said stop means normally connecting said second block for movement with said first block and being moved to a de-activated position by said stop deactivating means of a previous by-actuated element to enable said first block to be displaced relative to said second block to define said release mode for such element.
1153S7~
Suitably, the second block when displaced together with said first block is positioned to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch, and the retaining means holds said first block and said second block when the latter is displaced together with said first block.
In one particular aspect thereof, the present invention ~rovides a mechanical digitallock for use on a door whi~h ~pens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising; a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible external~y of the casing, latch actuating means displaceably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to acutation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, each selecting means comprising:
a plurality of sets of selecting arms, the number of sets of arms corresponding in quantity to the number of digits in the lock combination, and a removable insert disposed upon one selecting arm of each set and arranged to be engaged by one of said key means, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuating means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprisina: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an associated one of said selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each 57~L
element including yate means axrarlged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode, retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each of saia elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle means is moved to lock said latch.
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanical digital lock according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway front view of the same embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the same embodiment;
Flg. 4 is a back view of the key panel;
Fig~ 5 is a perspective view of the digital selecting means thereof;
Fig. 6 is an e~plodecl perspective view of the digital selecting arms;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the digital identi-fication means thereof;
Fig. 8 is a top view of the digital identification means;
Fig. 9, which is on the same sheet as Fig. 4, is a partial cutaway side view of the digital identification means;
Fig. 10 is a partial cutaway front view showing the relation between the core plate and the latch means;
Fig. 11 is a partial cutaway side view showing the relation between the core plate and the latch means;
~3~i7~
Fi~ 12 is a ~artial cuta~ay perspective view showing the essential part of the resetting means;
Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the installation of the locls in concern; and Fig. 14 (A) and (B) are side views showing the operation of the lock in concern.
Referring to Figs. l to 3, the mechanical digital lock of the present invention comprises a casing 1, frame 2, key means 3, digital selecting means 4, identifying means 5, core plate 6, latch means 7, resetting means 8, knob 9, inside opening means 10, base plate 11 and face plate 12~
The casing l has an upper case la and a lower case lb, and is detachably mounted by screws on the side walls of the base plate 11. The casing encloses therein the whole mechanical means M of the lock. The upper case la is detachably mounted upon the upper end of the lower case lb with screws. The frame
Most traditional key-depression digital locks are of the electronic/mechanical type with complicated structure. Wiring is usually necessary upon installation and the costs of both manufacturing and installation are relatively high. The lock will be dead during circuit problems or power failure, this being the main drawback. Some types of key-depression digital locks have been recently proposed. However, their structures are rather complicated with unusually high cost and relatively low reliabili-ty. The change of digital combinations can only be effected by a skilled worker with special tools. sesides, only four digits are usually adopted. Hence their number of combinations is quite limited.
The present invention thus overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks in conventional digital locks and provides a mechanical digital lock of high reliability, comprising digital selecting means having dial arm with changeable insertions ~hich can be easily relocated to change digital combination.
Further, six up to ten dlgitals are capable of being adopted, so that the number of combination of digital becomes enormous. The -1- ,~
S7~
lock digitals cannot be detected through hearing or touch.
The present invention also provides a mechanical digital lock having mechanical means for identifying digital sequence. Key depression of a wrong sequence that deviates from the predetermlned order will result in a deadlock condition, until it is manually reset, the lock wil~ not open.
The present invention further provides a mechanica' digital lock having automatic resetting means whi~ch would o~erate automatically after the lock is opened. The lock can be used without additional operations.
The present invention again provides a mechanical digital lock havin~ uni~ue design of lock core and latch which is suitable both for use on doors of left and right swings.
The present invention also provides a mechanical digital lock with simple construction for easier manufacturing and installation, which is especially suitable for use on any kind of door.
According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical diyital lock for use on a door which opens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising: a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible externally of the casing, latch actuating means displaceably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to actuation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing, each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said l~S~S79~
selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuatirlg means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprising: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an assoclated one of sald selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each element including gate means arranged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode; all of said elements, except an initially actuable one of said elements, including stop means normally preventing movement to said release mode, all of said elements, except a finally actuable one of said elements, including stop-deactivating means response to movement of said element to its release mode for deactivating the stop means of the subsequent element to permit the latter to move to its release mode, so that all of said elements can be moved to the release mode only when actuated in proper sequence, retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each of said elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle -means is moved to lock said latch for enabling said elements to move out of said release mode.
In one embodiment of the present invention the elements each comprise first and second slidable blocks, said first block being engageable by an associated one of said selecting means, said stop means normally connecting said second block for movement with said first block and being moved to a de-activated position by said stop deactivating means of a previous by-actuated element to enable said first block to be displaced relative to said second block to define said release mode for such element.
1153S7~
Suitably, the second block when displaced together with said first block is positioned to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch, and the retaining means holds said first block and said second block when the latter is displaced together with said first block.
In one particular aspect thereof, the present invention ~rovides a mechanical digitallock for use on a door whi~h ~pens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising; a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible external~y of the casing, latch actuating means displaceably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to acutation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, each selecting means comprising:
a plurality of sets of selecting arms, the number of sets of arms corresponding in quantity to the number of digits in the lock combination, and a removable insert disposed upon one selecting arm of each set and arranged to be engaged by one of said key means, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuating means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprisina: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an associated one of said selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each 57~L
element including yate means axrarlged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode, retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each of saia elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle means is moved to lock said latch.
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanical digital lock according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway front view of the same embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the same embodiment;
Flg. 4 is a back view of the key panel;
Fig~ 5 is a perspective view of the digital selecting means thereof;
Fig. 6 is an e~plodecl perspective view of the digital selecting arms;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the digital identi-fication means thereof;
Fig. 8 is a top view of the digital identification means;
Fig. 9, which is on the same sheet as Fig. 4, is a partial cutaway side view of the digital identification means;
Fig. 10 is a partial cutaway front view showing the relation between the core plate and the latch means;
Fig. 11 is a partial cutaway side view showing the relation between the core plate and the latch means;
~3~i7~
Fi~ 12 is a ~artial cuta~ay perspective view showing the essential part of the resetting means;
Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the installation of the locls in concern; and Fig. 14 (A) and (B) are side views showing the operation of the lock in concern.
Referring to Figs. l to 3, the mechanical digital lock of the present invention comprises a casing 1, frame 2, key means 3, digital selecting means 4, identifying means 5, core plate 6, latch means 7, resetting means 8, knob 9, inside opening means 10, base plate 11 and face plate 12~
The casing l has an upper case la and a lower case lb, and is detachably mounted by screws on the side walls of the base plate 11. The casing encloses therein the whole mechanical means M of the lock. The upper case la is detachably mounted upon the upper end of the lower case lb with screws. The frame
2 comprises a pair of side walls 21-21 and two connecting plates 22 to hold a key panel box 31 tight with screws. Mechanical means M is mounted within the frame 2.
