GB2108567A - Combination lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination lock which includes a slide spindle (D) on which spindle sleeves (L) are rotatable by number-rings (R) mounted on and keyed to respective spindle sleeves. When all the number-rings (R), and therefore their associated spindle sleeves (L), are rotated on the slide spindle (D) to correspond to the predetermined set of combination numbers, the spindle sleeves free the slide spindle for axial movement from a locked to an unlocked position. This axial movement is effected by manually sliding a pushbutton (G), connected to the slide spindle, in the axial direction of the latter. The pushbutton (G) has a projection which is guided in an L shaped slot in the face panel (C) of the lock, and slidably cooperates with an inclined slot in a drive plate (J) connected to the slide spindle. When the combination is to be changed, movement of the pushbutton in a direction perpendicular to the first mentioned axial direction axially displaces the spindle sleeves (L) relative to, and uncouples them from, their respective number-rings (R). A detector for ascertaining a forgotten combination is desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Combination lock This invention is concerned with combination locks, and particularly locks which are attached, or intended to be attached, to cases or bags, such as attache cases, suitcases or the like.

Heretofore, the combination numbers of a conventional combination lock have been predetermineable from the reverse side of the lock, thus rendering the lock costly to manufacture and inconvenient to use. Moreover, should a user forget the combination numbers, he has to check via a viewing aperture disposed in the bottom of the lock housing.

However, since this viewing aperture is located inside the case at the position where the lock is attached, this makes checking difficult.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination lock which uses the same actuating member or pushbutton for unlocking the lock and changing the combination, or predetermining the combination numbers or other characters or symbols -of the lock.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination lock in which the predetermined combination numbers, etc., can be easily checked.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination lock having a relatively simple structure, and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a combination lock embodying the invention, with the hasp in its locked position; Figure 2 is a front view of the same; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the face panel; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I-I of Fig. 1; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Il-Il of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a side view of the manual actuating member or pushbutton; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drive plate; Figure 8 shows two different perspectve views of the locking plate; Figure 9 shows a front view and a side view of one of the spindle sleeves; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the lining sheet;; Figure ii is a perspective view of the slide spindle; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the stop plate.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a combination lock A and an associated hasp B. The combination lock A includes a face plate or panel C on which a pushbutton G is slidably mounted, the pushbutton being guided by a generally L-shaped slot 20 (Fig.

3) in the face panel. The face panel C also has a slot 38 (Fig. 3) for receiving the locking element i.e. a staple or apertured tongue, of the hasp B, and within the slot 38 are two notches 1 9 for enabling a housing E (Fig. 2) to be secured to the face panel C. Locking and unlocking of the hasp is effected by transverse displacement of a slide spindle D (Fig. 2). The face panel C has a row of slots 40 through which the peripheries of associated rotatable dials or number-rings R project.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lock also includes, mounted within the housing E, a bias spring F for the slide spindle D, and a locking plate H coupled to and displaceable transversely with the slide spindle D, the locking plate H having a locking tang which is releasably cooperable with the staple or tongue of the hasp B. The number-rings R are mounted on respective spindle sleeves L which are, in turn, mounted on the slide spindle D. The pushbutton G is formed with a projection 49 which slidably engages in the L-shaped slot 20 in the face panel C, and cooperates with a drive plate J which, in turn, is connected to the slide spindle D. A stop plate K is located in a recess in the housing E, and cooperates with the number-rings R and spindle sleeves L. A blanking element or lining sheet M is carried by, and movable longitudinally relative to, the slide spindle D.

Pushbutton G is slidably guided along an Lshaped path by virtue of the cooperation between the slot 20 and its projection 49. As will be described in detail later, in the locked condition of the lock, the pushbutton will be positioned with its projection 49 located at the intersection of the limbs of the L-shaped slot 20; in the unlocked condition the projection will be located at the right hand end of the base limb of the slot 20 as viewed in Fig.

3; and the condition for predetermining or changing the combination numbers corresponds to the location of the projection at the upper end of the upright limb of the slot 20.

