CA1271045A - Key and lock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

KEY AND LOCK MECHANISM
ABSTRACT
A key/combination lock having a series of first turnable members each being constructed to be moved by turning movement of a key. There is a series of second turnable members operatively related on a one-to-one basis with the first turnable members. Said second turnable members are constructed to be turned by finger contact. There is a mechanism for each pair of turnable members whereby movement of the second turnable member is imparted to the first turnable member. Each of the first turnable members has a peripheral notch, the notches being brought into alignment with one another and into register with a lock releasing mechanism upon the two stages of movement effected by the key and the finger contact. A cylindrical key is provided for actuating the lock and has a longitudinal keyway from which circumferential grooves extend, terminating in stop faces displaced coded circumferential distances from said keyway. The stop faces are adapted to engage internal lugs on the first turnable members.
The cylindrical member can be made of plural segments in which a stop face terminates at an end face of a segment.
The lock is preferably arranged so that a record of the identity of the user is made after the first stage of turning movement but prior to the second stage.
The lock also preferably has a case containing a key holder which cannot be released until the code wheels are in predetermined positions.

The key preferably has stop faces for turning and then axially shifting a sequencing wheel. The key also preferably has a cam face to axially move the sequencing wheel.
The key also preferably has a wide circumferential groove for receiving a wide lug on the case to insure full insertion of the key prior to actuation of the internal components.

Description

KEY AND LOCK MECHANI SM

This invention relates to a lock mechanism and a key therefor.
A preferred form of the invention relates to a lock opened not only by use of the key but the entry of a combination.
Lock mechanisms incorporating both key operation and combination operation are old. The early U.S.
patent to Raab, 1,389,380 shows a lock mechanism in which the combination or permutation mechanism needs to be operated to enable the lock to be opened by the key.
The U.S. patent to Machinist 1,937,523 shows such a lock where the combination must be first dialed into the combination lock, before a key can be inserted, to open the lock.
A later version of the above locks is the one shown in the U.S. patent to Hermann 3,383,886, in which the key is first inserted and then the cominbation dial operated to enable the key to be turned. There-after, the dial must be further turned in order to open the lock.

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The nlore -recent U.~. paten~ to llutchiTls 4,416,337 StlOWS a loclc mectlanism having a key and a combination lock comprising three or more dials.
In the German patent 1,428,526, combination dials are first moved coded distances, and then a coded key is inserted to move the wheels Eurther distances to effect opening of the lock.
The design of the German lock and key is such that the locLc can be opened by differently coded keys, provided that the cornbination discs or dials are moved amounts related to the code of the particular key used.
The later U.S. patent to Gable 4,325,240 shows a lock much like the one in the German patent, but having the reverse sequence, i.e., the key is inserted first, and the coded combination is thereafter clialed in. The Gable patent, like the German patent, can be opened by differently coded Iceys provided that the combination dialecl in is related to the particular lcey used.
It is evident from the above, that in botll the German patent and the Gable patent one stage of coded input is effected by rectilinear insertion of a flat coded Ltey.
A mairl object of the present invention is to provicle an improved key cornbination loclc that can be openecl by difEerently cocled lceys, ancl to provide an improved key for SUCil a locLc.

Another irnportant object of the invention is to provicle a key/colnblrlatioTI loclc so deslgned that a uniquely snaped key is required to open it, whereby duplication oE the Icey is macle diEEicult.

s AnottIer object of the invention is to provkte a key of a unique cylindrical form, rather thIn flat fornl5 as in the GermarI ancl Gable patents, making it difficult to duplicate.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a Icey for such a lock that can be produced by arranging and fixing together in tanden-l relationship, cylindrical segrnents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key/combination lock in which the turning, rather than rectilinear movement of the key is utilized to effect one stage of coded movement of the combination dials, rather than utilizing rectilinear movernent.
The present Lnvention provides a Lcey/combinatlon lock in which two stages of movement of turnable elements are necessary to open the lock, one stage of movement being effected by insertion and turning of a key, while the second stage of movement is effected manually. The present invention also provides a cylindrical key for opening the above lock.

