CA1194056A - Latching system for luggage articles - Google Patents
Latching system for luggage articlesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1194056A CA1194056A CA000461399A CA461399A CA1194056A CA 1194056 A CA1194056 A CA 1194056A CA 000461399 A CA000461399 A CA 000461399A CA 461399 A CA461399 A CA 461399A CA 1194056 A CA1194056 A CA 1194056A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- combination
- latching
- latches
- nose portion
- 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
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A latching system for a luggage article comprises a pair of spaced swiveling latches mounted on the interior of a front wall of the article, the latches being connected together for swiveling movement in unison between latching and unlatching positions by means of an endless drive cable.
The latches are operated by a single manual actuator in-cluding a swiveling lever connected to one of the latches by a lost motion connection which allows the lever to be returned to a rest position after moving the latches into their latching or unlatching positions. A combination lock is provided for locking the actuator lever in the rest position except when the lock is on combination.
A latching system for a luggage article comprises a pair of spaced swiveling latches mounted on the interior of a front wall of the article, the latches being connected together for swiveling movement in unison between latching and unlatching positions by means of an endless drive cable.
The latches are operated by a single manual actuator in-cluding a swiveling lever connected to one of the latches by a lost motion connection which allows the lever to be returned to a rest position after moving the latches into their latching or unlatching positions. A combination lock is provided for locking the actuator lever in the rest position except when the lock is on combination.
Description
-~4~
LATCHING SYSTEM FOR L~GGAGE ARTICLES
This is a divisional of Canadian patent applic~tion Serlal No. 386,586 filed September 24th, 1981.
1 Background of the Invention This invention relates to a latching system suit-able for use on ~ luggage ar~icle, particularly in a la~ch-ing console which may be attached to one se~tion of a luggage article, such as an attache case or the like, for releasably securing that section to another section of the article.
It is known ~o use a latching console, or example, on the front wall of a body section of an attache or like case, for releasably securing that section to a hinged lid of the case. Such consoles commonly include a central handle-m~unting structure, a pair of spaced latch assemblies at opposite sides of the handle structure, respectively, for cooperation with fixed hasps or keepers on the hinged l;d, and actuator means for moving the latch assemblies betwe~n latehin~ and unlatching positions with respect to the hasps.
The consoles may also include a locking means, requently in the form o~ ~ com~;nation lo~k or loeks, for securin~
against unauthorized opening of the luggage article.
Various forms of latching consoles are known.
The latchin~ assemblies may, for example, include sliding or pivo~ing lat~hes, and these may be operated individually by flip-up, swivel or s~iding-type actuators. Alterna tively, the latches may be linked together through the con-sol~ for operation in unison by a single actuator, which may be positioned centrally v the cons~le, and a single lock may be provided for prev~nting unauthorized opera-tion of the ~ctuator, Known latchin~ consoles are 8hOWrl, for exam~le, in U.SO Patent No. 3,555,860, to Atkinson, issue~ January 19, 1971 and IJ. S. Patent No. 3, 961, 505 to Gehrie et al, issued June 8, 1976, the latter bein~s coImnon-ly assigned herewith.
There are ~arious design cri~eria to be accommo-dated in latching consoles for luggage articles. Thus, ~or ~ample, space considerations are a factor, and in particular thc console ~echanism should have a minimum thickness so as not to protrude unduly r~m the wall o the article to whioh it is attached. This cGnsid2ra~ion ~0 is of particular relevance in consoles wher~ the latch assemblies are linked together for operation in unison and a linking mechanism must be included in the console. Further~
the console mechanism should be simple to operate and reliable in operation, The present invention is directed particularly toward a latching system which can be incorporated in a latching console for a lugg~ge article wi~h a view t~ward ~ccommodating the above and other relevant criterla.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above noted parent application Serial No.
386,586 describes and claims a luggage article latchi~ system comprising a pair of spaced latches, means mounting each of said latches for pivotal movement between latching and un latching posi~ions, drive mean~ in~luding an endless dri~e elemen~ cDnnec~ing said latches for movement in unison between their latehing and unla ch~ng pvsitions, a manual ac~uator 1 ver, and conne~tion means between said lever a~d one of said latches for translating movemen~ of said le~er in opposite direc~ions from a res~ position into mo~ement of ehe la~ches between ~he latching and unlatching positions and between ~he un-latching and latchin~ positions; respectively, ~aid connection means permitting said lever to return ~o the rest position independent of said latches.
g~
In accordance with the invention of the present divisional there is provided a combinatio~ lock comprising a casing, a shaft axially movably mounted in said casing7 a nose portion at one end o~ said sha~t defining a latch formation for engaging a member to be locked, said shaft having a latching position in ~hich the nose portion projects from the casing,combina~i.on locking means for releasably locking the shaft in said latching position, the shaft being moveable axially fr~m said latching position to an unlatching position only when said combination locking means is on combination by movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing,and the shaft being mo~eable axially beyond said unl~tching position when the locking means is on combination by further movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing to move the shaft into a position in which the combination of said locking means can be changed.
` -Preferred ellibe)diments of the invention are described below, by way of ~ca~le~ wi~h reference ~o the accompanyirlg drawin~s .
Description o~ Drawin~
Figure 1 is an outside front elev tional view s~iE a luggage case equipped with a latchlng consDle in accordaTlce ~ith the inver~tion;
Figure 2 is n exploded perspective view of ~he componen~s of ~che lat~ing console and ~howing a hasp w~h :1~ which one of the con~ole latches cooperates;
Figures 2a a~d Zb are respectlvely a rear ele~ational view and a side eleYational ~Tiew of one of the console latch~s;
Figure 3*is a front elevational ~Tiew of ~ sec~ion s7f ~che console which atta hes interiorly of ~he ltlggage case;
Si6 Figure 4*is a sectional vie~ on line 4-4 of ~igure 3;
~ igure 5 is an vutside ~le~7ational tJiew, par~:ly brolcen away, of a section of ~che console ~howlng a coD~ination l~ck, one of ~he console latches, a la~ch actuator a~d a hasp;
~ igure ~a is a ~iew showlng ~he one la~ch in i~s unlatchin~s po~ition.
Figur~ 6 is a sectional vi~w on ~ ine ~-6 o~ Tigure S;
Figure 7 is a sectional ~iew ~n line 7-7 o Figure 6;
:Figure 8 is a sectional ~iew on lin~ 8-8 ~!3 of Figure 5;
Figures 9, 19 ~d 11 are partly diagrammatic views illustrzting different positions o:E ~he ~ctua~or;
* (Located on the ~ame sheet as Fig. 13 ~19'~ 5~5 Figure 1~ is a sectional view on line 12-12 vf Figure 6;
Figure 13 is a front elevational view, partly broken -away, of the combination lock shown in a com~ination chan~ing co~dition;
Figure 14 is a sectional Vi2W on line 14-14 of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is an end elevational ~iew of a rombin~tion sleeve; and lD Figure 16 is an end elevational view of a co~ina-~ion dial.