The slide spindle D, as shown in detail in Fig. 11, has a flat-bottomed, longitudinally extending groove 23, spindle necks or grooves 28, a projection or shoulder 33 towards its right hand end as viewed, having a diameter slightly larger than that of the lands of the spindle D, between the necks 28, and two flat end surfaces at its right hand end to fit into and cooperate with, a correspondingly shaped bearing opening in the housing, so that spindle D can only slide and not rotate. A spindle neck or groove 50 is provided adjacent the shoulder 33, having a diameter smaller than a slot or cavity 47 in the drive plate J (Fig. 7). Grooves 39 are provided in each end of the slide spindle D.At the left hand end of the slide spindle D are two noses 37 which, when the left hand end of the spindle is aligned with a correspondingly shaped aperture 72 (Fig. 8) in the locking plate H, inserted and turned, engage with the locking plate H, thereby to prevent the locking plate from sliding off the spindle. The diameter of the spindle neck 51 with which the locking plate H cooperates is slightly smaller than that of the aperture 72 in the locking plate H.

Each of the spindle sleeves L, as shown in detail in Fig. 9, has an inner circular part provided with an inward projection 25, two outwardly projection noses 24, and a notch 108 which interrupts an annular projection or shoulder 21 at one axial end of the sleeve.

The spindle sleeves L have an inner diameter larger than that of the lands of the slide spindle D, and the projections 25 locate in the flat groove 23 in slide spindle D.

The outer diameter of the spindle sleeves L is slightly smaller than that of an inner key seat 26 of the number-rings R, 22.

When spindle sleeves L are mounted on the slide spindle D, the noses 24 adjacent to the shoulder 21 on each sleeve L will align with the inner key seat 26 of a respective numberring 22. As the shoulder 21 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the inner key seat 26, when the spingle sleeve L slides into its number-ring, the noses 24 adjacent to the shoulder 21 will enter, and be fixed relative to, the inner key seat 26 of that number-ring 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the spindle sleeves L will be slidable to the left or right on the slide spindle D, i.e. axially on the latter, when their inward projections 25 are aligned with the flat groove 23 of the slide spindle D, or will be rotatable when the projections 25 are aligned with respective spindle necks or circumferential grooves 28 of the slide spindle D.

Spindle sleeves L are each slidable within their respective number-ring 22 when the noses 24 are aligned with the inner key seat 26 as shown in Fig. 5, until the noses 24 have been inserted fully into the inner key seat 26.

Each number-ring 22 has on its periphery ten equally spaced portions embedded, engraved or otherwise formed with numerals 0-9, respectively, and is indented with ten notches or keyways in its inner key seat 26.

The inner diameter of the number-rings 22 is larger than that of the spindle sleeves L and smaller than that of the shoulders 21. Inner key seats 26 are slightly larger than the noses 24 of the spindle sleeves L.

The drive plate J, as shown in detail in Fig.

7, is generally L-shaped, and in its operative position, the limb having the slot 46 lies beneath and generally parallel to the face panel as shown in Fig. 4. In this position, the slot 46 is inclined or slanted relative to the vertical limb of the slot 20 as viewed in Fig.

3, i.e. it slants relative to a line normal to the axis of the slide spindle D. The projection 49 of the pushbutton G is slidably engaged in both slots 46 and 20, so that the movement of the drive plate J is controlled by the pushbutton. As previously explained, the cavity or slot 47 in the other limb of the drive plate J is slightly wider than the diameter of the spindle neck 50 of slide spindle D, so that the drive plate J can be engaged with the spindle neck 50 of the slide spindle D and fixed axially relative therein.

Pushbutton G has a rectangular appearance on its top or exposed side, and the projection 49 depends from its underside. The width of the projection is less than that of the L-shaped slot 20 in the face panel so that the pushbutton can be mounted therein, and the portion of the projection which slides in the slot 20 is rectangular in cross-section so that the projection, and therefore the pushbutton, is prevented from rotating relative to the slot 20.

As shown in Fig. 6, the projection 49, intermediate its end 44, is provided with a necked, circular cross-section portion 43 which engages and slides in the slanted slot 46. Thus, movement of pushbutton G will displace the drive plate J and, in turn, will displace the slide spindle D coupled thereto.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the slide spindle D has an end portion or extension which contains a groove 39. The latter enables a lining sheet M to be mounted in the flat groove 23 and stopped or retained by the groove 39. This lining sheet M enables the forgotten combination numbers to be checked.

The lining sheet M, as shown in detail in Fig. 10, is provided with three projections 81 and a bent end. When lining sheet M is mounted on slide spindle D, the bent end is engaged within the groove 39, and the projections are located respectively between pairs of adjacent spindle necks.

Locking plate H, as shown in detail in Fig.

8, is provided with a circular opening 72 having two notches in order to receive and accomodate the left hand end of the slide spindle.