The lock of the present invention preferably incorporates a recording feature. That feature is per se not new, being shown, for instance in U.S.
patents to Knistrom 1,253,051, DeVines 3,438~051 and Gable 4,325,240.
Another object of the inv2ntion is to provide a locLc mectlarIlsm of the coded wheel type having a specially designed key which can not only t~Irn the wheels cocIe(l distances but aLso can actuate a recorcling Inechanism-A furttIer object oE the invention is to provide a locIc ancI Icey arrangement as just recited above L0~5 whereln the-re are sec;uenc:ing means for controlling the sequence of operations to assure, among other th:ings, that the lock cannot be unlocked Witllout recording the icientity of the Icey used to enter the lock.
A still further object is to provide a key for a lock of the type just recited above, that participates in the sequencing operations.
The concept of recordi.ng the identity of the specific key used in opening a lock is ideal for the lock box industry in which a key holc:ler in the box is releasable upon proper operation oE a series of coded wheels, to enable the user to remove a stored "access" key from ~he holder for use in gaining access to another struc~ure.
It is another object of the invention to provide a lock box/key holder unit having a latch for releasably retaining a key holder in place, an exterior release button for releasing said lateh~ a series of cocled wheels preventing actuation of the button until the coded wheels have been turned to predetermined positions, a recording mechanisnl operable when actuatecl for recording predetermined positions of the codecl wheels, and a sequencirlg means also preventing actuation of the button unt:il the sequerlcing means has been actuatecl by a key which also participates :in tlle actuatLc)ll oE the -recor(l:i.ng mechan:i.s~
It :is a stilL furthel^ object o~ the inventi.on to provi.de a Icey which not only turns the codecl wheels 3~ but a:Lso can actuate other dev-ices in the lock, and particularly to prov.ide a Icey :in ~hich turning nnovement of the Icey turns coded wheels, but wherein the key by its design -is perlrlitted to sllbsequently move recti~

linearly for actuating ce-l:tain clevLces; and also is so formecl as to be capable of resetting at least part of the sequencing rnechanism as the key is retro-turned.
Various other objects of the invention wil:L
be apparent from the following description talcen in connection with the accompanying clrawings wherein:
Fig. L is a perspective view of a lock mechanism of OUI' invention 3 Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fi~. 1;
Fig. 3 is a face view of a disc/ring ~mit~ the figure also showing certain related co~nponents, with the parts shown in the position they assume in the locked condition of the loclc;
Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but showing the }cey having been turned to effect first stage movement;
Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 4, but showing the rings having been turned to dispose the lock in its unlocked conclition;

Fig. 6 is an edge view, partly in section, showiny~
a clisc/ring unit;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the key, a ring, a code disc, ancl certaill related parts;
Fig. ~ is a side vlew of a key of the present Lnverltion;
Fig. ~) is a view of the key talcerl 90 clegrees from that itl F:ig. 8;

Fig. l~ is Cl perspective view oE an operating segrnent of the key;
~ iy,. 11 ;s a perspective view of the free end segment of the Icey;

L0~5 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a nlodifiecl key;
Fig. l3 is a view liLce Fig. 12, but talcen from the opposite enci and side;
Fig. 14 is an exploded vi ew of a key/combination loclc incorporating a recording mechanism;
Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the case shown in Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a sequencing wheel and rocLcer lever and certain associated parts;
Fig. 17 is a vi ew like ~ig. 16, but showing a dif ferent position of the parts;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the shackle release bar and related parts;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a key of the invention;
Fig. 20 i s a perspective view of certain internal componerlt s of tlhe lock;
Fig. 21 is a sectioncll view like Fig. 2, but showing the ~?ig. 14 arrangement;
Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the interior assembly, taken frorn the side thereof ~ as regards Fig. 15, rernote from the keyhole;
F:ig. 23 is a view like Fig. 22, b~lt showing a cllfEerent stage oE ope-ration;
Fig. 2l~ is a Eront Eragmelltary elevatlonal view oE the il-lter-ior ~sse~ ly, correspondLng to the F-iy,.
22 stage of ol)eratLon;
Fig. 25 is a Eragmenta-ry front elevational view of the interio-r assernbly corresponcling to the F'ig.
'~ 3 s tage o E opera t i OTl;
Fig. 2() is a side elevational view of the sequencing wheel and certa ir- associatecl parts, corresponding to the F-igs . 22 ancl 24 stage of operation j ~2~ fl~i Fig. 27 is a view lilce Fig. 26, but corresponding to Figs. 23 and 25 stage of operation;
l'ig. 2~ is a vertical cross section oE the case, showing the Icey holder and certain associated parts.
Referring prirnarily to Figs. 1 and 2, our lnvention includes a housing or case 11, in which a key/colIlbinatio rnechanisIn of the present invention -is incorporated.
The case 11 has a container or pouch 13 for holding an "access" key Ti~. 'l'his access key is to be used in admitting access to another device or structure.

The overall arrangernent is such that when an actuator 15 is depressed, it pivots a lever 17 to release a latch (to be later described), enabling the container 13 to be removed, to make availa'ble use of the access lcey.
However, the actuator 15 cannot normally be depressed because it has a stop member 31 (Figs.
; 1 and 2) which has a series oE pins 32 (Fig. 3) disposed close to the peripheries of a series of code discs 35, preventing depression oi the actuator 15 at all times, except when a series of notches 36 in the discs are brought into alignment with one anothe-r and into register with the pins 32.
Each code disc is formed on one of its faces with a h~lb 37 on which is turnably mounted a combirIation ring ~1. The cornbination ring is internally serrated at ~3 to receive a spring biased detent 45 carried l~y ~-Ie hub po-rt:lon of the associated code disc.

