Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
  • E05B37/02—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
  • E05B37/025—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others in padlocks
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
  • E05B37/02—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
  • E05B37/0048—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with changeable combination
  • E05B37/0058—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with changeable combination by axial disengagement between hub and rim of tumbler discs or rings

Definitions

• Combination locks are used in commercial, residential, and institutional environments to provide lockable access to personal items and/or enclosures.
• the combination lock may be a separate device, such as a combination padlock, which maybe shackled to a door, bracket, cable, or other item to restrict access.
• the combination lock may be integral to an enclosure, such as a safe or a storage locker.
• Combination locks include single-dial and multiple-dial designs.
• a multiple- dial combination lock may be provided with a mechanism or arrangement for identifying the authorized combination code corresponding to an unlocking orientation of the dials.
• the code identifying mechanism may be movable between a code concealing condition and a code identifying condition, for example, through use of a key-operated mechanism and a proper key, to prevent unauthorized users from learning the combination code.
• rotation of each dial to its unlocking orientation provides a perceptible indication that the unlocking orientation has been reached.
• a code identifying combination lock includes a lock body, a shackle having a long leg and a short leg, and a plurality of dials at least partially disposed within the lock body.
• the lock includes a means for securing the short leg of the shackle in the lock body, and a means for releasing the short leg of the shackle from the lock body when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation.
• the lock further includes a means for selectively providing a perceptible indication when any one of the plurality of dials is rotated to an unlocked orientation.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination lock
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the combination lock of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a front cross sectional view of the combination lock of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of the combination lock of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal lock components of the combination lock of Figure 1;
• Figure 6 is a side view of the internal lock components of the combination lock of Figure 1;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the dial assembly and code change mechanism of the combination lock of Figure 1;
• Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of another combination lock
• Figure 9 is a front cross sectional view of the combination lock of Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the internal lock components of the combination lock of Figure 8.
• Figure 1 IA is a front perspective view of the locking arrangement of the combination lock of Figure 8, shown in a code identifying condition;
• Figure 1 IB is an exploded view of the locking arrangement of Figure 1 IA;
• Figure 12 is a side perspective view of the internal lock components of the combination lock of Figure 8.
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of the dial assembly and code change mechanism of the combination lock of Figure 8.
• the present application relates to combination lock arrangements that may be used with many different types of locks, such as, for example, combination padlocks, safe locks, and integral locks for lockers, mailboxes, storage sheds, or other such structures and enclosures. While the embodiments described in the present application refer to a multiple- dial combination padlock, the inventive aspects described herein may be applied to any type of lock incorporating any number of combination dials.
• This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as recited in the claims is broader than and unlimited by the described embodiments, and the terms used have their full ordinary meaning.
• a multiple-dial combination lock utilizing a mechanical locking mechanism, such as, for example, a shackle lockably engaged by one or more locking members (for example, ball bearings), may be provided with a code identifying arrangement that allows an authorized user or administrator to ascertain the combination code for the lock.
• a code identifying arrangement that allows an authorized user or administrator to ascertain the combination code for the lock.
• the code identifying arrangement may be configured to provide many different types of perceptible indications of the unlocking orientation, including, for example, audible indicators (such as a click or beep), visual indicators (such as a light), or tactile indicators (such as a resistance to rotation or impeded rotation in one or both directions).
• audible indicators such as a click or beep
• visual indicators such as a light
• tactile indicators such as a resistance to rotation or impeded rotation in one or both directions.
• Figures 1-7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a multiple-dial combination padlock 100 having a key operated code identifying arrangement.
• the exemplary padlock 100 includes a lock body 110 configured to retain a shackle 120, and a series of wheels 145, partially exposed through openings 115 in the lock body 110 to allow user rotation of the wheels 145.
• the exemplary lock body 110 as shown in the exploded view of Figure 2, includes a housing 111, top plate 112, outer casing 113, and wedge plate 114, which define cavities within the lock body for accommodating the internal components of the lock 100.