Description of Preerred Em~odiments A luggage case 10 (Figure 1) utilizing the invention may include a body section 12 ~nd a hin~ed lid 14 of conven-1~ tional form. A latching console in accordance with the inven-tion (see particularly Figures 2-4~ may be attached to the ~ront wall o~ body section 12 to releasably secure the case sections together in conjunction with hasps 16 which, in use, may be secured .to the înterior of a front wall 17 of hinged
LATCHING SYSTEM FOR L~GGAGE ARTICLES
This is a divisional of Canadian patent applic~tion Serlal No. 386,586 filed September 24th, 1981.
1 Background of the Invention This invention relates to a latching system suit-able for use on ~ luggage ar~icle, particularly in a la~ch-ing console which may be attached to one se~tion of a luggage article, such as an attache case or the like, for releasably securing that section to another section of the article.
It is known ~o use a latching console, or example, on the front wall of a body section of an attache or like case, for releasably securing that section to a hinged lid of the case. Such consoles commonly include a central handle-m~unting structure, a pair of spaced latch assemblies at opposite sides of the handle structure, respectively, for cooperation with fixed hasps or keepers on the hinged l;d, and actuator means for moving the latch assemblies betwe~n latehin~ and unlatching positions with respect to the hasps.
The consoles may also include a locking means, requently in the form o~ ~ com~;nation lo~k or loeks, for securin~
against unauthorized opening of the luggage article.
Various forms of latching consoles are known.
The latchin~ assemblies may, for example, include sliding or pivo~ing lat~hes, and these may be operated individually by flip-up, swivel or s~iding-type actuators. Alterna tively, the latches may be linked together through the con-sol~ for operation in unison by a single actuator, which may be positioned centrally v the cons~le, and a single lock may be provided for prev~nting unauthorized opera-tion of the ~ctuator, Known latchin~ consoles are 8hOWrl, for exam~le, in U.SO Patent No. 3,555,860, to Atkinson, issue~ January 19, 1971 and IJ. S. Patent No. 3, 961, 505 to Gehrie et al, issued June 8, 1976, the latter bein~s coImnon-ly assigned herewith.
There are ~arious design cri~eria to be accommo-dated in latching consoles for luggage articles. Thus, ~or ~ample, space considerations are a factor, and in particular thc console ~echanism should have a minimum thickness so as not to protrude unduly r~m the wall o the article to whioh it is attached. This cGnsid2ra~ion ~0 is of particular relevance in consoles wher~ the latch assemblies are linked together for operation in unison and a linking mechanism must be included in the console. Further~
the console mechanism should be simple to operate and reliable in operation, The present invention is directed particularly toward a latching system which can be incorporated in a latching console for a lugg~ge article wi~h a view t~ward ~ccommodating the above and other relevant criterla.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above noted parent application Serial No.
386,586 describes and claims a luggage article latchi~ system comprising a pair of spaced latches, means mounting each of said latches for pivotal movement between latching and un latching posi~ions, drive mean~ in~luding an endless dri~e elemen~ cDnnec~ing said latches for movement in unison between their latehing and unla ch~ng pvsitions, a manual ac~uator 1 ver, and conne~tion means between said lever a~d one of said latches for translating movemen~ of said le~er in opposite direc~ions from a res~ position into mo~ement of ehe la~ches between ~he latching and unlatching positions and between ~he un-latching and latchin~ positions; respectively, ~aid connection means permitting said lever to return ~o the rest position independent of said latches.
g~
In accordance with the invention of the present divisional there is provided a combinatio~ lock comprising a casing, a shaft axially movably mounted in said casing7 a nose portion at one end o~ said sha~t defining a latch formation for engaging a member to be locked, said shaft having a latching position in ~hich the nose portion projects from the casing,combina~i.on locking means for releasably locking the shaft in said latching position, the shaft being moveable axially fr~m said latching position to an unlatching position only when said combination locking means is on combination by movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing,and the shaft being mo~eable axially beyond said unl~tching position when the locking means is on combination by further movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing to move the shaft into a position in which the combination of said locking means can be changed.
` -Preferred ellibe)diments of the invention are described below, by way of ~ca~le~ wi~h reference ~o the accompanyirlg drawin~s .
Description o~ Drawin~
Figure 1 is an outside front elev tional view s~iE a luggage case equipped with a latchlng consDle in accordaTlce ~ith the inver~tion;
Figure 2 is n exploded perspective view of ~he componen~s of ~che lat~ing console and ~howing a hasp w~h :1~ which one of the con~ole latches cooperates;
Figures 2a a~d Zb are respectlvely a rear ele~ational view and a side eleYational ~Tiew of one of the console latch~s;
Figure 3*is a front elevational ~Tiew of ~ sec~ion s7f ~che console which atta hes interiorly of ~he ltlggage case;
Si6 Figure 4*is a sectional vie~ on line 4-4 of ~igure 3;
~ igure 5 is an vutside ~le~7ational tJiew, par~:ly brolcen away, of a section of ~che console ~howlng a coD~ination l~ck, one of ~he console latches, a la~ch actuator a~d a hasp;
~ igure ~a is a ~iew showlng ~he one la~ch in i~s unlatchin~s po~ition.
Figur~ 6 is a sectional vi~w on ~ ine ~-6 o~ Tigure S;
Figure 7 is a sectional ~iew ~n line 7-7 o Figure 6;
:Figure 8 is a sectional ~iew on lin~ 8-8 ~!3 of Figure 5;
Figures 9, 19 ~d 11 are partly diagrammatic views illustrzting different positions o:E ~he ~ctua~or;
* (Located on the ~ame sheet as Fig. 13 ~19'~ 5~5 Figure 1~ is a sectional view on line 12-12 vf Figure 6;
Figure 13 is a front elevational view, partly broken -away, of the combination lock shown in a com~ination chan~ing co~dition;
Figure 14 is a sectional Vi2W on line 14-14 of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is an end elevational ~iew of a rombin~tion sleeve; and lD Figure 16 is an end elevational view of a co~ina-~ion dial.
Description of Preerred Em~odiments A luggage case 10 (Figure 1) utilizing the invention may include a body section 12 ~nd a hin~ed lid 14 of conven-1~ tional form. A latching console in accordance with the inven-tion (see particularly Figures 2-4~ may be attached to the ~ront wall o~ body section 12 to releasably secure the case sections together in conjunction with hasps 16 which, in use, may be secured .to the înterior of a front wall 17 of hinged
2~ lid 14 of the case.