The key means 3 is mounted at the uppermost section of the frame 2 on the connecting plate 22 thereof. The key means
The key means 3 is mounted at the uppermost section of the frame 2 on the connecting plate 22 thereof. The key means
3 comprises a key panel box 31, a plurality of keys 34, say ten, usually representing numerals 0-9 and/or characters as reguired. The keys 34 are retained in key holes 33 provided in the key panel box 31 and each biased from behind by a spring 32.
Key rod 35 extends from the back of each key 34 into the case l.
For the compactness of the layout, the ten keys are arranged into two rows, five in the upper row and five in the lower row. Since it is necessary to arrange the end of key rods 35 into a single row to faci itate operation without conflict, the ends 36 of rods 35 are bent as shown in Fig. 4.
Digital selecting means 4 is disposed at a somewhat ~ 15;~7~L
lower position than key means 3, comprising a number of sets of selecting arms 41 arranged parallel from front to rear. The number of sets of arms chosen in this embodiment is six correspondin~
to a predetermined number of digits, six. Hence, each of six inserts 42 is detachably and selectively inserted on the upper end of one arm of each set of arms 41.
Each set of selecting arms 41, such as shown in Fiy. 5, comprises a number of arms corresponding to the number of the keys, in this case, ten. Each member of arm set 41 comprises an upward-ly extended upper arm 41a, each set of arms 41 having a lower arm41b extending from just one of the lower end of the ten arms 41, in the set. Since each lower arm, having forwardly bent tip 411, extends from a different set of arms to avoid ~heir overlapping, each of the six sets of arms is consolidated to provide axle plates 41c at their ends and with bearing socket 43 pivotally mounted on the side wall 21 of the frame 2, so that each set of arms can swing freely about the said axle plate 41c. For the compactness of layout, the axle plates 41c are disposed at two diEferent levels. In the meantime, to facilitate the lower tips 411 of downwardly extended lower arm 4lb reaching the identifying means which is prearranged in a single row, the upper/lower arms 41a/41b of the arm 41, except the left-hand one (the first one), are bent to a different extent in the shape " ~ " with various lengths of horizontal spacing, so that the tips 411 can be within a same plane where the identifying means is located.
Referring also to Fig. 6, it can be seen that each upper arm 41a of the ten arms in the set has one or two positioning holes 412 to facilitate the insertion of the inser's 42. The position of the inserts is set by projected nipples 421 provided inside the socket 42a of the inserts 42 to lock into the - respective positioning holes 412. Each set of the six sets of selecting arms 41 is provided with one of such inserts 42. Upper ~535i74 arm 42b of the insert 42 extends forwardly and is arranged to be touched by the end 36 of rod 35 o~ a depressed key. A gap is therefore maintained between the rod end 36 and the upper arm 42b of the insert 42. Since it is desired that the uppex arm 42b to be in alignment with the single row ends 36, the bend of the upper arms 42b except the one closest to the key, into a "~ " is necessary, and the extent of the bends varies with the increasing length of the horizontal portion from left to right.
It is also necessary that the inserts 42 are so placed from the set closest to the key to the rearest set according to the predetermined order of digital numbers.
The ldentifying means 5 is located under the selecting means 4, such as shown in Figs. 7 to 9. It comprises a front fixing plate 51a, a rear fixing plate 51b, and a guide plate 52 fixed between the two plates 51a, 51b. A plurality of sets (corresponding to the number of selecting arm sets 41, i.e. six sets) of elements each element comprising a front sliding block 53a and a rear sliding block 53b which blocks are slidably mounted as a pair on the guide plate 52. A claw 54 is pivotally disposed on plate 52 and between adjacent pairs of block 53a-53b.
A stopper 55 is disposed on each front sliding block 53a except on the first or left-hand block 53a. A return spring 56 is provided between each front sliding block 53a and the front fixing platè 51a, and a compression spring 57 is disposed between the front and rear sliding blocks 53a, 53b, of each pair.
The ~ront fixing plate 51a and the rear fixing plate 51b are both of "U" shaped cross section. However, plate 51a is larger than plate 51b, the yuide plate 52 being clamped between them and fixed by screws. ~uiding grooves 521 corresponding to the number of selecting arm sets 41, i.e. six, are evenly spaced on the guiding plate 52. The front and rear sliding blocks 53a, 53b are slidably mounted in palrs on the plate 52 with their ~iS3~
slidin~ channel formed on individual ~ates or legs 53a' and 53b' inserted into the guiding groove 521. A recess 531 is formed in the front wall of the front slidiny block 53a, a spring 56 with its one end retained in said recess 531 and the other end pushed against the front fixing plate 51a. Upon each front sliding block 53a, disposed in front is a wedge-like projection 532 which is opposite to a straight rear wall 533. At the back of said rear wall 533, a spring retaining stud 534 is provided. While on the front side of the wall 533, a hook like projection 535 is disposed. setween projections 532 and 535, a stopper 55 is mounted with a pivot pin 551. Biased by the force of spring 58, the front end 552 of the stopper 55 tends to rotate .o the left, yet ~he rear end 553 of the stopper 52 abuts against the side surface of the projection 535 to ensure a limited projection of the front end 552. An inclined surface 536 is formed in front of the leg 53a' of the front sliding block 53a. At the bottom of the inclination, a locking recess 537 is drilled.
The rear sliding block 53b has a rear wall 501. A
spring retaining stud 502 is disposed on the inner side opposite the stud 534 on front sliding block 53a. A compression spring 57 is retained between the studs 502-534. An arm 503 extends forwardly from the side of the rear sliding block 53b. A
triangular shaped stopper 504 is formed at the tip of the arm 503 to be almost in contact with the projected end 552 of the stopper 55.
The hook shaped claw 54 is pivoted through a pin 541 to the guide plate 2 at a position between adjacent grooves 521, and biased by a spring 542 to force its claw end 543 to have its rear inclination 544 constantly pressed against the inclination on projection 535. The front end 543 of the claw 54 keeps an appropriate gap with the front end 552 of the stopper 55.
Lock core plate member 6 having a side cross section of ~L~$357~
" ~ " shape is disposed under the identifying means 5, such as shown in Figs. 10, 11. The core plate member 6 comprises a front plate 61, a back plate 62 and a bottom plate 63 On the front plate 61, one lon~ claw 64 and short claw 65 are formed.
A toothed portion 66 having a plurality of teeth is formed on the back plate 62, in a position under the blocks 53a, 53b, with the projected teeth just engaging into a continuous groove 59 formed between the legs 53a', 53b' of the blocks 53a, 53b.
A rectangular aperture 68 with a vertical flap 67 punched out along one side is disposed at the center of the front plate 61 of the core plate 6. A pair of arms 621, 631, extend from both sides of the back plate 62 and the bottom plate 63, respectively, and are slidably inserted into pairs of guides 23 provided on side walls 21 of the frame 2 for supporting the core plate 6.