The exterior of each combination ring, is Eornled 3() Wittl a ser;es of serrations 57. Each series oE serra-tions receives a spring pressecI detent 59 (Fig. 7), one being provided on the case 11 for each com'bination 1.~7~04~

ring. Ii~acLl ring is also foKmed with a projecting contacting element or tab 61 by which the ring may be actuated by finger contact.
Each cocle disc is Eormecl with a central bore 62 which is circular except be-ing interrupted by a keying lug 64 (Fig. 7). ~lereinafter the keying lug will be called an "internal" lug because of the many otller uses oE the term "Lcey" herein.
A cylindrical key 69 (Figs. 7 - 11) is shown as being made ~Ip of a plurality of cylindrical segments, labeled 69a - 69h in Fig. ~, preEerably permanently bondecd or otherwise secured in encl-to-end relationship, there being a handle 70 secured to segrnent 69h.
Each of the segments is formed with a longit~ldinal groove 71 (Fig. 10) for each of the segments. The groove extends completely through each segment except for segment 69h, where it stops just short of the right hand end face of the segment. For convenience, the letter G will be used to clesignate the composite groove made ~lp by the end-to end dispos;tion of the grooves 71 oE the various se~ments. -tE desired, segment 69h may be made an integral part of the shank of the key.
Each oE the segments, except for segment 69a, is formecl with a circulclr groove 73 (Fig. 10) terminating ln a stop shoulcler 75, the shouklers beirlg clifEerently c;rcunlEt-~rentiaLly Locate(l ahout the a~is of tlle Icey in accordaTlce wlth the code of the key. rhe particular clisposition of the shoulclers shown in the drawing represents only one overall code. It is, of course, contelnpLatecl that the locL; mechanism will be accessecl ~ ~7~

by a nunlber of keys of the san1e general type, but having diEferent codes.
The groove G is of a siæe to slidably receive the internal lugs 64 on the code discs, the code discs having such lugs in alignrnent at the tirne the key is inserted into the lock. Preferably, the case 11 has a key hole 80 (Fig. 1) for receiving the key.
At the time the key is inserted, the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 3. The key is now turned clockwise to bring the shoulders 75 into selective contact with the internal lugs of the code discs and selectively turn the code dlscs relative to the combination rings, arnounts relative to the circurnEeren-tial disposition of the vario~ls shoulders~ This movement locates the various notches 36 on the code discs in intermediate positions of movement, which rnay be considered the positions they assurne after a first stage of movement (Fig. 4).

The notches 36 are not yet in aliOnment, having not yet been rnoved far enough to be brought into alignment with one another, or into proxlmity with the stop rnember 31.
Now, a person knowing the code combination related to the partic-llar key being used~ by finger contact with the contact elements or tabs 61, will turn the combin.ltion rings seLectively in accorclance wlth ~he code. SUCh movemellt of ~he rings will carry with them the respective cocle discs, to move the notches 36 a seconcl stage oE movenlent and into alignrnent 3~ with one another and into register with the p:ins 32 of the stop merllber 31 ~Fig. 5).

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Now, the actuator 15 can 'be depressed to open the case to enable removal of the access key K..
Preferably, however, a roclcer latch (to be clescribed) is provicled to prevent depression of the actuator ~mtil such time as the identity of the key has been recorded.
It is pointed out that the pressure applied by the detents 59 exceecls the pressure o.~ the detents 45, so that turning moverment of the code discs under the influence of the key will cause the detents ~5 to pop in and out of the internal serrations on the rings ~1, without moving the combination rings relative to their detents 5g.
It is further pointed out that the contacting elements or tabs 61 project through a series of slots S formed in the case 11 (Fig. 1) to expose the peri-pherles of the combination rings, but not the peripheries of the code discs and their notches 36~ whieh are thus eoncealed.
After the 'Icey eontainer has been reinserted into the ease, the eontaeting elements 61 are returned to their zero positions, this movement earrying the clises with the rings, bringing the parts to their Fig. ~ posi.t:ions. ~'hen tt-e key is turned in a retro direction so that the shoulders providecl by the groove G success:ively engage the internal lugs 64 to n~ove the co(:lc cl.isc5 relat:Lve to the comb:inat-Lon rings ancl return the code discs baek to their orig:inal cocled pos:itions (li`ig. 3), where the :internal lugs w:ill now be in alignment w:ith tlle axially extending groove G in the key 69. Now, the eylindrieal Icey can be relllc)ved, 'Leaving the lugs aligned, ancl cond:ition--:LO-7~ 0~ ~