The latching console may include three main sections, namely, ~n elongate` latch-carrying section 18 which is attached to the interior of body section 12, a lock and actuator assem-bly 20, and a dummy ac~uator 22, the last t~o components ~S bein& mounted on the exterior of the body section 12 of the case.
b~
( 5;6 Body section 12 has a front wall 24 with an upper .
portion 26 through which the console sections are ~tached together by means of fasteners passing through sui~able open-ings in wall porti~n 26. Wa~l portion 26 may be ormed integr~lly with the remai~der ~f body section 12 o thr case or ~lternatively as shown in the drawings particularly in Figure 7, this wall portion may be a separate valance mem~er, supplied as a cDmponent of the latching console, in which case it is attached in the con~entioIIal manner, for exa~l~
by-tongue and groove-type connections, to the rim of bo~y section ~2. Front wall 17 of lid 14 may have a complemen-~ary valance section 19 (Fig.7~ to which hasps 16 are attached. Assembly 20 and dummy actuator 22 may have re-eesses 78 in their adjacent end portions (see Figures 2 and 6) whic~ serve to mount the ends of a conven~ional cen~ral oarrying handle 30 wi~h a washer 32 or the like being provided in each reress.
Latch-carrying section 18 of the latchi~g console~
carries spaced swivelling latches 34, 36 adapted to swivel in planes parallel to the general plane of wall portion 26 and a drive mechanism ~to be described) for providing swivel-ing movement of the latches in unison. The latches have hook portions 38 and 40 adapted to engage posts 42 of the respective hasps. The loek and actuator assembly 20 includes :25 a man~al aetuat~r 44 for effecting swiveling movement of latch 34 (and ~hrough the drive mechanism corresponding move~en~ of latch 36) and a combination lock 46 for locking !
the actuator and latches in position when the case is closed. Dummy actuat~r 22 serves only t~ mount one end of the handle 30 and to stabilize ~he latchin,g console by con-nection to latch-carryin~ section 18. The dummy ac~uator may comprise an integral casting or molding of complemen~ary shape to assembly 20 so as to give a balanced appearance to ~he lu~gage case. Internally ~hreaded bosses 48 proJect rom ~he rear sur~ace of the dummy actua~or through openings ~not ~hown~ in the wall pr~tiQn 26 of ~he case 2nd are aligned ~0 wi~h openings 52 in base:plate 54 forming part of lateh-carrying sec~ion 18 of the console. Screws, also not shown fit in each of the bosses 48 to connect the dummy actuator to latch-carryin~ section lB. The lock and actuator assem-bly 20 also includes threaded bosses 58 ex~ending through openings 60 in wall portion 26 (Fig. 6) and aligned with openings 62 in base plate 54. Screws $4 are received in the bosses 58 to connect asse~bly 20 to latch-carrying sec-tion 18~ Rivets may~ of course, be used instead of screw-type asteners where appropriate.
Latch-carrying. section 18 of ~he latching console (see particularly Figures 2-4) may be held in place ~n the interior of wall portion 26 by the connections ~ormed be~wePn bosses 48 and SB and their respective screws. Wall portion 26 may be channel shaped as seen in Figure 7, and a rein-:25 forcing insert 27 may b~ proYided.
!
i6 Section 18 of ~che latching console comprises the afvre-mentioned base plate 54? which may be chann~l-shaped and have openings 50 and 56 in one upright wall to accommodate swiveling movement of the latches 34 and 36 between ~heir latching and unlatching positions, Latches 34 and 36 ~re each formed ~n their rear sur~aces with a boss, 66 and 68 respectively, ~see Figures 2, 6 and 7) which fits in a corresponding opening, 70 and 72 respec~i~ely, in base plate 54 to rotatably mount the latches sn the base plate. Adj~cen~ the respec~i~e bosses, each latch has a part-circular hub or pulley portion 74 and 76, resp~ctively, Referring particularly to Figures 2a and 2b, it will be seen th~t hub protion 66 of la~ch 34 has a flat upper surface 75 facing a parallel flat surface 76 at ~he base o~ hook portion 38. Surfaces 75 and 76 define a channel therebe~ween and a shallow rectangular recess or pocket 78 is ~onmed in the base Df this ch~nnel. It will be u~derstood that the rear of latch 36, while not shown in detail, has a corresponding channel and recess~ The front surfaces of each of the latches 34 and 36 are formed with shallow cylincrical .0 ~langes ~0 and 82, respPctively. Cantilevered leaf sprlngs 84 and 86 hold the respective latches in place on base plate 54 with central openin~s 88 and 90 in the respective springs rotatably receiving latch flanges 80 and 82. The springs are ~f stepped form and haYe base portions ~2 and 94 through ~5 which th2y are attached to base plate 54 by means of screws 93 and 95 CFigures 3, 4 and 6..~ The front surfaces of latches R19~(:)56 34 and 36 are further formed with shall~w depressions 104, 106 which receive ball detents 108, 110. Springs 84 and 86 have openin~s 112 and 114 adapted to catch the respective balls 108 and 110 and releasably hold the latches when ~he latches are swiveled tt> their latching and unlatching posi-tions, respectively, see Figure 8. Springs 84 and 86 have further openings 116 and 118 for passage of b~sses i~ and 48, respectively.
Swiveling motion is transmitted between the la~ches 1~ by drive means preferably in the form of endless wire cable 120, which may be formed from a ~ire of fini~e length having its respec~ive ends onnected by a crimp-type or other connec-tion 122, The cable is twisted into a figure-8 configuration and is looped symmetrically over the hub portions 66 and 68 1~ of the respective latches wi~h thP hub portions being received in each case between sections of the cable defining the res-pective loops. Further, the cable has male drive elements or plugs 124 and 126 crimped or otherwise fixed on the cable.
Plug 124 fits in pocket 78 of latch 34 ~see particularly Figures 2a and 5) and plug 126 its in the corresponding poc^
ket ~not shown) in latch 36 . The plugs 124 and ~ 26 accordingly ~orm a positive dri~e connection between cable 120 and the respective latches, and ~he twist in the cable produc~s swiveling movement of the latches in opposite senses respec-:2~ ti~ely. Thus, as seen for ex~mple in Figure ~? when lat~h 34 is swiveled in a clockwise direction from the illu~trated latching position to its unlatchin~ position in which it is I
~g~6 received in base pla~e 54, ~wiveling m~vem~nt will be ~ransmi~ted through ~he cable 120 to latch 36, which moves in the c~unterclockwise direction from the illus~
trated latching position to the unlatching position> in which this latch is likewise received in base plate 54.
Roller guides 128 located in openings 130 in base plate 54 may be provid~d for guiding cable 12û.
Swiveling mo~Pment is imparted directly to latch 34 (and through drive cable 120 to latch 3~) by means of ~0 ~he manual actuator 44 fo~ming part Qf actuator and lock assembly 20 and which will now be de~eribed~
Assem~ly 20 may inelude an integral member 132 having a housing por~ion 134 and a base pl te pro~ion 136.
The aforementi~ned bosses 58 project from ~he undersurface ~5 o member 132. Base plate portion 136 has on its upper surface a cylindrical 1ange 138, and a bore 140 extends through portion 136 and through a boss 142 projecting from the undersurface of portion 136. The manual actuator includes an actuator lever 144 with a depending post 146 received in .`~0 bore 140 and a cylindrical recess 148 fitting over fl~nge 338. Post 146 is internally threaded, and a segment plate 1~0 is attached to the base of post 146 by a screw 152.
