EP0246980B1 - Combination padlock - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a combination padlock according to the preamble of claim 1.

The padlocks conventionally include a body and a U-shaped handle, a first branch of which forms a pivot axis and the second branch of which, when the padlock is closed, is immobilized in a cell of the body, as well as a series of ferrules rotatably mounted around the pivot axis, making it possible to form the combination to open the padlock, or to jam it after closing the padlock.

The invention relates more specifically to combination padlocks in which the ferrules are mounted for rotation about the pivot axis formed by the first branch of the U, and each of which is coupled in rotation to a respective core provided, in an angular position. selected, an unlocking groove cooperating with a respective lug formed on this first branch.

In this way, by rotation of the ferrule-core assemblies to a predetermined position where all the unlocking grooves are in alignment with the respective lugs of the first branch, the latter is released in translation thus allowing the withdrawal of the second branch out of the cell and consequently the opening of the padlock.

To modify the combination, it is necessary to decouple the ferrules from the cores to place them in a different angular position, corresponding to another number in the combination. For this purpose, the padlocks of the aforementioned type (that is to say in which the ferrule-core assemblies are mounted coaxial with one of the branches of the handle) provide either for disassembly of the various elements of the padlock (which allows direct access to the cores), either a push-button system or the like to ensure the desired decoupling.

In the first case, the process appears difficult to implement for a poorly or not very skilful user, with the risk of poor reassembly of the parts, scattering of these during disassembly.

In the second case, the mechanical complexity of the padlock is increased, and it is necessary that the user has a pointed object, a key, ... to activate the unlocking mechanism, which still makes it quite bad convenient to use.

It has also been proposed, in FR-A 2 153 858, a combination padlock of the aforementioned type, corresponding to the preamble of claim 1, in which the change of combination is made, the padlock being opened, by depressing the handle against a spring placed at the bottom of the padlock body, which has the effect of pushing back all of the cores - which are all contiguous - and of decoupling these from the ferrules. However, this padlock is not very convenient to use and in addition its structure does not in any way allow the manufacture of a padlock from a monobloc body, machined in the mass: the padlock of this prior art must effect include an interior cavity to accommodate a number of organs, and further the fact that the sleeves are contiguous requires to realize the body in two parts.

However, in certain fields, in particular the miniature padlocks used for closing luggage and luxury leather goods, the one-piece body is imposed, both because of its obviously superior aesthetics (absence of rivets, attractive appearance of the piece in polished solid metal , ...) only for technical reasons, due to the difficulty of accommodating and assembling a large number of parts in a two-part body.

To remedy these drawbacks, the invention proposes a new combination padlock structure allowing a change of the combination which is both simple (absence of disassembly of the padlock and recourse to an external accessory) and safe (no risk of jamming the combination inadvertently when it was changed).

In addition, as will be seen, the structure of the invention allows without any difficulty the production of a padlock with a one-piece body, giving the latter an excellent external appearance from the point of view of aesthetics; nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to the padlock with one-piece body, and it remains possible to apply it to padlocks with body in two parts for a more economical embodiment (it will however be noted that, in the latter case, the cavity inside the body plays no role insofar as it does not house any functional element of the system).

Finally, as will be seen in the description, the system of the invention does not require any increase in the dimensions of the padlock, so that it is possible to make padlocks according to the invention having the same dimensions as conventional padlocks, even very small; in other words, the improvement of the invention does not in any way prevent the production of miniature padlocks such as those used for luggage and leather goods.

To this end, according to the invention, a padlock is provided according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the cores are mutually disjoint and by an elastic means disposed between each core and each ferrule, this elastic means urging, at rest, the core in a position of coupling to the ferrule, and being capable of being compressed under the effect of an axial pressure exerted on the first branch when the padlock is in the unlocked position and the handle to said selection position.

Preferably, means are also provided for preventing the modification of the combination in any pivoting position of the handle different from a predetermined selection position. Preferably, these means comprise a ring provided with a selection groove cooperating with an additional lug formed on the first branch. In the latter case, the ring is preferably also provided with a locking groove cooperating with the additional lug so as to allow the insertion of the handle when the latter is in the angular position corresponding to the closing of the padlock. .

Furthermore, advantageously each core comprises a positioning notch cooperating with the respective lug of the first branch and making it possible, when the padlock is in the unlocked position, to authorize insertion towards the selection position of the first branch only if the ferrule-core assemblies all remained aligned according to the combination allowing the opening of the padlock.

In addition, provision can be made for each core to have a locking lug cooperating with a groove in the body, so as to immobilize the core in rotation relative to the body when the handle is brought into the selection position.