A return spring 69 is provided on the left arm 621 to bias the core plate against the right side wall 21. A rotatable arm 60 is pivoted on a pin 601 on the inner center of the base plate 11, with its upper and lower end engaged respectively with the latch 7 and the short claw 65 to provide for the door opening.
Latch means 7 is provided laterally across the central part of the frame 2 and located between the selecting means 4 and the identifying means 5. Latch 7 with its one end formed into a wedge head 71 and the other base end 73 having a central recess 72 is slidably mounted into a pair of horizontal guides 24 formed on the two side walls 21 of the frame 2. The base end 73 of the latch 7 is slipped into a closed end nylon socket 25 inserted in one of the horizontal guides 24. A spring 74 is retained between the socket 25 and the central recess 72 to bias the latch to cause its wedge head to extend out of the side wall 21. A follower member 75 having a left plate 75a and a right plate 75b is - detachably clamped to the middle of the latch 7. The bent end of the long claw 64 extends at the right side of the left follower plate 75a, so that when the core plate 6 moves to the left, the claw 64 pulls the follower member 75 to the left against the spring 74 to cause the withdrawal of the wedge head 71 of the latch 7 into the frame 2 to open the door. The core plate 6 thus functions as a latch actuating means.
The resetting means is located under the identifying means 5 and is parallel to the core plate 6 such as shown in Fig. 12. It comprises a supporting rack 81 having an "S" shaped cross section. The rack 81 with its two ends passes through two vertical posts 82 and moves freely up and down thereon. The lower end of each post 82 is fixed at the lower part of the frame 2 while its upper end passes through the bottom of the guide plate 52 and is limited by a snap ring 83. A spring 84 is provided at the lower end of said post 82 in a position between the supporting rack 81 and the frame 2 to bias the said rack upward. A spacing sleeve is disposed on the post 82 between the guide plate 52 and the rack 81 to keep a constant distance therebetween. On the said rack 81, a plurality of retaining or locking pins 86 corresponding to the position of the front sliding block 53a are disposed with their upper ends passing through the guide plate 52 and extending thereabove under the front inclination 536 of the block 53a, while their lower ends are allowed to extend under the lower deck 81L of the rack 81 to a certain extent. A
snap ring 87 is provided at the middle section of the locking pin 86 and just under the upper deck 81U of the rack 81. Between the snap ring 87 and the middle deck 81M of the rack 81, a spring 88 is provided to bias the pin 86 upward. ~hen the front sliding block 53a moves forward, the pin 86 will fall in the recess 537 and retain the sald block in position.
A knob means 9 is provided at the front center of the frame 2, with a knob handle 90 disposed out of the face plate 12, and socket sleeve 91 extending inwardly through the face plate 12, 1~5~574 base plate 11 to reach the core plate 6. A flange 92 is formed at the inner end. From the center of the flange, a reset actuating plate 93 is further extended through the aperture 68 to reach the lower deck 31L of the supporting rack 8. A core actuating plate 94 is bent from the upper edge of the flange 92 to engage with the vertlcal flap 67. When the knob 9 is turned counterclockwise, the core actuating plate 94 engages the flap 67 to force the core plate to move to the left to open the lock.
When the knob is turned clockwise, the reset actuating plate 93 forces the rack 8 to move downwardly to accomplish manual reset.
The inside opening means 10 is provided at the center of the lower case lb. It comprises a turning knob 101 having a shaft 102 retained by a bearing 103 fixed to the lower case lb and passing into the frame 2. A cam 104 is provided at the end of the shaft 102 to engage with the riaht plate 75b of the follower member 75. When the knob 101 is turned, the cam 104 actuates the follower 75 to directly open the door from inside without the aid of the core plate 6. The base plate 11 serves to connect the face plate 12 from outside as well as the whole frame 2, and to fasten onto the inner wall of the door. The face plate 12 is a metal cover for connection with the knob 90. A rectangular opening 121 is provided to facilitate the display of the key panel 34 of the key panel box 3. Three hollow posts stick out from within to faci'ltate bolts extending from the base plate 11 passing through and fastening thereon. The variation in door thickness can be accommodated by adjustment of the thread length of the bolt.
Fig. 13 shows the way of installing the lock. According to the template furnished by the manufacturer, a rectangular opening hl, a round opening h2 and three bolt holes h3 are provided on the door. The face plate 12 is installed from the outsiae of the door with three threaded posts 122 thereon to pass through 1~ ~i35i74 the door thickness D. The base plate 11 is then installed from inside. The socket sleeve 91 is then aligned with the knob 90, and both thrusted to flt, A little turning is helpful to enable the groove provided on the sleeve 91 to be matched exactly with a projection provided inside the knob base. The three bolts are passed from inside the base plate 11, through the corresponding bolt holes formed on the base plate 11, and the bolts are fastened into three threaded post 122 of the face plate 12, so that the base plate 11 is fitted tightly against the face plate 12 with the door thickness inbetween. The fixation of the base plate 11 on the door D is further reinforced by four wood screws.
~he pre-assembled frame including the key panel box, selecting means, identifying means, resetting means, latch means, core plate etc. is inserted from above so that the latch enters into the side wall opening on the base plate 11. The whole fra~;~e is manually forced in and door knob 9 is turned a little to enable a flap 67 on the core plate 6 to be close to the core plate actuating plate 94 on the socket sleeve 91 of the knob 9. Both sides o the frame 2 are hence enclosed in the side walls of the base plate 11. Three screws are then fastened on both sides, so that the frame 2 and the base plate 11 are tightly connected. The case 1 is put on and again fastened with screws to the side walls of the base plate 11. The installation of the lock is thus finished.
Exposed outside the door are the knob 9 and key panel 31. Wedge head 71 of the latch sticks out at the side of door D into a latch pit (not shown) provided on the door sash. When the combination numbers are not depressed in a proper manner and the knob 9 is turned left, since the core plate 6 is in locked condition, teeth 66 are hardened by the legs 53a' of sliding blocks 53a. Even though the core plate actuating plate 94 is in contact with the flap 67 and tends to force the core plate 6 toward the left, the latch 7 cannot be moved and the door D cannot be opened.
1~53574 Now referring to Fig. 14 (A) and (B) when the keys 34 are depressed in a predetermined sequence, the key rods 35 in turn push the corresponding inserts 42 of the selecting arm set 41, then the lower arm tip 4lb swings about the axle center 41c and presses the rear wall 533 of the front sliding block 53a, forcing the block 53a to slide forward along the guide groove 521.
Since the first or left-hand block 53a is not provided with a stopper 55, this block 53a is free to move independently forward fromarest mode (Fig.14A) without affectingthe rear siidingblock 53b and thereby defining a release mode of the element 53, 53b (Fig. 14B). A gap "g" is then created between legs 53a'-53b' of blocks 53a, 53b to admit passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6. When the first front sliding block 53a reaches a position where the locking recess 537 thereunder is aligned with the locking pin 86, the pin 86 is forced by the spring 88 into the recess 537 thereby anchoring the block 53a, so that when the key is released from the depression, the block 53a stays without being returned by the spring 56, and the gap g is thus reserved for the passing of teeth 66 of the core plate 6.