Segment plate 150 includes an upstanding tab 151 fitting in a eut-away porti~n 156 of post 146, as best seen in Figures S and 6, so that the segment plate is cons~rained to swivel with the lever 144. Lever 144 and segment plate ~50 toge~her define the manual actuator. As best ~@en in Figures 5 and 5a, the segment plate has a segment portion 158 extending over a 90~ quadrant. Segment plate 150 fits in a circular recess 160 in latch 34, this recess including a semicircular .
wall 162 t the opposite edges of which define a sem;circular opening 163 in which the se~ment portion is received and which edges are adapted to engage the opposite edg s of ~eg-ment por~ion 15B respectively, as will be described.
IhP configuration of segment portion 158 and wall 162 is such that when latch 34 is in the latching posi~ion, as ~hown in Figure 5, and lever 144 of the ac~uator is in its rest position (the longitudinal axis ~ the lever being aligned wi~h the longitudinal axis o~ base plate 54) one edge of segment portion 158 engages the edge a of wall 1~2.
If the manual actuator le~er 144 is now swiveled in a clockwise direction, segment portion 158 causes latch 34 also to swivel in a clockwise diree~ion by engagemen~ o~
segment protion 158 and edge a of wall 162. (Corresponding counterclockwise rotation is impart~d to iatch 36 through cable 120.) W~en 'latch 34 has swiveled through 90 to the ulllatched position shown in Figure 5a, the actuator may be returned to the rest position by ~irtue of the relative lengths of the ares of segment portion 158 and opening 163, During such movement s~gment portion 158 moves away from edge a of wall 162. The manual actuat~r lever 144 can thus be retuxned .25 to ~he rest position illustrated in Figure 5a while latch 34 is retained in the unlatching position shown in that igure.
In the ~onditi~n sh~wm in Figure 5a, segment portion 158 ~3 !
., enga~es edge b of wall 162. It will be appreciated, ~hat in order to mc~ve the latch from the unlatching, positic:n to the latching position, the actuator le~er 144 is swiYeled from the Figure 5a condition in a counterclockwi~e direction, retuxning latch 34 to the position shown in Figllre 5 . ' :By virtue of the configuration of segment portion 158 and wall 162 9 ~he ac~uator may again be returned tQ the rest position without disturbing latch 34. Thus, a lost motion eonne tion is formed between the actuator and ~he latch whereby the la~ch is swiveled generally in the plane of the latching console between its latching and unl~tching positions by means of an actuator lever which swivels in a parallel plane and can be returned to i~s rest posit~ on independently of the ~atch.
It will also be apparen~ that in ~he unlatching position, latches 34 and 36 are received within base plate 54 and are therefore concealed behind wall p~rtion 26 of the ease, while in the iatching position, the latches are projected from wall portion 26 to engage with hasps 16.
The actuator is preferablg provided with means for ~0 biasing the actuator to return to t~e rest position when it has been swiveled in either direction to ope~ate ~h~
latches. This means includes a coil spring, 164, of the "scissors" type, the opposite ends of w~ich are bent to form spaced, generally radial limbs 166 and 168, the spring being received in an annular space defined between post 146 and flange 138. Further, flange 138 has an internal projec-tion 170, and ~ever 144 has a tab 172, projecting into reces~
148 and positioned sli~htly closer t~ the axis of post 146 than projection 170, Limbs 166 and 168 of spring 164 straddle tab 172 and proj ection 170 when the actuator is in the rest position as shown in Fi~ure 9. When ~he ctuator is swiveled in either direction from the rest position, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, tab 172 will move ~ne or other of ~he limbs 160 and 162, ~hereby separating the limbs, tensioning spring 164, and biasing the actuator to return ~o ~he rest posi~ion.
~ Combination lock 46 may be employ2d to prevent the .
aotuator from being swiveled from th2 rest posi~ion ~when latches 34 and 36 are in engagement with hasps 16) excPpt when the lock is on rombination. The constructis)n of the com~ination lock will now be described with particular 1~ referenee tc Figures 5, S and 12 - 16.
Lock 46 includes a casing comprising ~che previously referred-to housing portion 134 of member 132 and a back cover plate 174 attached to posts 176 on the ~ndersurface o member 132 by screws 178 which fit in suitable openings :~ in the cover plate ~not shown~ and threaded bores 180 in posts 176. Internally of the lock casing there is proYided an elongate plug or shaft 182 supported at its left-h2nd end betwPen a projection 184 of member 132 and an upturned end 186 of eover plate 174, At its right end, shaft 182 is ~5 supported between a raised central portion 188 of the cov~r plate and a bearing port:~orl:. 190 of mem.~er 132 Shaft 182 carries combination sleeves 192, 194 and 196 situated ~etween l'i 9~
resilient biasing means in the ~o~m of a coil spring 198 surrounding the left end of the shaft and an in~egral shaft collar 200 adjacent the other end of the shaft. To the right of shaft collar 200, shaft 182 terminates in a flat-S tened nose p~rtion 202 ha~ing a curved end pro~ile as seen in Figure ~. By ~his construction, spring 198 urges the assembly of shaft and sleeves to the right as shown in Figures 5 ~nd 6 so that nose proti~n 202 projects from the housing portion of member 132 through a~ opening formed between bearing portion 190 and cover plate 186.
CDm~ination sleeves 192, 194 and 196 each have a serie~ of peripheral teeth 204 with one tooth being omitted in each case. (See Fig. 18). The sleeves further have plain portions absent of tee~h at their lef t and right end6 . CODI-bination dials 206, 208, 210 encircle the sleeves, respec~ively, and are coupled for roration with ~he sleeves by dial tee~h 212 meshing with the teeth of the respective sleeves. As seen particularly in Fi~ures 6 and 14, the dial tee~h extend only partway over the thiekness of the dials. On .their ?~0 exterior periphery, the dials carry a circumferential series of combination indicia with det~nts therebetween which engage the arms 213 (see Fig. 12) of a dial spring ~15 so that the dials and sleeves can be indexed around shaft 182 into differ-ent combination settings. The dials have peripheral por-~5 tions -proj ec~ing in eonventional manner through openings 207~ 209~ 211 in an upper wall or faceplate portion 213 of the lock housing. The lock housing further include~ a bridge 1~
member 217 (see Fig. 12) having a series of limbs 214 dis-posed adjacent the respective dials. The bridge member fur-ther.includes a series of blocking furmations 216 disposed to align with the spaces deined by the omi~ed ~eeth of the respective sleeves.
Shaft 182 is biased by spring 198 into a posi~i~n in whirh nose portion 202 projects from housing portion 134.
Further, nose portion 202 defines a latch formation adapted to engage a complemeIItary catch formation f~nned a~ the free ~Q end of lever 144 ~en the lever is in the rest posi~ion. For this purpose, the free end of lever 144 is foxmed as a cam surface 218 complementary to the profile of nose portion 202, which forms a cooperative cam surf ace .
In the rest position o~ lever 144, the longi~udina~
is of the le~7er aligns with the ~ ongitudinal axis of shaft 182 and the cam surfaces on the lever and on nose portion 20~ are in mating engagement whereby lever 144 is held in the rest position.