In the latter case, and when the ring mentioned above is provided with a locking groove, the core locking groove formed in the body is advantageously extended by the locking groove, the latter having an outlet outside the body of the padlock so that, in the open position of the padlock and only in this position but with the ferrule-core assemblies which have not remained in alignment according to the combination which enabled the padlock to be opened, it is possible to thread by said outlet a needle or the like allowing, by probing and successive rotations of the ferrule-core assemblies, to find the alignment of the grooves and consequently to recognize said combination.

This feature ensures total security by allowing the user to find the combination he would have forgotten (provided of course that the padlock is in the open position), especially in the particular case where he has just modified the combination but wishes to check before closing the padlock, either because of the fear of improper handling, or following inadvertent interference of the ferrules just after changing the combination.

Finally, as indicated above, the body can advantageously be formed from a single piece machined in the mass and comprising a series of notches each housing a ferrule-core assembly at a distance from the assembly (s). adjacent ferrule-core.

As regards the elastic means of the combination of the invention, this can be in particular a spiral conical spring, an elastomer ring whose section allows crushing by the cores, or any other known elastic means.

• . les figures 1 et 1 a montrent en coupe, respectivement de face et de profil, la structure du cadenas selon l'invention, en position de fermeture ;
• . les figures 2 et 2a sont homologues des figures 1 et 1a, le cadenas étant en position déverouillée, mais avant rotation de l'anse ;
• . la figure 3 est homologue de la figure 2, après rotation de l'anse d'un quart de tour ;
• . la figure 3a est une vue de dessus illustrant précisément cette rotation de l'anse,
• . la figure 4 est homologue de la figure 3, après enfoncement de l'anse jusqu'à la position de sélection ;
• . la figure 5 correspond à la position de l'anse illustrée figure 3, à la différence que cette dernière est dans une autre position angulaire que celle illustrée figure 3a, pour autoriser l'introduction d'une aiguille permettant à l'utilisateur de retrouver la combinaison ;
• . la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 4 ;
• . la figure 7 est une vue de dessus, en coupe, d'une des viroles ;
• . la figure 8 est une vue de face du moyen élastique disposé entre chaque virole et chaque noyau ;
• . la figure 9 est une vue de dessous, suivant la ligne IX-IX de la figure 10, de l'un des noyaux ;
• . la figure 10 est une vue en coupe, suivant la ligne X-X des figures 9 et 11, de ce même noyau ;
• . la figure 11 est une vue de dessus, suivant la ligne XI-XI de la figure 10, de ce même noyau ;
• . la figure 12 illustre une variante de réalisation, dans laquelle les moyens élastiques sont constitués par des ressorts cylindriques placés à la périphérie des noyaux ;
• . la figure 13 illustre une autre variante de réalisation, dans laquelle les moyens élastiques sont constitués par une bague de matériau élastomère déformable.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below of an exemplary embodiment, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• . Figures 1 and 1a show in section, respectively from the front and in profile, the structure of the padlock according to the invention, in the closed position;
• . Figures 2 and 2a are homologous to Figures 1 and 1a, the padlock being in the unlocked position, but before rotation of the handle;
• . Figure 3 is homologous to Figure 2, after rotation of the handle by a quarter turn;
• . FIG. 3a is a top view illustrating precisely this rotation of the handle,
• . Figure 4 is homologous to Figure 3, after depression of the handle to the selection position;
• . FIG. 5 corresponds to the position of the handle illustrated in FIG. 3, with the difference that the latter is in another angular position than that illustrated in FIG. 3a, to authorize the introduction of a needle allowing the user to find the combination ;
• . Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 4;
• . Figure 7 is a top view, in section, of one of the ferrules;
• . Figure 8 is a front view of the elastic means disposed between each ferrule and each core;
• . Figure 9 is a bottom view, along the line IX-IX of Figure 10, of one of the cores;
• . Figure 10 is a sectional view along line XX of Figures 9 and 11, of the same core;
• . Figure 11 is a top view, along the line XI-XI of Figure 10, of the same core;
• . FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the elastic means consist of cylindrical springs placed on the periphery of the cores;
• . FIG. 13 illustrates another alternative embodiment, in which the elastic means consist of a ring of deformable elastomeric material.

In FIGS. 1 and 1 a, the padlock is shown in the closed position: it comprises a body 10, a handle 20, and a series of ferrules 30 on which are engraved numbers or other characters allowing the user to form the combination allowing the release of the handle.

Although the example described refers to a one-piece body machined in the mass, this manufacturing technique - although preferred because of its aesthetic advantages - is however not limiting; it would of course be possible to produce the same body in two separate pieces assembled together by riveting or other similar means.