When the first front sliding block 53a moves fowardly, the inclination of the projection 535 forces the claw 54 to move about the pivot 541 to the right or the second front sliding block 53a. The front end 543 of the claw 54 pushes the stopper 55 on the second front block 53a to the right, until said front end 543 abuts against the side wall of the second front block 53a and forces the front end 552 of the stopper 55 to withdraw -entirely. By then the front end 552 of the stopper 55 releases the stopper 504 of the arm 503 extended from the rear sliding block 53b. Thus, the claw 54 deactivates the stopper 55. There-fore when the second digit of the combination is depressed on the key panel 34, the corresponding selec'ing arm set 41 would repeat the function as aforementioned. Its lower arm 41b pushes 1~ 53S7~
forward the second front block 53a to move ahead independently and also to leave a gap "g" between legs 53a'-53b' of the second set blocks 53a, 53b to admit passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6. This process repeats until all of the six (or more) predetermined digits are depressed on the key panel, six gaps "g"
thus formed allow the free passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6, so that when the knob 9 is turned to the left to open the lock, the latch 9 is forced to the left by the actuating plate 94 through flap 67 (see Fig. 10) . The long ~:law 64 on the core plate 6 in turn pushes latch 7 to the left against the spring 74, wedge head 71 of latch 7 is thus withdrawn into the case 1 and the ]ock is opened.
The identifying means 5 serves to automatically lock up when the key is depressed in error or in a wrong sequence. More particularly, the multi-sets of front/rear sliding blocks have to be operated in a sequence from first, second, third .. tG the last. A wrong depression or depressions following a wrong digital sequence, such as to depress a second digit instead of a first, the front sliding block corresponding to the key is pushed, i.e.
the second front block is moved forward along the guide groove 521.
Since the preceding or the first digital number was not initially depressed, the first front block has not been moved forward, and the first claw 54 stays unmoved, the second front block or the front block of the wrongly depressed digit nurrber still keeps its stopper 55 from releasing the stopper 504 of arm 503 extended from the rear block 53b. The forward movement of the second front block 53a would move the rear block 53b at the same time. No gap "g"
will be created between le~s 53a~-53b' of blocks 53a, 53b. Even if an attempt is made later on to depress a series of digits in a right sequence, since the above fault has already blocked up the - expected gap "g", the continuation of gaps "g" is broken and would not let the core plate 6 get through. The block-up of the gap "g"
~Si3579~
would occur as many times as the key is wrongly depressed.
~ hen the lock is opened, all the blocks 53a remain unreleased by the pins 86. After turning the knob 9 in a counter-clockwlse direction, the resetting a_tuating plate 93 presses down the rack 81 of resetting means 8, pins 86 in turn release the front sliding blocks 53a to move backward. By then a part of the teeth 66 are still retained between the front blocks and rear blocks. The front blocks, although they have already been released by the~pin~s 86, have not yet resumed their original positions. When the knob 9 is turned to its dead end, the latch 7 withdraws fully into the case l and the door is opened. By releasiny the knob 9, the core plate 6 biased by the spring 69 restores its original position, pins 86 stick out just as in the original condition, and the front blocks biased by the spring 56 resume their original position. The resetting of the lock is thus accomplished. The latch 7 again extends out of the case, and automatically locks up the door. In case it is suspicious whether the keys have been depressed by any party before the intend-ed depression, a clockwise turniny of the knob before starting depression, produces the downward action of the resetting actuating plate 93, whereby the rack 81 is lowered to ~orce down the pins 86 so that resetting can be achieved.
When it is desired to open the lock from within, turn the knob lOl clockwise, the cam 104 in turn moves the follower 75 of the latch 7 without affecting the core plate 6 and the identifying means 5 and directly withdraws the latch 7 to open the door. sy releasing the knob 101, the latch 7 biased by the spring 7~ resumes its position, and the knob lOl returns to its original position also through the action of follower 75 and cam 104.
The above illustration refers to a door with the lock mounted on the right side as viewed from outside. The lock of ~S3~7~
the present invention is also capable of being installed to the left side of the door, The al~ernation can be easily effected by reversing the latch 7 with the nylon socket 25 replaced at the other end. In other words, put the wed~e head ~f the latch to the left and the base end 73 to the right and allow the socket 25to be covered at the base end 73. The follower member is reversely relocated which can be readily done by the manufacturer.
The lock opening operation is then as follows: The knob is still turned counterclockwise, the core plate moves to the left accordingly. Since the follower member 75A is reversely relocated, the plate on the follower member 75A is not moved by the long claw 64, only the upper end of the revolving arm 60 engages the right side of the plate 75b. Hence, the short claw 65 forces the lower end of arm 60 to move left, and arm 60 rotates about the center 601 to cause its upper end to move to the right, and pushes the latch 7 to the right through plate 75b.
The latch 7 is withdrawn to open the lock. The revolving arm 60 was inactive in the right-mounted lock, since it did not engage either of the pla~es 75a, 75b.
Combination change can be effected manually by changing the positions of inserts 42. Open upper case la, take down all the old inserts, then relocate them according to a new desired digital number~ The inserts are placed on the upper ends 41a of each arm set of ten 41, the location of the inserts in the sets corresponding to the number sequence to be depressed on the key panel. The upper ends 41a of the arm sets 41 can be marked with the figures 0 - 9, for the convenience of recognition.
Feeling by touching may be attempted by a potenti~l burglar to find out which number is active. Thus, false inserts 42 may be mounted to each of the blank upper ends 41a of the in-active numbers, so that every push of a key 34 would give the same touch, since behind rod 3~ of every key there is an insert 42.
3 ~S3574 However, eyen without the false inserts, the combination of six out of ten keys is already complicated enough for a hurglar to try out.
The lock gives an enormous number of combinations. Safe-ty is assured through the provision of selectin~, identifying means as well as the automatic resetting means. Its construction is simpler than that of similar locks. It is more easily manufactured, and the combination can be easily changed without special tools. Since no conventional ke~,~ is provided, there is no fear of losing the same.
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Key rod 35 extends from the back of each key 34 into the case l.
For the compactness of the layout, the ten keys are arranged into two rows, five in the upper row and five in the lower row. Since it is necessary to arrange the end of key rods 35 into a single row to faci itate operation without conflict, the ends 36 of rods 35 are bent as shown in Fig. 4.
Digital selecting means 4 is disposed at a somewhat ~ 15;~7~L
lower position than key means 3, comprising a number of sets of selecting arms 41 arranged parallel from front to rear. The number of sets of arms chosen in this embodiment is six correspondin~
to a predetermined number of digits, six. Hence, each of six inserts 42 is detachably and selectively inserted on the upper end of one arm of each set of arms 41.