When the dials and sleeves of the lock are set on com-~ bination, the condition is such that the space defined by the omitted teeth of each of the slee~es 192-196 aligns with the blockîng formations 21~. In this condition, the lock is un-l~cked and shaft 198 can be pressed to the lPft as sh~wn in Fi~ures 5 and 6 a~ainst.the bias o spring 98. Accordingly, 2~ leyer 144 can be swiYeled from the rest position, such move-ment being aceompanied ~y a ea~ming action be~ween the respec-tiye c~m surfaces 202, 218 causing depression of shaft 182 ~ ~ g~56 inwardly with respect ~o the lock casing against spring 198 to an unlatching position in which lever 144 is rele~sed from nose portion 202 by camming shaft 182 to the le~t. When~.
however, ~he dials of the lock are of~ combination, one or more of ~he sleeve teeth ~04 align with blGcking ormations 216 thereby preven~ing the shaft from being depressed to the left agains~ spring 198. Therefore in this 9 the locked condition of the lock, when lever 144 is in the rest posi-tion in engagement with nose portion 202 (as is the situation when latches 134 and 13~ are engaged with hasps 16), nose portion ~02 cannot be moved to the left, and the lever 144 cannot therefore be disengaged from nose portion 202 by the above described camming artion. This prevents the actua~or from being operated, and the case cannot be opened.
1~ The lock also includes a means for changing thP com-bina~ion to one of a user's own particular choice. To effect a combination change, the lock must first be placed on com-bination. Then the user moYes actuator lever 144 away from its rest position and presses ~n nose portion 202 of shaft 182 to move it to the left with resPect to hDusing portion 134 beyond the unlatching position, to a position at which the respective dial teeth 212 are di~engaged from the respective ~leeve ~eeth, and the d~als ~ay be turned relative to the sleeves (the sleeves being held in position by the ~lockin~
~ormations 216), This condition is shown in Figures 16 and 17, In the normal movement of shaft 182 when lever 144 is swiyelled, shaft 182 does not mo~7e sufficiently to disengage the teeth of the sleeves f~om the teeth of the dials. It will be noted that the base pla~ portion 136 vf member 132 carries a leaf spring 220 a~tached to the undersurface of the base plate portion by a screw 222 passing through an opening 224 in the spring and into a threaded openi~g 226 in the base plat~ portion. The spring has further openings 228 and 230 (Fig. 2~ for yassage of posts 142 and boss 58, respecti~ely, A raised portion 232 of spring 220 ~its in a corresponding opening 234 in ~he b~se plate por~ion, and the left end portion 236 of ~he spring fits under nose por~ion 202 of shaf~ 182 as shown partieularly in ~igure 6. Spring 220 is biased upwardly as shown in Figure 6 and during normal c~mming movement of the shaft 18~ by the manual actuator lever 144 nose portion 202 of the shaft rides on end portion 1~ 236 of the spring.
When the shaft 1~2 is depressed far enough into housing protion 134 to change the combination of the lock, as shown in Figures 16 and 17~ the nose portion moves beyond the left end of spring 220, allowing the spring to flip up :~D ~n~o the position shown in Figure 1~. The left edge of the spring, in this position, forms a stop member which holds shaft 182 in its depresQed conditi~n durin~ rotation of one or more of the dials rPlative to ~he corresponding sleeYe or sleeYes. When the combination has been changed, raised 2~ portion 732 of the sp.r;ng, which forms a release means for the shaft, can be depressed so that the shaft snaps back to the right under the influence of spring 198 into its normal opera~ing position, thereby brin~in~ the dials and sleeves back in~o coupling engagement and setting the new combination.
It will be seen from the foregoing that ~he invention provides a latching sy~tem particularly æuitable for use on an article of luggage~ The sys~em employs a pair of spa ed latches linked by a compact and relatively flat, simple drive ~ystem for swi~eling movement in unison and a readily ~cces-sible actuator or operating the latehes in unison. The use of ~n endless ca~le for ~oving the latches in unis~n avoids ~1~ the necessity f~r complex linkages which is of parti~ul~r ad-vantage where the latches, operated by a single actuatvr are relatively widely spaced apart. Thi ~orm of latch drive system moreover permits of ready adaptation to different ~ize cases and facilitates adjustments to ompensa~e for :~ hasp spacing tolerances.
Further, the invention provides a compact combination lock arrangement for locking the actuator in position ~o inhibit itæ unauthorized use, The.lo~-k and actuator may be loeated in JUxtapositiorl to one side c~f a ceIltral carrying handle of :20 a luggage article and ran be conveniently operated by a user with one hand, while for example, the carrying handle is held in the other hand, While only preferred embodiments of the in~7entl0n have been described herein in detail, it will be understood that ~25 the invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be made -within the scope of the attached claims, Fcr ex~mple~
~9~(~5~
while a specific form o combination lock having an axially moving plug has been discribed for locking the actuator lever, other forms of locking mechanism may be used for this purpose.
The latching console may include three main sections, namely, ~n elongate` latch-carrying section 18 which is attached to the interior of body section 12, a lock and actuator assem-bly 20, and a dummy ac~uator 22, the last t~o components ~S bein& mounted on the exterior of the body section 12 of the case.
b~
( 5;6 Body section 12 has a front wall 24 with an upper .
portion 26 through which the console sections are ~tached together by means of fasteners passing through sui~able open-ings in wall porti~n 26. Wa~l portion 26 may be ormed integr~lly with the remai~der ~f body section 12 o thr case or ~lternatively as shown in the drawings particularly in Figure 7, this wall portion may be a separate valance mem~er, supplied as a cDmponent of the latching console, in which case it is attached in the con~entioIIal manner, for exa~l~
by-tongue and groove-type connections, to the rim of bo~y section ~2. Front wall 17 of lid 14 may have a complemen-~ary valance section 19 (Fig.7~ to which hasps 16 are attached. Assembly 20 and dummy actuator 22 may have re-eesses 78 in their adjacent end portions (see Figures 2 and 6) whic~ serve to mount the ends of a conven~ional cen~ral oarrying handle 30 wi~h a washer 32 or the like being provided in each reress.