• the exemplary lock 100 includes a locking mechanism, discussed in greater detail below, that releases the shackle 120 from a locked condition when each of the wheels 145 is rotated to an unlocking orientation. While the illustrated wheels 145 include number markings to identify the rotational orientation of each wheel, any types of markings may be used (including, for example, letters, pictures, and colors). While many different locking mechanisms may be employed, in the illustrated embodiment, the shackle 120 is secured in a locked condition within the lock body 110 by a blocker or blocking member 130, which forces locking members 135 into engagement with corresponding notches 125 (as shown in Figure 3) in the shackle 120 when the blocker 130 is in an extended or locked condition, thereby preventing axial movement of the shackle 120.
• a blocker or blocking member 130 which forces locking members 135 into engagement with corresponding notches 125 (as shown in Figure 3) in the shackle 120 when the blocker 130 is in an extended or locked condition, thereby preventing axial movement of the shackle 120
• a dial assembly 140 is disposed within the lock body 110 of the exemplary lock 100, and includes a series of wheels 145 and hubs 143 rotatable about a post 142. Each of the wheels 145 engages a corresponding hub 143 on its inner diameter (for example, using interlocking gear teeth, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 12), such that each of the wheels 145 engages with one of the hubs 143 to rotate together as a series of dials.
• the lock 100 may further include a spring detent plate 147 (see Figures 2 and 6) to hold the wheels 145 in place in one of several set positions (for example, the numbered "0" through “9” positions on a conventional lock dial) when the wheels are not being manually rotated by a user.
• Each of the hubs 143 includes an unlocking feature, such as, for example, a recess 144 (shown in Figure 4), disposed on an outer periphery of the hub 143.
• an unlocking feature such as, for example, a recess 144 (shown in Figure 4), disposed on an outer periphery of the hub 143.
• Other types of unlocking features may be utilized, including, for example, notches, ramps, or projections.
• a narrow end portion 137 of the blocker 130 axially aligns with the locking members 135, allowing the locking members 135 to disengage from the shackle notches 125, thereby allowing the shackle 120 to be axially extended from the lock body 110 to disengage the short leg 122 of the shackle 120 from the lock body 110.
• a biasing spring 136 may be disposed between the blocker 130 and the housing 111 to bias the blocker 130 toward the locked condition, such that the shackle 120 must be manually pulled by the user to force the locking members 135 inward and the blocker 130 downward against the force of the spring 136.
• a shackle pin 127 biased by springs 128 engages a groove 124 near the end of the long leg 121 to prevent the long leg 121 from disengaging from the lock body 110.
• the upper edge of the groove 124 may be tapered to allow the pin 127 to be forced (against springs 128) out of the groove 124 when the shackle is returned to the locked condition.
• a chamfer may also be provided on a bottom surface of the shackle 120 to permit installation of the shackle after the shackle pin 127 has been installed. This may allow for installation of the shackle 120 at the end of the assembly process, which may make it easier and more efficient to provide locks having different size, shape, or material shackles.
• a code identifying or dial engaging mechanism may be included in the lock and movable between a code concealing (or dial disengaged) position and a code identifying (or dial engaging) position.
• the dial engaging mechanism In the code identifying position, the dial engaging mechanism is positioned to independently engage each of the dials, such that a perceptible indication is provided when each of the dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation.
• the dial engagement mechanism may be provided with a series of resilient pins, tabs, or other such components configured to move independent of each other.
• the code identifying mechanism includes a spring plate 150 having resilient tabs 154 that align with and correspond to each of the hubs 143.
• the spring plate 150 When the spring plate 150 is moved to a code identifying or dial engaging position, the tabs 154 flex against the outer peripheries of the hubs 143.
• the corresponding flexed tab 154 snaps into engagement with the recess 144 to provide an indication that the unlocking orientation has been reached.
• the recess (or other such unlocking feature) 144 and the tab (or other such dial engaging feature) 154 may be configured to provide stopping engagement or impeded movement of the dial in one or both rotational directions.
• rotation of the wheel 145 is impeded in the direction identified by arrow A. Therefore, to identify the proper combination code, each wheel 145 may be rotated in the direction A until rotation is impeded.
• a dial engaging member such as a spring plate
• the spring plate 150 is positioned between the blocker 130 and the dial assembly 140, such that movement of the blocker 130 to the unlocking condition moves the spring plate tabs 154 into engagement with the recesses 144, regardless of whether the spring plate 150 is in the dial disengaged position or the dial engaging position.
• dial contacting portions of the dial engaging member may be provided in some other orientation for engagement with the unlocking features.