This one-piece body 10 comprises a cell 11 allowing the locking of the handle of the padlock, as well as a series of notches 12 intended to accommodate the ferrules and defining between them thicknesses of material 13 keeping the different ferrules at a distance.

The handle 20, in the shape of a U, comprises a first branch 21 forming a pivot axis, and a second branch 22 which is received, in the locked locking position, in the socket 11. The branch 21 carries a plurality of lugs 23 in number equal to that of the ferrules, as well as an additional lug 24 whose role will be explained below. Each ferrule 30 comprises a plurality of peripheral housings 31 (FIG. 7) allowing the coupling with homologous reliefs 55 (FIGS. 10 and 11) of a core 50 housed inside the ferrule: in this way, and so conventional, there are as many possible coupling positions for each ferrule-core assembly as there are housings 31, each position corresponding to one of the digits of the combination his. The ferrule-core assemblies are held in the coupling position by the pressure exerted by an elastic means 40, such as a spring, so that, at rest, ferrules and cores are always coupled inseparably. This elastic means is for example a conical spiral spring, illustrated in isolation in FIG. 8.

The padlock is assembled by fitting ferrule-core-spring assemblies in the notches 12 then inserting the handle 20 (to allow the passage of the pins 23 and 24, a groove 14 is provided in the upper part, which is of course only necessary if the padlock is made with a one-piece body). Finally, the assembly is blocked by insertion of a ring 60 for changing the combination, the role of which will be explained below, and of a closure ring 16, for example forcibly pressed in, and which can be considered to be an integral part. of the one-piece body after its installation.

We will now describe the structure of the core, with reference to Figures 9 to 11: each core 50 comprises, in addition to the reliefs 55 mentioned above and allowing coupling with the ferrule, a single unlocking groove 51 formed over the entire height of the core , as well as locking notches 52 or "false notches" preventing the position of the groove 51 from being regained by simple probing. The core further comprises a selection notch 53 formed inside the core and over only part of its height, as well as a locking lug 54 formed at the outer periphery; the roles of this notch 53 and of this lug 54, which are used for the change of combination, will be explained below.

Returning now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that, in this figure, the ferrules have been turned to the position in which the particular combination is formed, so that (FIG. 1 a) the unlocking grooves 51 are all aligned with the respective pins 23, the branch 21 of the handle therefore being free in translation. As regards the additional lug 24, grooves 61 and 17 are provided, respectively in the rings 60 and 16, to allow precisely the desired translation.

Once this translation (arrow A) has taken place, the handle is in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a, the end of the second branch 22 passing from position X (FIG. 1) to position Y (FIG. 2), that is to say outside the locking socket 11. Furthermore (FIG. 2a) the lugs 23, due to the translation, will be released from the groove 51, allowing pivoting of the handle around its second branch 21; in the same way, the lower lug 24 is released from the groove 61. In addition, the upper lug 23 abuts against the one-piece body, which limits the translational travel of the handle.

If you then wish to change the combination, it is necessary to pivot the handle by a quarter turn to the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a (the arrow B in Figure 3a represents the pivoting from the initial position). In this position, the lugs 23 and 24 are no longer in front of the respective grooves 51 and 61, but on the contrary the lugs 23 are facing the selection notch 53 of each core, and the lug 24 is facing a selection groove 62 (separate from the locking groove 61, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and ia).

From this position, the user then pushes the handle (arrow C, fig. 4), the end of the branch 22 then passing from level Y to level Z (this level Z is generally a level intermediate between levels X and Y corresponding respectively to the locked position and to the unlocked position of the padlock.

Due to the shallow depth of the selection grooves 53, the core will be pushed down, against the pressure exerted by the spring 40, which will have the effect of decoupling the notches 31 of the ferrules from the reliefs 55 of the cores, and at this time the user can modify the position of the shell to obtain a new combination. By releasing the pressure on the handle, ferrules and cores will again be engaged under the action of the elastic means 40, thus returning to the situation corresponding to FIG. 3 (but with a different combination). To avoid any rotation of the cores (for example by friction drive with the ferrules) during the combination change operation, provision is made to immobilize in rotation the handle relative to the core and the core relative to the body: this effect, and as can be seen in the section of FIG. 6, the lugs 23 of the branch 21 of the handle engage in the respective selection notches 53 of the cores, and the locking lugs 54 of the cores come to engage in a homologous longitudinal groove 15 formed inside the opening of the body. In addition (Figure 4) the cooperation between the selection groove 62 and the lug 24 provides additional immobilization of the handle relative to the body.