Latch-carrying section 18 of the latchi~g console~
carries spaced swivelling latches 34, 36 adapted to swivel in planes parallel to the general plane of wall portion 26 and a drive mechanism ~to be described) for providing swivel-ing movement of the latches in unison. The latches have hook portions 38 and 40 adapted to engage posts 42 of the respective hasps. The loek and actuator assembly 20 includes :25 a man~al aetuat~r 44 for effecting swiveling movement of latch 34 (and ~hrough the drive mechanism corresponding move~en~ of latch 36) and a combination lock 46 for locking !
the actuator and latches in position when the case is closed. Dummy actuat~r 22 serves only t~ mount one end of the handle 30 and to stabilize ~he latchin,g console by con-nection to latch-carryin~ section 18. The dummy ac~uator may comprise an integral casting or molding of complemen~ary shape to assembly 20 so as to give a balanced appearance to ~he lu~gage case. Internally ~hreaded bosses 48 proJect rom ~he rear sur~ace of the dummy actua~or through openings ~not ~hown~ in the wall pr~tiQn 26 of ~he case 2nd are aligned ~0 wi~h openings 52 in base:plate 54 forming part of lateh-carrying sec~ion 18 of the console. Screws, also not shown fit in each of the bosses 48 to connect the dummy actuator to latch-carryin~ section lB. The lock and actuator assem-bly 20 also includes threaded bosses 58 ex~ending through openings 60 in wall portion 26 (Fig. 6) and aligned with openings 62 in base plate 54. Screws $4 are received in the bosses 58 to connect asse~bly 20 to latch-carrying sec-tion 18~ Rivets may~ of course, be used instead of screw-type asteners where appropriate.
Latch-carrying. section 18 of ~he latching console (see particularly Figures 2-4) may be held in place ~n the interior of wall portion 26 by the connections ~ormed be~wePn bosses 48 and SB and their respective screws. Wall portion 26 may be channel shaped as seen in Figure 7, and a rein-:25 forcing insert 27 may b~ proYided.
!
i6 Section 18 of ~che latching console comprises the afvre-mentioned base plate 54? which may be chann~l-shaped and have openings 50 and 56 in one upright wall to accommodate swiveling movement of the latches 34 and 36 between ~heir latching and unlatching positions, Latches 34 and 36 ~re each formed ~n their rear sur~aces with a boss, 66 and 68 respectively, ~see Figures 2, 6 and 7) which fits in a corresponding opening, 70 and 72 respec~i~ely, in base plate 54 to rotatably mount the latches sn the base plate. Adj~cen~ the respec~i~e bosses, each latch has a part-circular hub or pulley portion 74 and 76, resp~ctively, Referring particularly to Figures 2a and 2b, it will be seen th~t hub protion 66 of la~ch 34 has a flat upper surface 75 facing a parallel flat surface 76 at ~he base o~ hook portion 38. Surfaces 75 and 76 define a channel therebe~ween and a shallow rectangular recess or pocket 78 is ~onmed in the base Df this ch~nnel. It will be u~derstood that the rear of latch 36, while not shown in detail, has a corresponding channel and recess~ The front surfaces of each of the latches 34 and 36 are formed with shallow cylincrical .0 ~langes ~0 and 82, respPctively. Cantilevered leaf sprlngs 84 and 86 hold the respective latches in place on base plate 54 with central openin~s 88 and 90 in the respective springs rotatably receiving latch flanges 80 and 82. The springs are ~f stepped form and haYe base portions ~2 and 94 through ~5 which th2y are attached to base plate 54 by means of screws 93 and 95 CFigures 3, 4 and 6..~ The front surfaces of latches R19~(:)56 34 and 36 are further formed with shall~w depressions 104, 106 which receive ball detents 108, 110. Springs 84 and 86 have openin~s 112 and 114 adapted to catch the respective balls 108 and 110 and releasably hold the latches when ~he latches are swiveled tt> their latching and unlatching posi-tions, respectively, see Figure 8. Springs 84 and 86 have further openings 116 and 118 for passage of b~sses i~ and 48, respectively.
Swiveling motion is transmitted between the la~ches 1~ by drive means preferably in the form of endless wire cable 120, which may be formed from a ~ire of fini~e length having its respec~ive ends onnected by a crimp-type or other connec-tion 122, The cable is twisted into a figure-8 configuration and is looped symmetrically over the hub portions 66 and 68 1~ of the respective latches wi~h thP hub portions being received in each case between sections of the cable defining the res-pective loops. Further, the cable has male drive elements or plugs 124 and 126 crimped or otherwise fixed on the cable.
Plug 124 fits in pocket 78 of latch 34 ~see particularly Figures 2a and 5) and plug 126 its in the corresponding poc^
ket ~not shown) in latch 36 . The plugs 124 and ~ 26 accordingly ~orm a positive dri~e connection between cable 120 and the respective latches, and ~he twist in the cable produc~s swiveling movement of the latches in opposite senses respec-:2~ ti~ely. Thus, as seen for ex~mple in Figure ~? when lat~h 34 is swiveled in a clockwise direction from the illu~trated latching position to its unlatchin~ position in which it is I
~g~6 received in base pla~e 54, ~wiveling m~vem~nt will be ~ransmi~ted through ~he cable 120 to latch 36, which moves in the c~unterclockwise direction from the illus~
trated latching position to the unlatching position> in which this latch is likewise received in base plate 54.
Roller guides 128 located in openings 130 in base plate 54 may be provid~d for guiding cable 12û.
Swiveling mo~Pment is imparted directly to latch 34 (and through drive cable 120 to latch 3~) by means of ~0 ~he manual actuator 44 fo~ming part Qf actuator and lock assembly 20 and which will now be de~eribed~
Assem~ly 20 may inelude an integral member 132 having a housing por~ion 134 and a base pl te pro~ion 136.
The aforementi~ned bosses 58 project from ~he undersurface ~5 o member 132. Base plate portion 136 has on its upper surface a cylindrical 1ange 138, and a bore 140 extends through portion 136 and through a boss 142 projecting from the undersurface of portion 136. The manual actuator includes an actuator lever 144 with a depending post 146 received in .`~0 bore 140 and a cylindrical recess 148 fitting over fl~nge 338. Post 146 is internally threaded, and a segment plate 1~0 is attached to the base of post 146 by a screw 152.
Segment plate 150 includes an upstanding tab 151 fitting in a eut-away porti~n 156 of post 146, as best seen in Figures S and 6, so that the segment plate is cons~rained to swivel with the lever 144. Lever 144 and segment plate ~50 toge~her define the manual actuator. As best ~@en in Figures 5 and 5a, the segment plate has a segment portion 158 extending over a 90~ quadrant. Segment plate 150 fits in a circular recess 160 in latch 34, this recess including a semicircular .
wall 162 t the opposite edges of which define a sem;circular opening 163 in which the se~ment portion is received and which edges are adapted to engage the opposite edg s of ~eg-ment por~ion 15B respectively, as will be described.
IhP configuration of segment portion 158 and wall 162 is such that when latch 34 is in the latching posi~ion, as ~hown in Figure 5, and lever 144 of the ac~uator is in its rest position (the longitudinal axis ~ the lever being aligned wi~h the longitudinal axis o~ base plate 54) one edge of segment portion 158 engages the edge a of wall 1~2.
If the manual actuator le~er 144 is now swiveled in a clockwise direction, segment portion 158 causes latch 34 also to swivel in a clockwise diree~ion by engagemen~ o~
segment protion 158 and edge a of wall 162. (Corresponding counterclockwise rotation is impart~d to iatch 36 through cable 120.) W~en 'latch 34 has swiveled through 90 to the ulllatched position shown in Figure 5a, the actuator may be returned to the rest position by ~irtue of the relative lengths of the ares of segment portion 158 and opening 163, During such movement s~gment portion 158 moves away from edge a of wall 162. The manual actuat~r lever 144 can thus be retuxned .25 to ~he rest position illustrated in Figure 5a while latch 34 is retained in the unlatching position shown in that igure.