ing the lock for properLy receivi1lg the cylln(lrical key at a later tilne.
A recorder can be built int:o the loclc 1nectiallisnl anc1 follow the teachings of the prior art known ways.
For instance, the periphery of each cocle dlsc can be provide~ with a series of nwr1bered projections, which together with an imprinting means indicates the cocle of the key used in opening the lock mechanislT1.
The imprinting mechanism T11ay be actuated by the actuator 15 or it rnay be actuated by Eorrning a set of longitudinal grooves on the key to enable the key, after it has been turned to its fully operative position, to be forced axially inwardly against spring resistance to trip an actuator for the recording rnechanisn~.
Fig. 12 StlOWS a rnodified key in which the grooves 73' are of bayonet shape to provide an axial portion.
This permits the key, after being rnoved thro~gh the first and second stages of movement9 to be pushed axially to trip an imprinting pacl mechanism associated with the numbered edges of the code discs. A foil, shown in Fig. 1, is interposed between such edges and is p-ressed by the imprinting pad mechanism ~gainst the numbered edges of the code discs to ma-rk the oil and thus iclentify the key used.
~ t this time, it is pointed out that the peripheries of the cocle wheels are in such slicling but rotary contact with tt-le bulging front portion 7$ of the case ancl a crc>sC; mer11ber 79 oE the fra1nework I~1~1, as to tl1-rna~Ly suppor~: the cocle wheels and therefore the comt~ination rings wlthin the case.
Now turrling to i~'igs. 14 et sec1., these StlOW
structure which adcls to and/or in son~e instances revises that shown in Figs. 1 - l3.

~2'7~)45 i~eEerring ~o li~,. 14, the case ll' is esserltiaLLy the same as the case 1l in Fig. l. One diEference is that case 11' has an orienting lug 82 (Fi~. L5) at the key hole ~0, that is not evident from ~ig.
11 .
This lug is of a width to slidably fit in the groove G at the tlme the Icey 69' is insertecl into the lock.
The groove initially orients the key relative to the case, and more importantly, relative to certain internal components of the lock, and as will become evident, determines the return positions of such internal components at the time the key is retroturned to a position where it can be withdrawn frorn t'ne loc~c.
It is pointed out that the key 69' like key 69, is formecl with plural circurnferential grooves.
In key ~9', the groove 90, closest to the handle is wide-r than the other grooves, beca~lse the orienting lug 80 is Irlacle longer (in an axial direction) than the internal lugs G4 of the code wheels. This rneans that the key has to be fully insertecl before lt can be turned.
Another difference between the structure in Ligs. l - 13 and that in Fig. 14 et seq.~ lies in the detentin~ alrangement between the exte-rior of the colnbirla~-iorl r;ngs and the case, on tlle one harl(l, ancl the interior oi the colnbination rirlgs cm(i tlle code disc detents, on the other.
The springs ~4 (best showrl ln I~ig. 21) are so proportioned, in the structure in Fig. 14 that the press~lre applied to the cletents 45 is strong enough -l2-~L27~0~5 to carry the eowlbinc-lt:ion -rings 4l ' w-ith the cocle d:i scs 3S as the cocle cli scs are turnecl, except th~lt each eombination ring is provided with a cleep serrat:io 57 ' (.E;ig. 21 ) in WhiCll the eorresponding (letent fits, in the zero position of the eomb1nation ring. Ttlis means that it is rnore clifficu1t to nlove a comb;.natior ring from its rest position than it is at any other t ime .

It thus follows, that movement of the eode ;liscs or wheels under the influence of the l~ey causes the detents 45 to ratchet around within the interior of the combinat:ion rings, because the detent pressure at 45 is insufficient to overcorne the resistance orce createcl by the associated detents 59 f;.tt:klg in the deep serrations 57 ' .
On the other hand, once the resistance of the cletents 59 has been overeome, by manually setting or moving the tabs 61, movernent of the eombLnation rings ls easie-r. In faet, the relationship is suet that in retroMovement~ turning of the key (which t engages the interna1 1ugs of the cocle wheels ) not only nloves the code wlleels in a resetting cl:irection, but the code whee1s carry the combination rings witt tlle code wheels, with the cletents 59 now rateheting in and out. Ttlus ret-roturning of the key automat:ica11y resets the colnbinat.ion r:ings to their ~ero positions.
S~lch retrot~l-rning moverllerlt of the lcey also returns the eocle dlscs to thei.r ~ero pos:itlons.
As previous:Ly mentioned, it is eontemp1ated that a reeorcle-r can be b~.li1t :i.nto tlle :Lock mechanisln.

Inso.Ear as the reco-rd:ing prine;.p1e in venera1 is COnCeI'lled 9 the prior art recited hereillbefore shows exampl e s o:E t hi s .