Each set of selecting arms 41, such as shown in Fiy. 5, comprises a number of arms corresponding to the number of the keys, in this case, ten. Each member of arm set 41 comprises an upward-ly extended upper arm 41a, each set of arms 41 having a lower arm41b extending from just one of the lower end of the ten arms 41, in the set. Since each lower arm, having forwardly bent tip 411, extends from a different set of arms to avoid ~heir overlapping, each of the six sets of arms is consolidated to provide axle plates 41c at their ends and with bearing socket 43 pivotally mounted on the side wall 21 of the frame 2, so that each set of arms can swing freely about the said axle plate 41c. For the compactness of layout, the axle plates 41c are disposed at two diEferent levels. In the meantime, to facilitate the lower tips 411 of downwardly extended lower arm 4lb reaching the identifying means which is prearranged in a single row, the upper/lower arms 41a/41b of the arm 41, except the left-hand one (the first one), are bent to a different extent in the shape " ~ " with various lengths of horizontal spacing, so that the tips 411 can be within a same plane where the identifying means is located.
Referring also to Fig. 6, it can be seen that each upper arm 41a of the ten arms in the set has one or two positioning holes 412 to facilitate the insertion of the inser's 42. The position of the inserts is set by projected nipples 421 provided inside the socket 42a of the inserts 42 to lock into the - respective positioning holes 412. Each set of the six sets of selecting arms 41 is provided with one of such inserts 42. Upper ~535i74 arm 42b of the insert 42 extends forwardly and is arranged to be touched by the end 36 of rod 35 o~ a depressed key. A gap is therefore maintained between the rod end 36 and the upper arm 42b of the insert 42. Since it is desired that the uppex arm 42b to be in alignment with the single row ends 36, the bend of the upper arms 42b except the one closest to the key, into a "~ " is necessary, and the extent of the bends varies with the increasing length of the horizontal portion from left to right.
It is also necessary that the inserts 42 are so placed from the set closest to the key to the rearest set according to the predetermined order of digital numbers.
The ldentifying means 5 is located under the selecting means 4, such as shown in Figs. 7 to 9. It comprises a front fixing plate 51a, a rear fixing plate 51b, and a guide plate 52 fixed between the two plates 51a, 51b. A plurality of sets (corresponding to the number of selecting arm sets 41, i.e. six sets) of elements each element comprising a front sliding block 53a and a rear sliding block 53b which blocks are slidably mounted as a pair on the guide plate 52. A claw 54 is pivotally disposed on plate 52 and between adjacent pairs of block 53a-53b.
A stopper 55 is disposed on each front sliding block 53a except on the first or left-hand block 53a. A return spring 56 is provided between each front sliding block 53a and the front fixing platè 51a, and a compression spring 57 is disposed between the front and rear sliding blocks 53a, 53b, of each pair.
The ~ront fixing plate 51a and the rear fixing plate 51b are both of "U" shaped cross section. However, plate 51a is larger than plate 51b, the yuide plate 52 being clamped between them and fixed by screws. ~uiding grooves 521 corresponding to the number of selecting arm sets 41, i.e. six, are evenly spaced on the guiding plate 52. The front and rear sliding blocks 53a, 53b are slidably mounted in palrs on the plate 52 with their ~iS3~
slidin~ channel formed on individual ~ates or legs 53a' and 53b' inserted into the guiding groove 521. A recess 531 is formed in the front wall of the front slidiny block 53a, a spring 56 with its one end retained in said recess 531 and the other end pushed against the front fixing plate 51a. Upon each front sliding block 53a, disposed in front is a wedge-like projection 532 which is opposite to a straight rear wall 533. At the back of said rear wall 533, a spring retaining stud 534 is provided. While on the front side of the wall 533, a hook like projection 535 is disposed. setween projections 532 and 535, a stopper 55 is mounted with a pivot pin 551. Biased by the force of spring 58, the front end 552 of the stopper 55 tends to rotate .o the left, yet ~he rear end 553 of the stopper 52 abuts against the side surface of the projection 535 to ensure a limited projection of the front end 552. An inclined surface 536 is formed in front of the leg 53a' of the front sliding block 53a. At the bottom of the inclination, a locking recess 537 is drilled.
The rear sliding block 53b has a rear wall 501. A
spring retaining stud 502 is disposed on the inner side opposite the stud 534 on front sliding block 53a. A compression spring 57 is retained between the studs 502-534. An arm 503 extends forwardly from the side of the rear sliding block 53b. A
triangular shaped stopper 504 is formed at the tip of the arm 503 to be almost in contact with the projected end 552 of the stopper 55.
The hook shaped claw 54 is pivoted through a pin 541 to the guide plate 2 at a position between adjacent grooves 521, and biased by a spring 542 to force its claw end 543 to have its rear inclination 544 constantly pressed against the inclination on projection 535. The front end 543 of the claw 54 keeps an appropriate gap with the front end 552 of the stopper 55.
Lock core plate member 6 having a side cross section of ~L~$357~
" ~ " shape is disposed under the identifying means 5, such as shown in Figs. 10, 11. The core plate member 6 comprises a front plate 61, a back plate 62 and a bottom plate 63 On the front plate 61, one lon~ claw 64 and short claw 65 are formed.
A toothed portion 66 having a plurality of teeth is formed on the back plate 62, in a position under the blocks 53a, 53b, with the projected teeth just engaging into a continuous groove 59 formed between the legs 53a', 53b' of the blocks 53a, 53b.
A rectangular aperture 68 with a vertical flap 67 punched out along one side is disposed at the center of the front plate 61 of the core plate 6. A pair of arms 621, 631, extend from both sides of the back plate 62 and the bottom plate 63, respectively, and are slidably inserted into pairs of guides 23 provided on side walls 21 of the frame 2 for supporting the core plate 6.
A return spring 69 is provided on the left arm 621 to bias the core plate against the right side wall 21. A rotatable arm 60 is pivoted on a pin 601 on the inner center of the base plate 11, with its upper and lower end engaged respectively with the latch 7 and the short claw 65 to provide for the door opening.
Latch means 7 is provided laterally across the central part of the frame 2 and located between the selecting means 4 and the identifying means 5. Latch 7 with its one end formed into a wedge head 71 and the other base end 73 having a central recess 72 is slidably mounted into a pair of horizontal guides 24 formed on the two side walls 21 of the frame 2. The base end 73 of the latch 7 is slipped into a closed end nylon socket 25 inserted in one of the horizontal guides 24. A spring 74 is retained between the socket 25 and the central recess 72 to bias the latch to cause its wedge head to extend out of the side wall 21. A follower member 75 having a left plate 75a and a right plate 75b is - detachably clamped to the middle of the latch 7. The bent end of the long claw 64 extends at the right side of the left follower plate 75a, so that when the core plate 6 moves to the left, the claw 64 pulls the follower member 75 to the left against the spring 74 to cause the withdrawal of the wedge head 71 of the latch 7 into the frame 2 to open the door. The core plate 6 thus functions as a latch actuating means.