The stop plate K is mounted in a recess in the bottom of the housing E as viewed in Fig.

4, and, as also shown in Fig. 12, has three slots 101 for locating the number-rings, and three projections 102 for stopping the spindle sleeves L in their locked position.

The spring F (Fig. 4) serves to urge the spindle sleeves L to the right as viewed so as to fit tightly next to the number-rings 22 and locate axially relative to the shoulder 33 via the drive plate J, in order that no play will occur. In the normal rest position of the pushbutton G, the spring F retains the pushbutton with its projection 49 at the intersection of the limbs of the L-shaped slot 20, i.e.

in the position shown in Fig. 4. When, after the numer-ringss have been rotated (for example from their Figs. 4 and 5 positions) to the predetermined combination numbers to free the slide spindle D, the pushbutton G is manually pushed rightwardly from this rest position, the drive plate J will pull the slide spindle D, and therefore the locking plate H, to the right and, in turn, the locking plate H will release the hasp B and compress the spring F. When the pushbutton F is released, it will be returned on its original rest position by the spring F.

The operation of the lock will now be explained.

When the number-rings 22 are rotated to correspond to the predetermined combination numbers, the spindle sleeves L which are locked to the number-rings similarly rotate, and the projections 25 within the spindle sleeves L will align with the flat axial groove 23 in the slide spindle D. Thus, when the pushbutton G is pushed to the right, the slide spindle D will move axially to the right, thereby releasing the hasp B and unlocking the lock as previously explained. However, when the series of numbers on the numberrings appearing in the slots 40 (Fig. 3) does not correspond to the pre-set combination numbers, one or more of the projections 25 within the spindle sleeves L will be angularly displaced out of alignment with the axial groove 23, into the associated spindle necks 28 of the slide spindle, and will thus lock the slide spindle against axial movement from its locked position.

If a new set of combination numbers is to be set, the number-rings are firstly set to the existing predetermined combination, and the pushbutton is pushed to the right to unlock the lock as previously explained, i.e. to release the hasp B which will spring away from the face panel C, so that its locking staple or tongue will not obstruct the left hand end of the slide spindle D. The pushbutton is then released to return to its original rest position.

The pushbutton G is then moved upwardly as viewed in Fig. 3, causing the rectangular portion of the projection 49 to ride up the vertical limb of the slot 20 in the face panel C, and the circular portion 43 to ride up the slanted slot 46 in the drive plate J. Due to the inclination of the slot 46 relative to said vertical limb, this action will cause the drive plate J to be moved to be left from the position shown in Fig. 4. Since, in the originally set position of the number-rings, the grooves or notches 108 in the shoulders 21 of the spindle sleeves L are axially aligned with the projections 102 of the stop plate K, as a result of this leftward movement, the slide spindle, spindle sleeves, and locking plate will move together to the left, against the action of the spring.Thus, the noses 24 of the spindle sleeves L will be completely axially separated from the inner key seats 26 of their respective number-rings 22, and the stop plate projections 102 will engage in the spindle sleeve notches 108, locking the spindle sleeves against rotation. In this position, when the number-rings are rotated, the spindle sleeves L will remain unmoved, and thus a new set of combination number is set by this rotation of the number-rings. Then, the pushbutton is pushed downwardly to its original rest position, returning the slide spindle D to its Fig. 4 locked position, thus enabling the spring F to return the spindle sleeves L to their axial positions, disengaging the latter from the stop plate projections 102 and engaging the noses 24 of the latter, in new positions, in the inner key seats 26.The new set of combination numbers is thereby retained until deliberately re-set as just described.

In the lock-open position, (i.e. with the hasp B released so that the lock housing E is accessible from within the case to which the lock is attached), if the set of combination numbers is forgotton, the elongate indexing strip or lining sheet M is drawn slightly rightwardly in the axial groove 23 in the slide spindle, to bring the projections 81 of the lining sheet into alignment with the spindle necks 28. Thereafter, upward rotation of the number-rings is effected until stopped by engagement of the spindle sleeve projections 25 with the projections 81, and the projections 25 will then be located in the intersection of spindle necks 28 and groove 23. The numbers on the number-rings which then appear centrally in the slots 40 in the face panel C will then be the forgotten set of combination numbers, which are the preset numbers.The lining sheet M is then returned to its left-most position in which its bent end is located in the groove 39 in the slide spindle, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be appreciated that, with this arrangement, the combination cannot be ascertained unless the hasp B is released and the case is opened.