~.2~7~)45 The Fig. l4 et seq. str-lct~l-L-e sho~s the way that a reco-rder is ineorporate(l within the loclc.
Ilow ic is incorporate(l is a Eeatu-re of the present invention.
A printing head 103 (Fig. 26) is tlltably supported on a shaft lOl, ~Jhich in turn is supported by the framewc~rk ~J. The printing head has incorporateci in it a foil-ad-vaneing rnechanism (of knowrl construction) which is aetuated eaeh time the printing head is aetuated, to aclvanee a sheet of foil F t-rained about the printing head. I`his ineremental advaneement insures separation of the informat-ion reeorded at the time of use of the loelc by one key, from that reeorded upon use by other Lceys.
Insofar as aetuation of the printing meehanisr is eoneerned, it was previously mentioned herein that the imprinting meehanism might be aetuatecl by the aetuator 15, or the parts might be so arranged that the lcey eould trip an aetuator for the reeording mechanism.
In the Figs. 14 et seq., Eorrm of the invention, it is the key that pre-Eerably not only trips the ope-rat-ion of the reeording meehanistn, it aetually funetions as the aetuator, first eock:ing the printing head 1()3 (Fig. 27) away frorrl the eode wheels, against the res;stanee of a tors:ion sp-ring Lll, (Fig. 23) and then tripping the eoelced head so that it snaps towarcl the ~/heels to bring Eoil 1~ (Fig. 26) into engageTnent with the numberecl pro;jeetions l~ OTl the cocle wheeLs.
An inlportant eature of tile present invention is the provision of a sequencing melnber, whleh in ~710~5 Figs. l4 et seg., -Is in the Eorm of a wl-eel 12l.

This sequencin~ wheel is not only in part supportecl by the case and the Erameworlc ~W, but has a huh l23 (Fig. 23) rotatably received in an opening forlned by a curvecl notch 124 in a wall of the frameworlc, and a curved notch 126 fornled in a projecting flange 128 on the case.
The sequencing wheel has an internal lug 125 (Fig. 23) n~uch like the internal lug 64 on a code wheel. There is a circumEerentially facing shoulder 127 at the end of groove 90 of the Icey. The sIIoulder is not visible in Fig. 19, but it is in Fig. 12.
(The Yig. 12 key has one more interrnediate segrnent than the one in Fig. 19, so the latter key is distln-guished by the prime mark). It is this shoulcLer that engages the internal lug 125 and turns the sequenc-ing wheel during the turning movement of the key.
At the beginning oE a cycle of operations, a peripheral carn 131 (Figs. 23 and 26) on the exterior of the sequencing wheel lies in the same vertical plane as a Eollower lug 133 (Fig. 26) on the printing head.
The arrangelnent is such that the cam 131 will engage the follower lug 133 just before the Icey reaches the en~ of its forwarcl turning stroLce (Fig. 27).

This engagemerIt tiLts the printing head against the -resistance of the torsion spring 111, moving the he.I~l an~l FoLl awcly Erolll t-lIe pe-r-ipheries oE the code cIiscs. ~ stop on the sequencing wheel engages a 3~ stop boss l37 (~ig. 1~) on the case to deterrlllne the extent oE the Eorward movement of tLIe sequencing t~1h e e :L .