The resetting means is located under the identifying means 5 and is parallel to the core plate 6 such as shown in Fig. 12. It comprises a supporting rack 81 having an "S" shaped cross section. The rack 81 with its two ends passes through two vertical posts 82 and moves freely up and down thereon. The lower end of each post 82 is fixed at the lower part of the frame 2 while its upper end passes through the bottom of the guide plate 52 and is limited by a snap ring 83. A spring 84 is provided at the lower end of said post 82 in a position between the supporting rack 81 and the frame 2 to bias the said rack upward. A spacing sleeve is disposed on the post 82 between the guide plate 52 and the rack 81 to keep a constant distance therebetween. On the said rack 81, a plurality of retaining or locking pins 86 corresponding to the position of the front sliding block 53a are disposed with their upper ends passing through the guide plate 52 and extending thereabove under the front inclination 536 of the block 53a, while their lower ends are allowed to extend under the lower deck 81L of the rack 81 to a certain extent. A
snap ring 87 is provided at the middle section of the locking pin 86 and just under the upper deck 81U of the rack 81. Between the snap ring 87 and the middle deck 81M of the rack 81, a spring 88 is provided to bias the pin 86 upward. ~hen the front sliding block 53a moves forward, the pin 86 will fall in the recess 537 and retain the sald block in position.
A knob means 9 is provided at the front center of the frame 2, with a knob handle 90 disposed out of the face plate 12, and socket sleeve 91 extending inwardly through the face plate 12, 1~5~574 base plate 11 to reach the core plate 6. A flange 92 is formed at the inner end. From the center of the flange, a reset actuating plate 93 is further extended through the aperture 68 to reach the lower deck 31L of the supporting rack 8. A core actuating plate 94 is bent from the upper edge of the flange 92 to engage with the vertlcal flap 67. When the knob 9 is turned counterclockwise, the core actuating plate 94 engages the flap 67 to force the core plate to move to the left to open the lock.
When the knob is turned clockwise, the reset actuating plate 93 forces the rack 8 to move downwardly to accomplish manual reset.
The inside opening means 10 is provided at the center of the lower case lb. It comprises a turning knob 101 having a shaft 102 retained by a bearing 103 fixed to the lower case lb and passing into the frame 2. A cam 104 is provided at the end of the shaft 102 to engage with the riaht plate 75b of the follower member 75. When the knob 101 is turned, the cam 104 actuates the follower 75 to directly open the door from inside without the aid of the core plate 6. The base plate 11 serves to connect the face plate 12 from outside as well as the whole frame 2, and to fasten onto the inner wall of the door. The face plate 12 is a metal cover for connection with the knob 90. A rectangular opening 121 is provided to facilitate the display of the key panel 34 of the key panel box 3. Three hollow posts stick out from within to faci'ltate bolts extending from the base plate 11 passing through and fastening thereon. The variation in door thickness can be accommodated by adjustment of the thread length of the bolt.
Fig. 13 shows the way of installing the lock. According to the template furnished by the manufacturer, a rectangular opening hl, a round opening h2 and three bolt holes h3 are provided on the door. The face plate 12 is installed from the outsiae of the door with three threaded posts 122 thereon to pass through 1~ ~i35i74 the door thickness D. The base plate 11 is then installed from inside. The socket sleeve 91 is then aligned with the knob 90, and both thrusted to flt, A little turning is helpful to enable the groove provided on the sleeve 91 to be matched exactly with a projection provided inside the knob base. The three bolts are passed from inside the base plate 11, through the corresponding bolt holes formed on the base plate 11, and the bolts are fastened into three threaded post 122 of the face plate 12, so that the base plate 11 is fitted tightly against the face plate 12 with the door thickness inbetween. The fixation of the base plate 11 on the door D is further reinforced by four wood screws.
~he pre-assembled frame including the key panel box, selecting means, identifying means, resetting means, latch means, core plate etc. is inserted from above so that the latch enters into the side wall opening on the base plate 11. The whole fra~;~e is manually forced in and door knob 9 is turned a little to enable a flap 67 on the core plate 6 to be close to the core plate actuating plate 94 on the socket sleeve 91 of the knob 9. Both sides o the frame 2 are hence enclosed in the side walls of the base plate 11. Three screws are then fastened on both sides, so that the frame 2 and the base plate 11 are tightly connected. The case 1 is put on and again fastened with screws to the side walls of the base plate 11. The installation of the lock is thus finished.
Exposed outside the door are the knob 9 and key panel 31. Wedge head 71 of the latch sticks out at the side of door D into a latch pit (not shown) provided on the door sash. When the combination numbers are not depressed in a proper manner and the knob 9 is turned left, since the core plate 6 is in locked condition, teeth 66 are hardened by the legs 53a' of sliding blocks 53a. Even though the core plate actuating plate 94 is in contact with the flap 67 and tends to force the core plate 6 toward the left, the latch 7 cannot be moved and the door D cannot be opened.
1~53574 Now referring to Fig. 14 (A) and (B) when the keys 34 are depressed in a predetermined sequence, the key rods 35 in turn push the corresponding inserts 42 of the selecting arm set 41, then the lower arm tip 4lb swings about the axle center 41c and presses the rear wall 533 of the front sliding block 53a, forcing the block 53a to slide forward along the guide groove 521.
Since the first or left-hand block 53a is not provided with a stopper 55, this block 53a is free to move independently forward fromarest mode (Fig.14A) without affectingthe rear siidingblock 53b and thereby defining a release mode of the element 53, 53b (Fig. 14B). A gap "g" is then created between legs 53a'-53b' of blocks 53a, 53b to admit passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6. When the first front sliding block 53a reaches a position where the locking recess 537 thereunder is aligned with the locking pin 86, the pin 86 is forced by the spring 88 into the recess 537 thereby anchoring the block 53a, so that when the key is released from the depression, the block 53a stays without being returned by the spring 56, and the gap g is thus reserved for the passing of teeth 66 of the core plate 6.
When the first front sliding block 53a moves fowardly, the inclination of the projection 535 forces the claw 54 to move about the pivot 541 to the right or the second front sliding block 53a. The front end 543 of the claw 54 pushes the stopper 55 on the second front block 53a to the right, until said front end 543 abuts against the side wall of the second front block 53a and forces the front end 552 of the stopper 55 to withdraw -entirely. By then the front end 552 of the stopper 55 releases the stopper 504 of the arm 503 extended from the rear sliding block 53b. Thus, the claw 54 deactivates the stopper 55. There-fore when the second digit of the combination is depressed on the key panel 34, the corresponding selec'ing arm set 41 would repeat the function as aforementioned. Its lower arm 41b pushes 1~ 53S7~
forward the second front block 53a to move ahead independently and also to leave a gap "g" between legs 53a'-53b' of the second set blocks 53a, 53b to admit passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6. This process repeats until all of the six (or more) predetermined digits are depressed on the key panel, six gaps "g"
thus formed allow the free passage of the teeth 66 of the core plate 6, so that when the knob 9 is turned to the left to open the lock, the latch 9 is forced to the left by the actuating plate 94 through flap 67 (see Fig. 10) . The long ~:law 64 on the core plate 6 in turn pushes latch 7 to the left against the spring 74, wedge head 71 of latch 7 is thus withdrawn into the case 1 and the ]ock is opened.