• a set of dials may be provided with a first set of unlocking features for engaging the locking mechanism (such as a blocker) and a second set of unlocking features for engaging the dial engaging member (such as a spring plate), where alignment of the first set of unlocking features with the locking mechanism corresponds with alignment of the second set of unlocking features with the dial engaging member, for identification of the combination code when the dial engaging member is in the code identifying position.
• a key-operated pin tumbler cylinder 160 extends from a side of the lock body 110, and is operable (with a proper key) to move the spring plate 150 into the dial engaging position.
• an inner end of the cylinder 160 engages a disc-shaped cam 170, which is rotatable to pivot (via pin 173) a drive arm 180 connected with the spring plate 150 by pin 185 for movement of the spring plate 150.
• the drive arm 180 and spring pin 150 need only move a short distance for movement from the dial disengaged position to the dial engaging position and the convention key cylinder rotates approximately 90° with a proper key
• the drive arm 180 may be provided with an extended recess or slot 183 (see Figure 6), such that 90° rotation of the cam 170 results in reduced rotation (for example, approximately 15°) of the drive arm 180.
• the lock 100 may be configured to use a conventional key cylinder, consistent with a door key cylinder, such that an authorized user may use his or her house key to identify the combination code on the combination lock.
• a code identifying mechanism for a combination lock includes a series of independent dial engaging members that may be moved into spring loaded engagement with the corresponding dials when the code identifying mechanism is in the code identifying condition.
• the spring loaded engagement each dial engaging member with a corresponding dial results in a perceptible indication (e.g., impeded rotation) when the dial engaging member aligns with an unlocking feature (e.g., a recess) on the dial.
• Figures 8-13 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a multiple-dial combination padlock 200 having a code identifying mechanism that utilizes a series of dial engaging members 234 (e.g., pins)configured to engage corresponding recesses 244 on the dials 241 when the code identifying mechanism is in the code identifying condition and any one of the dials 241 is in the unlocking orientation.
• the exemplary padlock 200 includes a lock body 210 configured to retain a shackle 220, and a series of dials 241, partially exposed through openings 215 in the lock body 210 to allow user rotation of the dials 241.
• the exemplary lock body 210 includes housing portions 211a and 21 Ib, top plate 212, outer casing 213, and wedge plate 214, which define cavities within the lock body for accommodating the internal components of the lock 200.
• the exemplary lock 200 includes a locking mechanism consistent with the locking mechanism of the combination lock 100 of Figures 1-7, as described above, that releases the shackle 220 from a locked condition when each of the dials 241 is rotated to an unlocking orientation.
• Each of the hubs 243 includes an unlocking feature, such as, for example, a recess 244 (shown in Figures 10 and 13), disposed on an outer periphery of the hub 243.
• Other types of unlocking features maybe utilized, including, for example, notches, ramps, or projections.
• the blocking member 230 may include (or may be part of a blocker assembly including) dial engaging members 234 configured to engage the recesses 244 to unlock the lock. When the recesses 244 are aligned with the dial engaging members 234, the exemplary blocking member 230 becomes axially movable from the extended or locked condition to the retracted or unlocked condition, in which the dial engaging members 234 are received in engagement with the recesses 244.
• a narrow end portion 237 of the blocking member 230 axially aligns with the locking members 235, allowing the locking members 235 to disengage from the shackle notches 225, thereby allowing the shackle 220 to be axially pulled from the lock body 210 to disengage the short leg 222 of the shackle 220 from the lock body 210.
• a code identifying mechanism may provide for independent engagement of each of the dials, such that a perceptible indication is provided when each of the dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation.
• the code identifying mechanism may be provided with a series of resilient pins, tabs, or other such components configured to move independent of each other and separate from a blocker assembly.
• portions of the blocker assembly (such as, for example, the dial engaging members) may be configured, when in the code identifying condition, to independently move and engage each of the dials to produce a perceptible indication when each dial is rotated to the unlocking orientation.
• the code identifying mechanism includes a slider or code identifying member 250 having a series of axially extending passages 251 (see Figure 5B) sized to receive the dial engaging members 234 therethrough.
• a series of cavities 253 are aligned with the passages 251 to retain spring members 254 associated with each of the dial engaging members 234.
• Each of the dial engaging members 234 includes a flange portion 238 (or other suitable structure) having an upper surface that engages an end of the spring member 254, and a lower surface that abuts the bottom of the cavity 253.