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Now, as previously pointed out, the key is preEer-ably forrned wi~h bayonet slots. ~lowever, thls is not so for the outernlost groove 13~ (Fig. 19). Instead, the groove has an a~ially clirected shoulder 139, which, upon axial movernent of the key, engages the internal lug of the sequencing wheel, to shift the sequencing wheel axially inwardly to misaligrl the cam and the Eollower. This allows the printin~ head to snap back (Fig. 26) to its rest position impacting the foil F on the numbers N on the coded wheels to thus identify the key used in opening the loclc.
The sequencing wheel 121 is provided with several sequencing pins 141 (Figs. lG, 17 and 23), while ttle opposing wall of the fraMeworlc FW and the flange 128 is provided with matching holes 1~3, so located that the pins cannot enter the holes untll the key has been turned as far as it can be turned (at which time the printing head is fully cocked and the code wheels have been fully moved to their coded positions, compare EigsD 23 and 27). Thus it is evident that the sequencing pins assure that the prirting head cannot be released ~mtil the code wheels have been moved to their fully coded positions.
A further feature of the sequencing wheel is that there is a rocker latch 151 (Figs. 14, 16 and 17) tiltably molmted at 152 in a slot in the framework.
'I`he latctl has an uppe-r a-rm normally in a bloclcing position j~lSt below the horizontal leg l~ortion 153 of the lever l7. Thus, while the key can be turned to set tlle cocle wheels to thei-r coded positions, and while the tabs 61 can be moved to further move ~ ~7~)45 the coded whee'ls to aligll the notches 3G with the pins 32, the button or ac~uator 15 cannot ~e clepressecl because oE the presence o the rocker latch.
The lower arm of the rocLcer latch has a toe 155 projecting Erorn the wall oE the frameworlc toward the associated side of the sequencing wheel 121, while the upper arm has a toe 156. rM~ese toes extelld toward the sequencing wheel, but terminate just short of it, in the unshifted position of the wheel (Fig. 16 The sequencing wheel has a section removed, as is evident from the drawings, to leave a clearance notch 157 in the sequencing wheel.
It is evident from the a'bove clescription that the two toes on the rocker latch would prevent axial shiEting movemellt of the sequencing wheel were it not for the notch 157. That is to say, when the sequencing wheel is properly turned by the key to the Fig. 17 position, the notch 157 will come into aligmnent with the upper toe 156, whereafter the sequencing wheel can be shifted to the left engaging the lower toe and rocking the rocLcer latch. This allows clepress-lon of the actuator 15.
The Eramework is provided with a spring pressecl detent and the rocker latch has a hole 160, the parts being arranged such that when the sequence wheel is axially shLEted to roc'k the rocker latch, the detent wiLl snap in~o the hole 'l60 ancl releasably hold the -rocker latch in its inoperative l:)os;tion, i.e., in a position whe~re its upper arm no longer 3~ t)locLcs depressing movelllent oE the actuator 15.
It is evklent Eroln t'he a'bove discussion that the secluencing wheel arrangement is another safeguard 0~5 to prohibit release oE tlle container or poucil or Icey holder 13 until after the identity of the key has been recordecl, because the roclcer latch prevents release of the lcey holcler until after the recording operation has taken place.
With reference to the form oE the invention disclosed itl Figs. 1 - 13, it has a lever 17 for releasing the key holder. The latch in Figs. 14 et seq., has a similar lever 17 , but in this form of the invention, the lever does not carry the pins 32 as the lever 17 carries the pins 32. Instead, there is a pin-carrying bar 170 having guides 171 flt~ing in ways 172 formed in the frameworlc, there being a leaf spring urging the pin-carrying bar upwardly.
~lhen the lever 17 is depressed, it depresses the ways with its pins 32 moving toward the primary ; notches 36 (Fig. 20) of the code wheels.
The key holder 13 is releasably re~ained in the case, with its base flush with the bottom of the case, by a spring leaf latch 201 (Fig. 28), Mo~mted on the case and having hole 203 to receive a latch pin 205 on the holder 13 . The latch is mounted on the framewor~ FW, to extetld downwarclly in cantilever Eashion.
The hori~ontal leg 153 of the lever 17 has a -Einger portion 21l disposeci behind tlIe latctl 201.
~fter the seclllencing wheel 12l has been axially shiftecl to inactivate the roclcer latch lSl, the lever I7 can be actuateI to cause the finy~er 211 to cleflect the latcll away from the latch pin to free it. rhis allows a biasing spring leaf 215, mounted on the ~27~04S

Erameworli to pllsh ttle Liey holcler downwardly, exposing its base. In addition, the lower encl oE the latch is curled at 217 so as to exert a sepnrating thrust on the holder, via the pin (after the pin has been freed from the latch).
Thus the holcler is freed and its access key K can be llsed for its intended purpose, replacecl, and the holder pushed baclc into the case. As this is done, the latch pin will engage the curl 217 to deflect the latch enough to allow the holder to be fully reinserted, at which time the latch pin 205 automatically reenters the hole 203 to latch the holder in place within the case.
Now, it is time to relock the lock, which is accomplished by retroturning the Lcey. The preferred form of the key, as shown in Fig. 19, has a camming shoulcler 271 formed on it, so that during the Eirst increment of its retro moverllellt, the caln engages the internal lug on the sequeneing wheel and cams the sequencing wheel outwardly so that the seq~lencing pins 141 elear ttle holes 143 to enable the sequencing wheel to be retroturned.
It is pointed out that the sequencing wheel has a finger 275 projecting in an inboarcl clirectlon and disposed opposite a spring 277 provicled on the ErameworLc. When the sequerlcing wheel, cluring its Eorward turning nlovenlent, is movecl ~ar erlough to align the sccluerlcillg pins Wittl the holes, the Einger wLll engage the spring and app`ly a retrograde force attempting to turn the secluencing wtleel slightLy.

This has no functiorl during the forwarcl cycle oE operation, but it cloes during the retrogracle cycle.