As described hereinbefore, the lock embodying this invention is simple in structure and relatively easy to use and manufacture.

Whilst the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, although the specifically de- scribed combination lock embodies three number-rings or dials, a different number of rings may be employed, and they may project and be visible through a corresponding number of slots 40, or through a common slot or window. Although, in the specific embodiment, each number-ring has 10 equally spaced portion provided with numerals 0 to 9, a different number of portions and/or numer als may be provided, or the numerals may be replced or supplemented by letters and/or other symbols or characters.

The portion of the pushbutton projection 49 which engages in the L-shaped slot 20 may be other than rectangular in cross-section, for example circular in cross-section, if, for example, the pushbutton G is circular instead of rectangular. Furthermore, the leftward movement of the slide spindle D to effect re-setting of the combination may be achieved by slanting or inclining the upright or vertical limb of the slot 20 instead, or in addition to the slot 46, relative to a line normal to the axis of the slide spindle.

The number of noses 24 and projections 25 on the spindle sleeves L may be changed, as may be the number of notches keyways or equivalent in the inner key seats 26 in the number- or character-bearings rings with which the noses 24 cooperate.

The way in which the slide spindle D is cooperable with the hasp B to lock the latter may be varied.

Whilst, in the illustrated embodiment, a single pushbutton is located on one face panel of the lock and is used to lock and unlock and lock, and to change the set combination of the lock, this is not essential. For example, different pushbuttons or other actuating members located on the same or different faces of the lock, may be employed to achieve the different functions. Furthermore, the invention broadly encompasses a combination lock arranged and adapted to perform the set combination change function, or the set combination recall function (for example by means of the element M), or both.

The housing E itself may be provided with slots and/or projections, or equivalent, corresponding to the slots 101 and projections 102 of the stop plate K, thus partially or totally eliminating the need for a separate stop plate.

Claims (14)

1. A combination lock, including a number of rotatable, character-bearing rings, dials or like elements, a slide spindle which is generally axially slidably displaceable between a locking position and an unlocking position, the slide spindle having a generally axially extending groove intersected by generally transversely or circumferentially extending grooves, the character-bearing elements being coupled to associated spindle sleeves for rotation therewith, the spindle sleeves being mounted on the slide spindle, and being cooperable with the generally axially extending groove in the slide spindle, when the character-bearing elements and spindle sleeves are rotated relative to the slide spindle to positions corresponding to a predetermined combination of characters, to free the slide spindle for sliding movement from its locking to its unlocking position, the spindle sleeves being cooperable with the generally transversely extending grooves, when the rotated positions of the character-bearing elements and spindle sleeves do not correspond to the predetermined combination, to prevent the slide spindle from sliding to its unlocked position, the lock further including actuating means operable, selectively, to displace the slide spindle, when freed, to its unlocked position, or to uncouple at least some of the character-bearing elements from their associated spindle sleeves to permit said predetermined combing tion of characters to be changed.

2. A combination lock as claimed in claim 1, including a housing in which the characterbearing elements, slide spindle and spindle sleeves are mounted, the housing including a wall formed by a face panel through which the character-bearing elements are accessible for manual rotation, the actuating means comprising a slidable push-button mounted on the face panel and having a projection cooperating with a generally L-shaped slot in the face panel so as to be constrained to slide along a generally L-shaped path, the path including a portion defined by one limb of the L which extends generally parallel to the axis of the slide spindle, along which the pushbutton is manually displaceable, when the slide spindle is freed, to displace the slide spindle to its unlocked position against the action of a return spring, the pushbutton being displaceable along the other path portion defined by the other limb of the L, when the slide spindle is freed, to uncouple the character-bearing elements from their associated spindle sleeves and permit the character-bearing elements to be rotated relative to their associated spindle sleeves whereby to change the predetermined combination.

3. A combination lock as claimed in claim 2, including a coupling member coupling the pushbutton projection to the slide spindle, the slide spindle, when freed, being slidable to a third position, beyond its locking position in a direction from its unlocking to its locking position, when the pushbutton is displaced along said other path portion, the slide spindle cooperating with the spindle sleeves during displacement to said third position to axially displace the spindle sleeves relative to the character-bearing elements to positions in which the spindle sleeves are temporarily rotationally uncoupled from their respective character-bearing elements, and temporarily cooperate with stops fixed relative to the housing to lock the spindle sleeves against rotation.