The identifying means 5 serves to automatically lock up when the key is depressed in error or in a wrong sequence. More particularly, the multi-sets of front/rear sliding blocks have to be operated in a sequence from first, second, third .. tG the last. A wrong depression or depressions following a wrong digital sequence, such as to depress a second digit instead of a first, the front sliding block corresponding to the key is pushed, i.e.
the second front block is moved forward along the guide groove 521.
Since the preceding or the first digital number was not initially depressed, the first front block has not been moved forward, and the first claw 54 stays unmoved, the second front block or the front block of the wrongly depressed digit nurrber still keeps its stopper 55 from releasing the stopper 504 of arm 503 extended from the rear block 53b. The forward movement of the second front block 53a would move the rear block 53b at the same time. No gap "g"
will be created between le~s 53a~-53b' of blocks 53a, 53b. Even if an attempt is made later on to depress a series of digits in a right sequence, since the above fault has already blocked up the - expected gap "g", the continuation of gaps "g" is broken and would not let the core plate 6 get through. The block-up of the gap "g"
~Si3579~
would occur as many times as the key is wrongly depressed.
~ hen the lock is opened, all the blocks 53a remain unreleased by the pins 86. After turning the knob 9 in a counter-clockwlse direction, the resetting a_tuating plate 93 presses down the rack 81 of resetting means 8, pins 86 in turn release the front sliding blocks 53a to move backward. By then a part of the teeth 66 are still retained between the front blocks and rear blocks. The front blocks, although they have already been released by the~pin~s 86, have not yet resumed their original positions. When the knob 9 is turned to its dead end, the latch 7 withdraws fully into the case l and the door is opened. By releasiny the knob 9, the core plate 6 biased by the spring 69 restores its original position, pins 86 stick out just as in the original condition, and the front blocks biased by the spring 56 resume their original position. The resetting of the lock is thus accomplished. The latch 7 again extends out of the case, and automatically locks up the door. In case it is suspicious whether the keys have been depressed by any party before the intend-ed depression, a clockwise turniny of the knob before starting depression, produces the downward action of the resetting actuating plate 93, whereby the rack 81 is lowered to ~orce down the pins 86 so that resetting can be achieved.
When it is desired to open the lock from within, turn the knob lOl clockwise, the cam 104 in turn moves the follower 75 of the latch 7 without affecting the core plate 6 and the identifying means 5 and directly withdraws the latch 7 to open the door. sy releasing the knob 101, the latch 7 biased by the spring 7~ resumes its position, and the knob lOl returns to its original position also through the action of follower 75 and cam 104.
The above illustration refers to a door with the lock mounted on the right side as viewed from outside. The lock of ~S3~7~
the present invention is also capable of being installed to the left side of the door, The al~ernation can be easily effected by reversing the latch 7 with the nylon socket 25 replaced at the other end. In other words, put the wed~e head ~f the latch to the left and the base end 73 to the right and allow the socket 25to be covered at the base end 73. The follower member is reversely relocated which can be readily done by the manufacturer.
The lock opening operation is then as follows: The knob is still turned counterclockwise, the core plate moves to the left accordingly. Since the follower member 75A is reversely relocated, the plate on the follower member 75A is not moved by the long claw 64, only the upper end of the revolving arm 60 engages the right side of the plate 75b. Hence, the short claw 65 forces the lower end of arm 60 to move left, and arm 60 rotates about the center 601 to cause its upper end to move to the right, and pushes the latch 7 to the right through plate 75b.
The latch 7 is withdrawn to open the lock. The revolving arm 60 was inactive in the right-mounted lock, since it did not engage either of the pla~es 75a, 75b.
Combination change can be effected manually by changing the positions of inserts 42. Open upper case la, take down all the old inserts, then relocate them according to a new desired digital number~ The inserts are placed on the upper ends 41a of each arm set of ten 41, the location of the inserts in the sets corresponding to the number sequence to be depressed on the key panel. The upper ends 41a of the arm sets 41 can be marked with the figures 0 - 9, for the convenience of recognition.
Feeling by touching may be attempted by a potenti~l burglar to find out which number is active. Thus, false inserts 42 may be mounted to each of the blank upper ends 41a of the in-active numbers, so that every push of a key 34 would give the same touch, since behind rod 3~ of every key there is an insert 42.
3 ~S3574 However, eyen without the false inserts, the combination of six out of ten keys is already complicated enough for a hurglar to try out.
The lock gives an enormous number of combinations. Safe-ty is assured through the provision of selectin~, identifying means as well as the automatic resetting means. Its construction is simpler than that of similar locks. It is more easily manufactured, and the combination can be easily changed without special tools. Since no conventional ke~,~ is provided, there is no fear of losing the same.
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Claims (23)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A mechanical digital lock for use on a door which opens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising: a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible externally of the casing, latch actuating means displace-ably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to actuation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing, each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuating means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprising: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an associated one of said selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each element including gate means arranged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode; all of said elements, except an initially actuable one of said elements, including stop means normally preventing movement to said release mode, all of said elements, except a finally actuable one of said element, including stop-deactivating means response to movement of said element to its release mode for deactivating the stop means of the subsequent element to permit the latter to move to its release mode, so that all of said elements can be moved to the release mode only when actuated in proper sequence, retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each of said elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle means is moved to lock said latch for enabling said elements to move out of said release mode.
2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said elements each comprise first and second slidable blocks, said first block being engageable by an associated one of said selecting means, said stop means normally connecting said second block for movement with said first block and being moved to a deactivated position by said stop deactivating means of a previous by-actuated element to enable said first block to be displaced relative to said second block to define said release mode for such element.
3. A lock according to claim 2, wherein said second block when displaced together with said first block is positioned to prevent displacement of said latch acutating means to unlock said latch.
4. A lock according to claim 2, wherein said retaining means holds said first block and said second block when the latter is displaced together with said first block.
5. A lock according to claim 1, wherein each key means includes a key rod extending from the back of an associated key.
6. A lock according to claim 5, wherein said selecting means comprises a plurality of sets of selecting arms, the number of arms of each set corresponding in quantity to said keys; the number of sets of arms corresponding in quantity to said elements, one selecting arm of each set being arranged to be contacted by one of said key rods.
7. A lock according to claim 6, wherein a removable insert is mounted on an upper end of each of said one arms, said insert being removable and positionable upon each arm of its associated set, said inserts being arranged to be contacted by said key rods.