-l 9-

2 ~ 5 That is to say, as soon as the sequencing pins l~l clear the holes l43, the spr:ing 277, because of its pressure on the finger 275, will cause the sequencing wheel to turn slightly, to misalign the sequer1cirIg pins with the holes. This occurs even prior to turning movement of the sequencing whee'L uncler the inEluence of the key. ~1US, once the pins are free of the holes, they cannot by inadvertence reenter the holes.
When the sequencing wheel is camnled 'back to its original positior- by retroturning movement of the key, the sequence wheel upon turning movement wlll cause a camming surface 280 thereon to engage the lower toe oE the rocker latch to cam the rocker latch bacLc to its erect bloclcing position. This prohibits operation of the actuator 15, and furthermore positions the upper and lower toes of the rocker latch opposite solid portions of the sequencing wheel, rattler than the clearance notch 157.
A Eurther feature of the Figs. 14 et seq., form of the invention is a friction drag 28l (Fig. 28) carried on the framework. As shown, the friction clrag is a spr-ing leaf that is so mountecl and proportioned and positioned relative to the sequenclng wheel that it engages the periphery oE the wheel and applies a ErLction force to the wheel. Its purpose is to prevent the wheel, once the key has been withc1rawn, from be111g moved, inadvertentLy, from its ~ero position, as migt1t occ1lr if the loclc were IcnocLcecl about.
[r the form of the invention clisclosed in the d-rawir1gs, the 'IocLc is eclulppec1 with a shaclcle 301 by which 1t may be mounted on a cloor Xnob or similar 1~7~)45 pLace. Obviously the lock coulcl be designecl Eor : other uses which would not require a shaclc:Le.
The shackle 301 has a short leg 301a and a long leg 301b. The top oE the case 11 or 11' has a pai-r of soclcets 303 and 305, socket 303 being blind, while socket 305 has a hole in the top of the case so that the long leg 301b extends clown into the case.
~ Jhen the shaclcle is lockecl in plaee, ;ts short leg 301a projects dowrl into blind socket 303, so that the lock is securely shaekled in place.

At its lower end, the long leg 301b earries a latch l~lg 307 that cooperates with a tilt latch 309. The tilt lateh is rockably mounted by a shaft 321 mounted :in bosses on the baek cover 323 whlch closes the rear of the ease. The shape of the tilt latch is evident from Fig. 18. A leaE spring 325 is located beneath the t:ilt latch and urges the tilt lateh to an upright position, with an operative hoolc portion 309a upright as regards the baek cover (althougt-horizontally as the parts are arranged in the drawings).

Wlth the parts so far clescribed, the shaclcle eould be moved upwardly with the latch lug 307 moving the t:ilt latch out of the way, to a point where the short leg 301 is clear of its blincl socket, so that the sl~ackle can be pivoted to a position enabling it to be removed from a door ~nob or other shaEt-like support.

However, the t:ilt latch itself is latehecl in position by a sequencing latch in the :Eorm of a cross bar 331 whieh is p:ivotally rnountecl on a shaEt 333 iournalecl in bosses on the Erarneworlc:~W. A torsion Sprillg 335 urges the sequence latch bar to remain i.n an erect position, where an overhanging Einger ~ ~ 7 337 is disposed in a b:Lock:ing pos:ition prevent:i.n~
t.ilting of the tilt latch in a releasing clirection.
Tlle code discs are provicled wi.th a second set o:E peripheral notches, labeled 341, wl~:ile the bar 337 is providecd with a set of projections 343 disposed near the periphery of the code discs and in a pos:ition to enter the second set of notches, whenever they are brought :into reglster with the projections.
This occurs when the code discs have been properly L0 nloved through their first and second phases of turning rnovement, first by the key, and then by hand operations of the tabs 61. Tllen, there is a release button 345 exposecl on the baclc cover for the case, and project-ing :into the ease In contiguous relation to the rear of the bar 337, and above the shaft for the bar.
Now, assume that the code discs have been properly moved so that the projections on the bar are in register with the secondary notches of the code discs, and i.t is the desire of the user to remove the lock Eron~
2~ the door or other suppor~. This l~e ean clo by simply pressing the release button 345 which pivots the : bar to move its finger to an out-of-the-way pOSitiOIl enabling the long leg 301b of the shaekle to be movecl upwardly with the lateh pin roeking the tilt latch enabl.i.n~, the p:i.n an~l shaclc'Le to n~ove upwarclly until the short 'leg clears its blind boss. Now, the shackle ancl ease can be pivoted relative to one another to "open" the shaelc'le, enabli.rlg separation oE the shaclcle and loclc froln the shank o.E the cloor lcnob.
3U ()E course, more often, the user will simpLy want to obtain the access key an(l use :it, while 'Leaving the lock w:ith its shackle in place. ~-lowever, shoulcl he want to remove the lock mechan:isrrl:Eor any reasorl, he can do so.
Whenever it is desirecl to remount the shackle, this is readily clone simply by aligning the short leg with lts blind boss and pressing downwardly on the shaGkle. The latch pin will again engage the tilt latch, but this time, it is immaterial whether or not the release button 345 has been depressed or can be depressed, because the latch bar only prevents tilting of the tilt latch in one direction, i.e., upward movement oE the shackle, not downward movement~

Claims (17)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A key/combination lock comprising a series of first turnable members each being constructed to be moved by turning movement of the key, a series of second turnable members operatively related on a one-to-one basis with the first turnable members, said second turnable members being constructed to be turned by finger contact, and means whereby movement of said second turnable members is imparted to said first turnable members.

