GB201957A - Improvements in or relating to combination locks - Google Patents

Abstract

201,957. Rule, W. C., and Atlee, C. E March 9, 1922. Locks, permutation; padlocks.-In a permutation lock of the type in which a bolt carrying projections is locked by notched rings separated by bushes, the adjustable outer marked rings on the notched locking-rings are separated by non- rotatable washers carried by the bushes, and the projections in the bolts engage the notches in both the bushes and the locking-rings in its unlocking position. As applied to a padlock, the shackle leg 3 is locked by the slidable bolt 4 having projection 5 engaged, when locked, by the notched rings 7 spaced apart by notched bushes 6, the rings 7 and bushes 6 being rotatably mounted on the bolt. The rings 7 have one notch 16 for the passage of the corresponding projection 5 on the bolt when in the position for releasing, and peripheral notches engaged by the lugs 15 to position adjustably the outer rings 8, these carrying the marks by which the rings are set to align the notches 16 with the projections 5. The bushes 6 carry washers 9 for spacing the marked rings 8. When the rings 7 are set to allow the projections 5 on the bolt to pass through the notches 16, the bolt 4 can be withdrawn from the notch 17 in the shackle leg, allowing the shackle to be released. The bolt projections 5 then engage both the notches 16 in the rings 7 and the notches in the bushes 6, preventing their rotation, the bolt being prevented from rotating and being limited in its sliding movement, by the pin 10 engaging on notch 11. The bushes 6 and rings 7 are normally prevented from moving endwise by the legs 3 of the shackle, and the end bushes are prevented from rotating by lugs at each end of the bolt as shown in Fig. 1. To change the combination, the shackle leg 3 is withdrawn to the limit allowed by the groove 12 and pin 13 and turned through 180‹ to bring an enlarged notch 18 opposite the bushes, which can then be pushed in from the opposite end by a key shaped as shown in Fig. 7, together with the bolt. The rings 7 are then moved out of engagement with the marked rings 8 as shown in Fig. 5, and are held against rotation by the projection on the bolt. The rings 8 can then be turned to the new combination, and the rings 7 re-engaged by turning the shackle back through 180‹, the curved surface of which thrusts out the rings, bushes, and bolt to normal unlocking position. In the modification shown in Fig. 8, or member 21, with ends 30 half cut away to lock or release the shackle, has to be turned 180‹ to permit endwise movement of the bushes. The member 21, in the position shown, locks the shackle legs by the engagement of the half-round ends 30 in recesses in the legs, the member 21 being locked against turning by the bolt 24 engaging a flat 31. To release the shackle, the rings 26 are set and the bolt 24 withdrawn from the flat 31, and the member 21 rotated through 90‹. When the shackle is lifted, the member 21 may be rotated through a further 90‹, bringing the cut-away part 35 opposite the bushes, which can then be moved endwise for changing the combination. The shackle leg 23 is provided with a notch 29 to permit this second turn of the member 21. Further, the member which prevents or permits the necessary movement of the bushes for changing combination may be a member which is released or locked by the shackle. To prevent accidental rotary movement of the bushes, they are sprung into the casing.