8. A lock according to claim 7, wherein said sets of arms are arranged parallel, one behind the other, each insert including a horizontally extending portion, the forward ends of said horizontally extending portions lying on a common vertical plane.
9. A lock according to claim 7, wherein the arms of each set are interconnected and mounted for common pivotal movement; each set of arms including a single downwardly depending arm portion which is engageable with an associated one of said elements.
10. A lock according to claim 9, wherein said lower arm portions are arranged in a common plane.
11. A lock according to claim 2, wherein said identifying means is disposed beneath said selecting means and includes a guide plate carrying a plurality of guide grooves, said elements being slidable in said grooves.
12. A lock according to claim ll, wherein said stop means is mounted on said first block, said second block including a stop arm normally engageable by said stop means; said stop-deactivating means comprising a plurality of claws pivotally mounted on said guide plate between adjacent elements, said claw being engageable by the first block of a previously actuated element and swingable,thereby into engagement with said stop means of a subsequently actuable element to disengage such stop means from its associated stop arm to enable said first block of said subsequently actuable element to be displaced relative to the second block thereof by its associated selecting means.
13. A lock according to claim 12, wherein said first block includes upstanding front and rear walls; said front wall including a front surface having a recess; said rear wall including a front surface havinq a forwardly facing projection, and a rear surface having a rearwardly facing spring retaining stud;
a front spring disposed in said recess for urging said first block toward said second block, and a second spring mounted on said retaining stud and disposed between said first and second blocks.
a front spring disposed in said recess for urging said first block toward said second block, and a second spring mounted on said retaining stud and disposed between said first and second blocks.
14. A lock according to claim 13, wherein said stop means is mounted on said first block between said front and rear walls and mounted for swinging movement about a vertical axis;
a third spring normally biasing said stop means to a position wherein one end thereof abuts against said projection, and the other end thereof projects beyond a side of said first block.
a third spring normally biasing said stop means to a position wherein one end thereof abuts against said projection, and the other end thereof projects beyond a side of said first block.
15. A lock according to claim 12, wherein said first sliding block includes a bottom surface which is inclined at its front end and includes a vertical locking recess for receiving said retaining means.
16. A lock according to claim 13, wherein said second block includes an upright rear wall, a spring retaining stud disposed on a front surface of said last-named rear wall in alignment with said spring retaining stud on said first block;
said second spring retained on said studs; said stop means including a stop arm extending forwardly from one side of said second block and extending alongside said first block; said stop means further comprising a triangular stop member normally positioned to contact said stop arm.
said second spring retained on said studs; said stop means including a stop arm extending forwardly from one side of said second block and extending alongside said first block; said stop means further comprising a triangular stop member normally positioned to contact said stop arm.
17. A lock according to claim 16, wherein each of said claws is of hook-shape and is pivotally mounted on said guide plate and biased by a fourth spring whereby one portion thereof engages said projection on said first block, and another portion thereof is spaced from said stop member of a subsequent element.
18. A lock according to claim 17, wherein displacement of said first block forwardly along its associated guide groove causes said stop member thereof to engage said stop arm of said second block to displace the second block along with the front block; said projection on said first block camming its associated claw such that said other portion of the latter swings toward the subsequent element to contact the stop member thereof and swing the latter inwardly to a position permitting relative movement between the first and second blocks of said subsequent element.
19. A lock according to claim 15, wherein said retaining means includes a plurality of upwardly biased locking pins arranged to enter said locking recess of an associated one of said first blocks upon the latter being pushed forwardly.
20. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said latch actuating means includes a core plate disposed beneath said identifying means and arranged for horizontal sliding movement, said core plate including a first portion engageable with said latch means for moving said latch, and a second portion disposed beneath said elements and arranged to pass through gaps formed by said elements in their release modes.
21. A lock according to claim 20, wherein said latch is positioned for horizontal movement above said core plate and is disposed vertically between said selecting means and said identifying means.
22. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said resetting means comprises an S-shaped horizontal supporting rack mounted for vertical movement; spring means biasing said rack upwardly;
said retaining means comprising a plurality of vertical locking pins biased upwardly such that upward ends thereof are disposed in the path of travel of said elements and are receivable within recesses of said elements to retain said elements in the release modes of the latter; said handle means including a reset actuating member which engages said rack when said latch is being closed, to push said rack downwardly such that said rack displaces said locking pins downwardly from engagement with said elements.
said retaining means comprising a plurality of vertical locking pins biased upwardly such that upward ends thereof are disposed in the path of travel of said elements and are receivable within recesses of said elements to retain said elements in the release modes of the latter; said handle means including a reset actuating member which engages said rack when said latch is being closed, to push said rack downwardly such that said rack displaces said locking pins downwardly from engagement with said elements.
23. A mechanical digital lock for use on a door which opens and closes within a frame, said lock comprising: a casing mountable on the door, latch means carried by said casing and movable into and from locking engagement with the door frame, manually actuable handle means carried by said casing and accessible externally of the casing, latch actuating means displaceably carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and said latch means so as to be displaced in response to actuation of said handle means to move said latch means into and from said locking engagement, a plurality of key means carried by said casing, each key means including a manually displaceable key accessible externally of said casing, a plurality of selecting means carried by said casing and each arranged to be engaged and displaced by an associated one of said key means when the key thereof is displaced, each selecting means comprising: a plurality of sets of selecting arms, the number of sets of arms corresponding in quantity to the number of digits in the lock combination, and a removable insert disposed upon one selecting arm of each set and arranged to be engaged by one of said key means, identifying means carried by said casing and actuable by said selecting means to permit displacement of said latch actuating means for moving said latch from said locking position, said identifying means comprising: a plurality of independently movable elements arranged to be engaged and moved to a release mode by an associated one of said selecting means when the latter is displaced by its associated key means, each element including gate means arranged to prevent displacement of said latch actuating means to unlock said latch means unless said element is in its release mode; retaining means carried by said casing for releasably holding each-of said elements in a release mode, and resetting means carried by said casing and operably connected to said handle means and retaining means to release said retaining means when said handle means is moved to lock said latch.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000367710A CA1153574A (en) | 1980-12-30 | 1980-12-30 | Mechanical digital lock |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000367710A CA1153574A (en) | 1980-12-30 | 1980-12-30 | Mechanical digital lock |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1153574A true CA1153574A (en) | 1983-09-13 |
Family
ID=4118797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000367710A Expired CA1153574A (en) | 1980-12-30 | 1980-12-30 | Mechanical digital lock |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1153574A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112519651A (en) * | 2019-09-18 | 2021-03-19 | 速度创新公司 | Seat for a vehicle and associated vehicle |
-
1980
- 1980-12-30 CA CA000367710A patent/CA1153574A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112519651A (en) * | 2019-09-18 | 2021-03-19 | 速度创新公司 | Seat for a vehicle and associated vehicle |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |