GB549178A - Improvements in or relating to combination locks - Google Patents

Abstract

549,178. Combination locks. STEVENS, W. W. June 23, 1941, No. 7857. [Class 44] A combination lock comprises a rotatable and slidable locking spindle 13 sliding movement of which to release position is prevented unless longitudinal slots 3, 7, 11 in co-axial cylindrical sleeves 1, 5, 9 are aligned with radial pins or projections 14a, 14b carried by the spindle. Figs. 2, 3 show the invention applied to a padlock having a slidable shackle 16 secured to a channel-section carried member 19a provided with a keyhole-shaped aperture 21. Figs. 5, 8 show the parts of the locking mechanism separated. Sleeves 5, 9 are rotatably held in recesses in opposite walls of the casing by rings 12a, 25 respectively overlying the flanges 6, 10. ring 25 also having indicia, such as numerals and letters to facilitate correct setting. The sleeves have terminal projections 8, 12 the latter being of less circumferential extent than the former. Sleeve 1 is fixed within sleeve 9, by its flange 2. The spindle has an enlarged portion 15 adapted to fit the larger end of the keyhole slot '21, 'and a reduced shank slidable and rotatable within fixed sleeve 1 and of diameter which allows it to pass into the narrow end of slot 21. The spindle carries a knob 18 with a skirt hiding pin 14a and the outer ends of sleeves 1, 9 and with a pointer 19 moving over the indicia on plate 25. When shackle 16 is pushed in against ejecting action of a spring 17, the part 15 automatically snaps into slot 21 under action of a spring 24. To effect release knob 18 is first rotated in one direction to rotate sleeves 5, 9 by the pins 14a, 14b engaging projections 12, 8 to bring sleeve 9 to correct position, and is then rotated in opposite direction to set sleeve 5, this rotation being insufficient to disturb sleeve 9. The knob is then reversely rotated to bring the pins 14a, 14b into registration with the now aligned slots 7, 3, 11 and pushed in, thus removing part 15 from slot 21 and allowing spring 17 to eject shackle 16. When the shackle is returned to locking position the knob is operated to disalign slots 7, 3, 11. The application to a cabinet lock is described in which the shackle is replaced by a sliding bolt surrounded by spring 17, which thus retracts the bolt, plate 19a having a pin projecting through a slot in the casing whereby the bolt may be shot by hand. In a further application to a cycle lock spring 17 and plate 19a are omitted and slot 21 is of dumb-bell shape and formed in the bolt, which is of flat form, the tail of the bolt projecting from the casing and being upturned to act as a finger piece by which the bolt is moved by hand in both directions. By the dumb-bell form of slot the bolt is locked in each of its extreme positions. The casing has a suitable external clamp by which it can be secured to the cycle frame.