4. A combination lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupling member is a generally L-shaped drive plate having one limb connected to the slide spindle, for axial mouement therewith, the other limb lying in a plane generally parallel to the plane of move ment of the pushbutton and having a slot which is inclined relative to a line normal to the slide spindle axis and to that limb of the generally L-shaped slot in the face panel which is disposed generally normal to the spindle axis, the pushbutton projection projecting through the generally L-shaped face panel slot and slidably engaging in the inclined drive plate slot.

5. A combination lock as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the spindle sleeves are each provided with an inwardly directed projection which, when the associated character-bearing element is rotated to a position corresponding to the respective character of the predetermined combination, is aligned with and slidably engages in the axial groove in the slide spindle, and, when the associated characterbearing element is rotated from the latter position, is out of alignment with said axial groove and engages in an associated transverse groove, and wherein the spindle sleeves are.provided with at least one outwardly projecting nose or key which normally engages in a selected one of a plurality of internal notches or keyways in an inner key seat of its associated character-bearing element to releasably lock the character-bearing element and spindle sleeve in a mutually angularly adjusted position corresponding to the respective character of the pedetermined combination.

6. A combination lock as claimed in claim 5, wherein the return spring normally resiliently urges the spindle sleeves together and towards a shoulder on the slide spindle so as to axially position the spindle sleeves on the slide spindle, the inwardly directed projections of the spindle sleeves being aligned with their respective transverse grooves in the slide spindle when the spindle sleeves are so axially positioned by the shoulder.

7. A combination lock as claimed in any preceding claim, including means actuable to index the character-bearing elements, upon rotation thereof, in positions corresponding to the predetermined combination.

8. A combination lock as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indexing means comprises an elongate indexing element mounted in the generally axially extending groove in the slide spindle, and manually axially slidable within said groove from a normally inoperative position to an indexing position in which, upon rotation of the character-bearing elements, it cooperates with the spindle sleeves to stop rotation of the character-bearing elements in positions corresponding to the predetermined combination.

9. A combination lock as claimed in claim 8 in combination with 5 or 6, wherein the indexing element is provided with stop surfaces which, in said indexing position, obstruct the transverse grooves in the slide spindle at their intersection with the axial groove, and are cooperable with the inwardly directed projections within the spindle sleeves.

10. A combination lock comprising: a face panel having multiple slots in which rotatable, character-bearing rings are engaged, a slot for receiving a hasp to be locked and unlocked, and an L-shaped slot accommodating a pushbutton; spindle sleeves each having two outward noses and one inward projection; a slide spindle having a flat or straight groove, spindle necks and a projecting shoulder for locating the spindle sleeves which are slidable or rotatable on the slide spindle; a lining element having multiple projections and a bent or otherwise deformed end; a locking plate having a notched, generally circular opening which receives and fixes the slide spindle; the pushbutton having rectangular and circular cross-sectional projections on its underside; a drive plate having a slanting cavity or slot in one arm and a semi-circular cavity or slot in another arm;; a spring for compressing the spindle sleeves; each character-bearing ring having equally spaced portions around its outer periphery provided with respective characters, and having an inner periphery indented with notches for inner key seats; a stop plate having multiple slots and projections; and a housing fitted to the face panel;; wherein the circular and rectangular crosssectional projections of the pushbutton are movable, respectively, within the slanted cavity or slot of the drive plate and the L-shaped slot of the face panel, and rotation of the character-bearing rings is operable to set the relative positions of the spindle sleeves and slide spindle whereby, when the pushbutton is pushed, the drive plate will, in turn, be moved in one or other direction parallel to the slide spindle axis to unlock or lock the lock or to replace the previous set of combination characters by a new set.

11. A combination lock as claimed in claim 10, wherein in the opened lock position when the lining element is moved slightly rightwardly, the projections in the lining element will be moved over to the spindle necks position, whereafter rotation of the rings in one direction will be stopped when the projections of the spindle sleeves are located in the intersection of the flat groove and the spindle necks, and the predetermined set of combination characters of the lock will appear on the peripheral portions of the rings exposed through the multiple slots in the face panel.

1 2. A combination lock as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the unlocking and locking or changing of new combination characters positions are on the same face panel of the lock and controlled by a single pushbutton.

1 3. A combination lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

14. A case, bag or other closable container, fitted with one or more combination locks as claimed in any preceding claim.