In addition, these different means for immobilizing in relative rotation prevent any further depression of the handle in a position other than the position imposed for this purpose, that is to say with the ferrule-core assemblies in the position having enabled opening the padlock and with the handle exactly turned to the position illustrated in FIG. 3a: this avoids any accidental modification of the combination by a false maneuver.

Finally, in the event that the user has forgotten the combination of the padlock or, after having modified this combination, is no longer entirely sure of it, it remains possible to find the combination by probing, provided of course that the padlock is not in the closed position. This possibility is illustrated in FIG. 5: it suffices to drive in a pin or the like 70 by the opening of the groove 17 in the lower part of the body, then in the locking groove 61; at this time, the ferrules are rotated so as to align the unlocking grooves 51 of each core with the needle 70, the full depression of the latter then indicating that the correct combination is displayed.

As can be seen by observing Figure 1a, such an operation is impossible with the ca denas in the closed position, since the additional lug 24 obstructs the grooves 17 and 61, thus preventing the penetration of a needle through the outlet of the groove 17.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate variants of the elastic means, which can be used in place of the conical spiral spring shown in Figure 8: in Figure 12 we used, for each ferrule-core assembly, a plurality of small cylindrical springs arranged at the periphery of the core, and in FIG. 13, the springs have been replaced by a ring made of elastomeric material, the cross section of which (for example cruciform, as illustrated in FIG. 13) allows a certain elastic crushing, with a stroke comparable to that obtained with springs.

Claims (10)

1. A combination padlock comprising a body (10) and a hasp (20) a first branch (21) of which forms a pivoting axis, and the second branch (22) of which, when the padlock is closed, is immobilized in a recess (11) in the body, the padlock also comprising a series of ferrules (30) which are mounted for rotation around said axis in respective notches (12) in the body and each of which is coupled in rotation to a respective core (50) provided in a selected angular position, with an unlocking groove (51) cooperating with a respective pin (23) formed on the first branch, so that by the rotation of the ferrule-and-core assemblies into a predetermined position in which all the unlocking grooves are in alignment with the respective pins, the first branch is released in translation, thus allowing the withdrawal of the second branch from the recess and therefore the opening of the padlock, and so that when the padlock is in the unlocked position, the hasp can be inserted as far as a selection position allowing the ferrules and cores to be uncoupled, and thus enabling the combination to be changed by relative rotation of the ferrules in relation to the cores, characterized in that the cores (50) are disjunct from one another and a resilient means (40) is disposed between each core and each ferrule, the resilient means, in the inoperative condition, urging the core into a coupling position with the ferrule and being capable of being compressed by an axial pressure exerted on the first branch when the padlock is in the unlocked position and the hasp is inserted as far as said selected position.

2. A padlock according to Claim 1, wherein means are provided for preventing a combination from being changed in any pivoting position of the hasp which differs from a predetermined selection position.

3. A padlock according to Claim 2, wherein said means comprises a ring (60) provided with a selection groove (62) cooperating with a supplementary pin (24) formed on the first branch.

4. A padlock according to Claim 3, wherein the ring (60) is also formed with a locking grave (61) which cooperates with the supplementary pin (24) in a manner which permits the hasp to be inserted when it is in the angular position corresponding to the closure of the padlock.

5. A padlock according to Claim 2, wherein each core comprises, positioning notch cooperating with the respective pin (23) of the first branch and allowing, when the padlock is in the unlocked position, the first branch to be inserted in the direction of the selection position only if the ferrule-and-core assemblies have all remained aligned in accordance with the combination allowing the opening of the padlock.

6. A padlock according to Claim 2, wherein each core comprises a locking pin (54) cooperating with a groove (15) in the body in a manner so as to immobilize the core in rotation in relation to the body when the hasp is moved into the selection position.

7. A padlock according to Claims 4 and 6, taken in combination, wherein the groove (15) for locking the cores with which the body is formed is continued by the locking groove (61), which has an outlet (17) to the outside of the body of the padlock, so that in the open position of the padlock, and solely in that position, but having the ferrule-and-core assemblies which have not remained in alignment in accordance with the combination which has enabled the padlock to be opened, it is possible to thread a needle or the like through said outlet (17), so as to enable, by feel and successive rotations of the ferrule-and-core assemblies, the alignment of the grooves to be rediscovered and therefore said combination to be recognized.

8. A padlock according to Claim 1, wherein the body is formed as a unitary member machined from the whole and comprising a series of notches (12) each accommodating a ferrule-and-core assembly at a distance from the or each adjacent ferrule-and-core assembly.

9. A padlock according to Claim 1, wherein the resilient means (40) is a spiral conical spring.

10. A padlock according to Claim 1, wherein the resilient means (40) is an elastomeric ring.

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