In the ~onditi~n sh~wm in Figure 5a, segment portion 158 ~3 !
., enga~es edge b of wall 162. It will be appreciated, ~hat in order to mc~ve the latch from the unlatching, positic:n to the latching position, the actuator le~er 144 is swiYeled from the Figure 5a condition in a counterclockwi~e direction, retuxning latch 34 to the position shown in Figllre 5 . ' :By virtue of the configuration of segment portion 158 and wall 162 9 ~he ac~uator may again be returned tQ the rest position without disturbing latch 34. Thus, a lost motion eonne tion is formed between the actuator and ~he latch whereby the la~ch is swiveled generally in the plane of the latching console between its latching and unl~tching positions by means of an actuator lever which swivels in a parallel plane and can be returned to i~s rest posit~ on independently of the ~atch.
It will also be apparen~ that in ~he unlatching position, latches 34 and 36 are received within base plate 54 and are therefore concealed behind wall p~rtion 26 of the ease, while in the iatching position, the latches are projected from wall portion 26 to engage with hasps 16.
The actuator is preferablg provided with means for ~0 biasing the actuator to return to t~e rest position when it has been swiveled in either direction to ope~ate ~h~
latches. This means includes a coil spring, 164, of the "scissors" type, the opposite ends of w~ich are bent to form spaced, generally radial limbs 166 and 168, the spring being received in an annular space defined between post 146 and flange 138. Further, flange 138 has an internal projec-tion 170, and ~ever 144 has a tab 172, projecting into reces~
148 and positioned sli~htly closer t~ the axis of post 146 than projection 170, Limbs 166 and 168 of spring 164 straddle tab 172 and proj ection 170 when the actuator is in the rest position as shown in Fi~ure 9. When ~he ctuator is swiveled in either direction from the rest position, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, tab 172 will move ~ne or other of ~he limbs 160 and 162, ~hereby separating the limbs, tensioning spring 164, and biasing the actuator to return ~o ~he rest posi~ion.
~ Combination lock 46 may be employ2d to prevent the .
aotuator from being swiveled from th2 rest posi~ion ~when latches 34 and 36 are in engagement with hasps 16) excPpt when the lock is on rombination. The constructis)n of the com~ination lock will now be described with particular 1~ referenee tc Figures 5, S and 12 - 16.
Lock 46 includes a casing comprising ~che previously referred-to housing portion 134 of member 132 and a back cover plate 174 attached to posts 176 on the ~ndersurface o member 132 by screws 178 which fit in suitable openings :~ in the cover plate ~not shown~ and threaded bores 180 in posts 176. Internally of the lock casing there is proYided an elongate plug or shaft 182 supported at its left-h2nd end betwPen a projection 184 of member 132 and an upturned end 186 of eover plate 174, At its right end, shaft 182 is ~5 supported between a raised central portion 188 of the cov~r plate and a bearing port:~orl:. 190 of mem.~er 132 Shaft 182 carries combination sleeves 192, 194 and 196 situated ~etween l'i 9~
resilient biasing means in the ~o~m of a coil spring 198 surrounding the left end of the shaft and an in~egral shaft collar 200 adjacent the other end of the shaft. To the right of shaft collar 200, shaft 182 terminates in a flat-S tened nose p~rtion 202 ha~ing a curved end pro~ile as seen in Figure ~. By ~his construction, spring 198 urges the assembly of shaft and sleeves to the right as shown in Figures 5 ~nd 6 so that nose proti~n 202 projects from the housing portion of member 132 through a~ opening formed between bearing portion 190 and cover plate 186.
CDm~ination sleeves 192, 194 and 196 each have a serie~ of peripheral teeth 204 with one tooth being omitted in each case. (See Fig. 18). The sleeves further have plain portions absent of tee~h at their lef t and right end6 . CODI-bination dials 206, 208, 210 encircle the sleeves, respec~ively, and are coupled for roration with ~he sleeves by dial tee~h 212 meshing with the teeth of the respective sleeves. As seen particularly in Fi~ures 6 and 14, the dial tee~h extend only partway over the thiekness of the dials. On .their ?~0 exterior periphery, the dials carry a circumferential series of combination indicia with det~nts therebetween which engage the arms 213 (see Fig. 12) of a dial spring ~15 so that the dials and sleeves can be indexed around shaft 182 into differ-ent combination settings. The dials have peripheral por-~5 tions -proj ec~ing in eonventional manner through openings 207~ 209~ 211 in an upper wall or faceplate portion 213 of the lock housing. The lock housing further include~ a bridge 1~
member 217 (see Fig. 12) having a series of limbs 214 dis-posed adjacent the respective dials. The bridge member fur-ther.includes a series of blocking furmations 216 disposed to align with the spaces deined by the omi~ed ~eeth of the respective sleeves.
Shaft 182 is biased by spring 198 into a posi~i~n in whirh nose portion 202 projects from housing portion 134.
Further, nose portion 202 defines a latch formation adapted to engage a complemeIItary catch formation f~nned a~ the free ~Q end of lever 144 ~en the lever is in the rest posi~ion. For this purpose, the free end of lever 144 is foxmed as a cam surface 218 complementary to the profile of nose portion 202, which forms a cooperative cam surf ace .
In the rest position o~ lever 144, the longi~udina~
is of the le~7er aligns with the ~ ongitudinal axis of shaft 182 and the cam surfaces on the lever and on nose portion 20~ are in mating engagement whereby lever 144 is held in the rest position.
When the dials and sleeves of the lock are set on com-~ bination, the condition is such that the space defined by the omitted teeth of each of the slee~es 192-196 aligns with the blockîng formations 21~. In this condition, the lock is un-l~cked and shaft 198 can be pressed to the lPft as sh~wn in Fi~ures 5 and 6 a~ainst.the bias o spring 98. Accordingly, 2~ leyer 144 can be swiYeled from the rest position, such move-ment being aceompanied ~y a ea~ming action be~ween the respec-tiye c~m surfaces 202, 218 causing depression of shaft 182 ~ ~ g~56 inwardly with respect ~o the lock casing against spring 198 to an unlatching position in which lever 144 is rele~sed from nose portion 202 by camming shaft 182 to the le~t. When~.
however, ~he dials of the lock are of~ combination, one or more of ~he sleeve teeth ~04 align with blGcking ormations 216 thereby preven~ing the shaft from being depressed to the left agains~ spring 198. Therefore in this 9 the locked condition of the lock, when lever 144 is in the rest posi-tion in engagement with nose portion 202 (as is the situation when latches 134 and 13~ are engaged with hasps 16), nose portion ~02 cannot be moved to the left, and the lever 144 cannot therefore be disengaged from nose portion 202 by the above described camming artion. This prevents the actua~or from being operated, and the case cannot be opened.