2. A key/combination lock as recited in claim 1 in which there are means for holding said second turnable members stationary during turning movement of said first turnable members under the influence of the key.

3. A key/combination lock as described in claim 2 in which each of said means comprises a spring biased detent, in which the pressure exerted by the second named means is greater than that exerted by the first named means.

4. A key/combination lock as recited in claim l in which each of said first turnable members has a peripheral notch, wherein said notches are brought into alignment with one another after the two stages of movement recited in claim 1.

5. A key/combination lock Is recited in claim 4 in which there is a lock releasing mechanism associated with said first turnable members but prevented from releasing movement until said notches have been brought into alignment with one another and into register with said lock releasing mechanism.

6. A key/combination lock as recited in claim 1 wherein there is a cylindrical key having coded circumferentially related contact surface to contact and move said first turnable members.

7. A key comprising a cylindrical member having a longitudinal keyway, said member having circumferential grooves extending from said keyway and terminating in stop faces displaced coded circumferential distances from said keyway.

8. A key as recited in claim 7 in which said cylindrical key is made up of a plurality of cylindrical segments each having at least one stop face terminating at an end face of a segment.

9. A key/combination lock, and a key for such lock, said key/combination lock comprising a series of first turnable members each being constructed to be moved by turning movement of the key, a series of second turnable members operatively related on a one-to-one basis with the first turnable members, said second turnable members being constructed to be turned by finger contact, means whereby movement of said second turnable members is imparted to said first turnable members, means for holding said second turnable members stationary during turning movement of said first turnable members under the influence of the key, each of said means comprising a spring biased detent, the pressure exerted by the second named means being greater than that exerted by the first named means, each second turnable member having a central bore interrupted by a projection to be engaged by said key, said key comprising a cylindrical member having a longitudinal keyway, said member having circumferential grooves extending from said keyway and terminating in stop faces displaced coded circumferential distances from said keyway, each of said first turnable members has a peripheral notch, wherein said notches are brought into alignment with one another after the two stages of movement recited, and in which there is a lock releasing mechanism associated with said first turnable members but prevented from releasing movement until said notches have been brought into alignment with one another and into register with said lock releasing mechanism.

10. A lock including means openable when actuated to make a record of the identity of the key used to open the lock, means arranged to be actuated for a first stage of movement, and then a second stage of movement, and means actuatable by the key for actuating the first named means after said first stage of movement but prior to said second stage of movement.

11. A key/combination lock comprising a series of first turnable members each being constructed to be moved by turning movement of a key, a series of second turnable members operatively related on a one-to-one basis with the first turnable members, said second turnable members being constructed to be turned by finger contact, and means whereby movement of said second turnable members is imparted to said first turnable members.

12. A lock as described in claim 11, wherein there are actuating means for said record making means including control means which includes a sequencing wheel coaxial with said first and second turnable members and adapted for actuation by the key.

13. In a lock box, a case, a container insertable into and removable from said case, releasing means operable when actuated for releasing said container, a series of code wheels preventing actuation of said releasing means but turnable to non-obstructing posi-tions, record means operable when actuated to record certain positions of said code wheels, and key actuated means for preventing actuation of said releasing means but moved to a non-obstructing position concurrent with the operation of said recording means.

14. A key for use with a lock having tumblers equipped with internal lugs, said key comprising an elongate cylindrical member having a longitudinal keyway to receive the lugs, said member having circum-ferential grooves extending from said keyway and terminating in circumferentially facing stop faces displaced coded circumferential distances from said keyway, said member having an axial groove formed next to at least certain of said stop faces to permit axial movement of said key relative to at least certain of the tumblers.

15. A key as recited in claim 14 wherein the key has an additional circumferential groove terminating in a circumferentially facing stop face uninterrupted by an axial groove whereby to provide an axially facing stop face for engaging an internal lug of a locking element for moving the locking element axially.

16. A key as recited in claim 15 in which said additional circumferential groove has a second axially facing stop face in the form of a cam for axially moving the lock element upon turning movement of the key.

17. A key as recited in claim 16 in which there is a further circumferential groove for receiving an orienting lug on the case of a lock, said groove being wider than the grooves for the lugs of the tumblers to prohibit turning movement of the key until the orienting lug is in register with its circum-ferential groove.