• each the dial engaging members 234 is moved into engagement with an outer periphery of the corresponding hub 243, and the spring members 254 are compressed to provide spring loaded engagement between the code identifying member 250 and the dial engaging members 234.
• the corresponding spring loaded dial engaging member 234 is forced into engagement with the recess 244 to provide an indication that the unlocking orientation has been reached.
• the recess (or other such unlocking feature) 244 and the dial engaging member 234 may be configured to provide stopping engagement or impeded movement of the dial in one or both rotational directions.
• rotation of the dial 241 is impeded. Therefore, to identify the proper combination code, after the code identifying member 250 is moved to the code identifying condition, each dial 241 is rotated until rotation is impeded.
• dial engaging member such as a axially movable pin
• the dial engaging members 234 are positioned between the blocking member 230 and the dial assembly 240, such that when the dial engaging members 234 are aligned with the recesses 244, the blocking member 230, code identifying member 250, and dial engaging members 234 may all be axially moved to the unlocking position, regardless of whether the code identifying member 250 is in the code identifying condition or the code concealing condition, ha other embodiments (not shown), dial contacting portions of the dial engaging members may be provided in some other orientation for engagement with the dials, and may function separately from the locking mechanism.
• a key-operated pin tumbler cylinder 260 extends from a side of the lock body 210, and is operable (with a proper key) to move the code identifying member 250 into the dial engaging position.
• the lock 200 may be configured to use a conventional key cylinder, consistent with a door key cylinder, such that an authorized user may use his or her house key to identify the combination code on the combination lock.
• an inner end of the key cylinder 260 engages a disc-shaped cam driver 270, which is rotatable to pivot (via pin 273 in slot 283) a camming lever 280 assembled with the blocking member 230 and partially disposed between the blocking member 230 and the code identifying member 250. Pivoting of the camming lever 280 forces the code identifying member 250 axially downward and away from the blocking member 230 into the code identifying condition, as shown in Figure 5 A.
• Springs 237 may be provided between a lower portion of the blocking member 230 and an upper portion of the code identifying member (see Figures 3 and 5B) to return the code identifying member 250 to the axially upper or code concealing condition when the key cylinder 260 is rotated back to the normal code concealing condition.
• a guiding pin 255 may be affixed to the code identifying member 250 for sliding movement through a corresponding opening 239 in the blocking member 230 (see Figure 5B), to maintain alignment of the code identifying member 250 with respect to the blocking member 230.
• a combination lock (such as, for example, the locks 100, 200 described herein), may additionally or alternatively be configured to allow an authorized user to change the combination code upon unlocking the lock.
• a code change member 190, 290 is disposed in the lock body 110, 210 and is accessible through an opening 119 (see Figure 1) in the bottom of the lock body 110, 210.
• the code change member 190, 290 includes a contoured surface 191, 291 that engages the post 142, 242. When the shackle 120, 220 is locked, the end of the long leg 121, 221 engages a stepped end 192, 292 of the code change member 190, 290 to prevent movement of the code change member (see Figure 4).
• the code change member 190, 290 may be rotated (for example, by a screwdriver inserted in a slot 194, 294 in the exposed end) such that the contoured surface 191, 291 axially pushes the post 142, 242 and hubs 143, 243, disengaging the hubs 143, 243 from the wheels 145, 245.
• the wheels 145, 245 may be rotated to a new authorized combination.
• the code change member 190, 290 may be returned to the original position, and a biasing spring 149, 249 returns the post 142, 242 and hubs 143, 243 to reengage the hubs 143, 243 with the wheels 145, 245 in the new orientation.
• a fastener or pin 105, 205 used to secure the outer casing 113, 213 to the housing 111, 211 may also retain the code change member 190, 290 at the base of the housing 111, 211.

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• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-06-19 AU AU2008265749A patent/AU2008265749B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-06-19 MX MX2009014205A patent/MX2009014205A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2008-06-19 CA CA2691439A patent/CA2691439C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-06-19 WO PCT/US2008/067439 patent/WO2008157663A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-06-19 CA CA2783204A patent/CA2783204C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-06-19 EP EP08771433.3A patent/EP2171182A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-06-20 TW TW097123170A patent/TWI373549B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

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