1~ The lock also includes a means for changing thP com-bina~ion to one of a user's own particular choice. To effect a combination change, the lock must first be placed on com-bination. Then the user moYes actuator lever 144 away from its rest position and presses ~n nose portion 202 of shaft 182 to move it to the left with resPect to hDusing portion 134 beyond the unlatching position, to a position at which the respective dial teeth 212 are di~engaged from the respective ~leeve ~eeth, and the d~als ~ay be turned relative to the sleeves (the sleeves being held in position by the ~lockin~
~ormations 216), This condition is shown in Figures 16 and 17, In the normal movement of shaft 182 when lever 144 is swiyelled, shaft 182 does not mo~7e sufficiently to disengage the teeth of the sleeves f~om the teeth of the dials. It will be noted that the base pla~ portion 136 vf member 132 carries a leaf spring 220 a~tached to the undersurface of the base plate portion by a screw 222 passing through an opening 224 in the spring and into a threaded openi~g 226 in the base plat~ portion. The spring has further openings 228 and 230 (Fig. 2~ for yassage of posts 142 and boss 58, respecti~ely, A raised portion 232 of spring 220 ~its in a corresponding opening 234 in ~he b~se plate por~ion, and the left end portion 236 of ~he spring fits under nose por~ion 202 of shaf~ 182 as shown partieularly in ~igure 6. Spring 220 is biased upwardly as shown in Figure 6 and during normal c~mming movement of the shaft 18~ by the manual actuator lever 144 nose portion 202 of the shaft rides on end portion 1~ 236 of the spring.
When the shaft 1~2 is depressed far enough into housing protion 134 to change the combination of the lock, as shown in Figures 16 and 17~ the nose portion moves beyond the left end of spring 220, allowing the spring to flip up :~D ~n~o the position shown in Figure 1~. The left edge of the spring, in this position, forms a stop member which holds shaft 182 in its depresQed conditi~n durin~ rotation of one or more of the dials rPlative to ~he corresponding sleeYe or sleeYes. When the combination has been changed, raised 2~ portion 732 of the sp.r;ng, which forms a release means for the shaft, can be depressed so that the shaft snaps back to the right under the influence of spring 198 into its normal opera~ing position, thereby brin~in~ the dials and sleeves back in~o coupling engagement and setting the new combination.
It will be seen from the foregoing that ~he invention provides a latching sy~tem particularly æuitable for use on an article of luggage~ The sys~em employs a pair of spa ed latches linked by a compact and relatively flat, simple drive ~ystem for swi~eling movement in unison and a readily ~cces-sible actuator or operating the latehes in unison. The use of ~n endless ca~le for ~oving the latches in unis~n avoids ~1~ the necessity f~r complex linkages which is of parti~ul~r ad-vantage where the latches, operated by a single actuatvr are relatively widely spaced apart. Thi ~orm of latch drive system moreover permits of ready adaptation to different ~ize cases and facilitates adjustments to ompensa~e for :~ hasp spacing tolerances.
Further, the invention provides a compact combination lock arrangement for locking the actuator in position ~o inhibit itæ unauthorized use, The.lo~-k and actuator may be loeated in JUxtapositiorl to one side c~f a ceIltral carrying handle of :20 a luggage article and ran be conveniently operated by a user with one hand, while for example, the carrying handle is held in the other hand, While only preferred embodiments of the in~7entl0n have been described herein in detail, it will be understood that ~25 the invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be made -within the scope of the attached claims, Fcr ex~mple~
~9~(~5~
while a specific form o combination lock having an axially moving plug has been discribed for locking the actuator lever, other forms of locking mechanism may be used for this purpose.
Claims (4)
1. A combination lock comprising a casing, a shaft axially movably mounted in said casing, a nose portion at one end of said shaft defining a latch formation for engaging a member to be locked, said shaft having a latching position in which the nose portion projects from the casing,combination locking means for releasably locking the shaft in said latching position, the shaft being moveable axially from said latching position to an unlatching position only when said combination locking means is on combination by movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing,and the shaft being moveable axially beyond said unlatching position when the locking means is on combination by further movement of said nose portion inwardly with respect to said casing to move the shaft into a position in which the combination of said locking means can be changed.
2. A combination lock as defined in claim 1 including resilient biasing means urging the shaft toward the latching position and a stop member adapted to engage the outer end of said nose portion when the shaft is in said position in which the combination can be changed for holding the shaft in said position against the action of said biasing means.
3. A combination lock as defined in claim 2 wherein said stop member comprises a portion of a leaf spring over which said nose portion fits when the shaft is in said latching and unlatching positions, and which springs into a shaft-holding position when cleared by said nose portion.
4. A combination lock as defined in claim 3 wherein said leaf spring has a depressable portion for releasing said stop member and permitting the shaft to return to said latching position under the influence of said resilient biasing means, said depressable portion being covered by the member to be locked when said member is in engagement with said latch formation.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US200,000 | 1980-10-23 | ||
| US06/200,000 US4363226A (en) | 1980-10-23 | 1980-10-23 | Latching system for luggage articles |
| CA000386586A CA1177864A (en) | 1980-10-23 | 1981-09-24 | Latching system for luggage articles |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386586A Division CA1177864A (en) | 1980-10-23 | 1981-09-24 | Latching system for luggage articles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1194056A true CA1194056A (en) | 1985-09-24 |
Family
ID=25669449
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000461399A Expired CA1194056A (en) | 1980-10-23 | 1984-08-20 | Latching system for luggage articles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1194056A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-08-20 CA CA000461399A patent/CA1194056A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| KR890003023B1 (en) | Lockset assembly | |
| US6993944B2 (en) | Dead bolt lock | |
| CA2073626C (en) | Slide fastener | |
| GB2359115A (en) | Positive lock armrest mechanism | |
| US6535380B1 (en) | Portable computer with an unlatching member movable in either of two opposite directions to permit opening of a computer lid | |
| US4363226A (en) | Latching system for luggage articles | |
| US4690439A (en) | Mechanism for opening and closing a door of a home electric equipment, particularly a electronic range | |
| JP2908766B2 (en) | Pachinko machine locking device | |
| JPS622755U (en) | ||
| JPH0243179Y2 (en) | ||
| CA1194056A (en) | Latching system for luggage articles | |
| US7416230B2 (en) | Safety lock for lever-type door handles | |
| JPS60105776A (en) | Chain lock device of trunck equipped with combination lock | |
| US4648643A (en) | Retrofit lever assembly for a door knob | |
| US5492377A (en) | Window lock | |
| KR200188599Y1 (en) | A discharge handle bar equipment | |
| JP3937193B2 (en) | Sliding door lock | |
| KR890005211B1 (en) | Lockset assembly | |
| JP3636115B2 (en) | Door lock unit | |
| JPH02101276A (en) | Door for building | |
| JP2601430Y2 (en) | Catch clip | |
| JPH0144696Y2 (en) | ||
| JP3030182U (en) | Dial code lock | |
| JP3646796B2 (en) | Display lock | |
| JP2557331Y2 (en) | Door lock cover |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |