IL24057A - Push-button operated combination locks - Google Patents

Description

IMPROVEMEHTS IK PUSH-BUTTON OPERATED COMBINATION LOCKS " This invention generally concerns locks and particularly push-button operated locks.

The particular lock structures concerned are those push-button combination locks operable by a set of keys or buttons and which is provided with a lock controlling device shiftable step by step, in one direction, by operation of the keys in a predetermined sequence and which, when the keys are not operated in sequence, will affect a reverse movement of said lock controlling device to prevent further operation thereof.

In particular, this type of combination lock structures includes lock controlling means having a pair of shiftable racks frictionally held in place side by side, each rack being provided with tines having cam surfaces at their free ends. The said cam surfaces are keyed in one direction whereby, when the keys or push buttons are actuated, levers associated with said keys engage the. cam surfaces of the tines to shift the racks. The keying is arranged whereby the cam surfaces of selected tines of the rack face in one direction and are aligned with like directed cam surfaces of the other rack whereby actuation of the levers against said aligned cam surfaces serve to move both racks conjointly. The remaining cam surfaces of all tines of both racks are arranged whereby actuation dr the levers there-against shift only one of the racks or the other, thereby to misalign the racks. In the last mentioned occurrence, the racks fail to move conjointly. Since the racks are misaligned the keyed cam surfaces also are misaligned. Hence, the racks cannot further be moved in their originally aligned side by side condition conjointly unless and until the racks are realigned. Each of the racks is provided with an opening to permit passage for a normally spring biased bolt member. These openings are1 arranged to be aligned so long as the racks are properly lined up with the keyed aligned cam surfaces. So long as the racks move concurrently by manipulation of the keys in the proper predetermined keyed sequence, the openings also move in aligned condition. After a predetermined number of steps, the openings are lined up with the spring bias bolt, releasing the bolt." The bolt normally bears against the imperforate portion of the facing rack surface. When the openings are shifted in aligned condition through the stepv by-step shifting of the racks concurrently, each step brings the aligned openings closer to the bolt until, at the last step, the bolt is permitted to pass through the aligned openings thereby releasing the latch to permit opening of the closure. Once the openings have become misaligned, regardless of how, or if, the racks are further shifted, the openings will remain misaligned and offer no passage to the bolt. Thus, unless the proper sequence for actuation of the keys is followed, the latch will remain in closed position. It is intended that ho further manipulation of the keys in any order may permit the openings in the racks to be realigned subsequent to misalignment thereof. At least two specific operational tasks are required to permit setting of the latch and resetting of the lock controlling means to a lock-set condition. These tasks involve withdrawal of the bolt from the thus aligned openings, should the lock controlling means be operated successfully, and resetting of the racks to their initial position, either subsequent to the successful operation of the lock controlling means or because of misalignment of the racks during the operation of the lock controlling means. Resetting of the racks generally must involve prior or simultaneous withdrawal of the bolt. .

In prior devices, separate resetting mechanisms and separate bolt withdrawal means generally were provided.

The necessity for providing such separate mechanisms was a prime factor in requiring large casings, increased cost and also substantially limited the versatility of the combination lock devices. In addition, prior rack structures were bulky and lock structures incorporating such racks often were too large for installation upon varied closures whereby to achieve many desired locking functions. Frequently these closure structures required substantial alterations so as to be capable of receiving lock structures of this type.

According to the invention, there is provided a button operated combination lock of the character described having a plurality of buttons requiring the consecutive depression of a chosen sequence of said buttons to effect the change of said lock from an initial locked condition to an open condition, and including a lock controlling device coupled to said buttons and shiftable step-by-step in one direction to pass a latch controlling bolt therethrough to release the latch but only upon depression of the proper sequence of said chosen buttons and wherein depression of said buttons in other but the predetermined sequence serves to disable the lock controlling device and means for resetting the lock controlling device to the initial locked condition comprising, scissors lever means operable on the lock-controlling device, bolt-withdrawal means cooperable. simultaneously with said scissors lever means to release said lock-controlling device for resetting and actuating means to operate simultaneously both the scissors lever means and said boIt-withdrawal means.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are characterized by like reference characters throughout the various Figures, Figure 1 is a reduced perspective view of the combination lock structure embodying the invention as installed upon a residential or commercial door with the latch secured.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, in the direction indicated and with the latch secured.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the com- bination reset and bolt withdrawal mechanism of the invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed view, in perspective, illustrating the means for operating the lock controlling means of the invention from the interior of the secured enclosure.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the lock structure similar to that of Figure 2 but with the novel resetting and bolt withdrawal mechanism operative to reset the racks and withdraw the bolt, some portions thereof being shown in elevation.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken along .the line 6-6 of Figure.2 and in the direction indicated, with some portions being shown in elevation.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6 and in the direction indicated.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic detailed view of the reset means of the invention.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the combination lock shown in Figu.re 1.

Figure 10 is a reduced elevational view of an automobile showing a modified form of the invention installed upon the door thereof.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the modified form shown in Figure 10 but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the lock structure shown in Figure 10 illustrating the mode of operation of the • modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 10 and 11.

Briefly the invention herein utilizes lever means in varying forms to perform the resetting and simultaneous bolt withdrawal operations in locks of the general character described. A preferred form of lever means contemplated b this invention includes the use of spring means to perform the desired advantageous functions An embodiment of the invention directed to a lock useful for resi-dential or commercial purposes, is illustrated in Figures 1-9 and comprises a combination of a scissors-operating wire spring and torsion spring means utilized with a wedge-like drive means simultaneously to reset means equivalent to the lock controlling m ;aris of the earlier devices and to effect simultaneous withdrawal of the latch release bar of a spring biased latch member so as to reset the lock, and the lock control means at the same time. In instances where a solid bolt is used in lieu of a spring latch, relatively simple hinged lever means can be used equally to advantage with the resulting lock rendered completely burglarproof. The invention further provides an improved rack structure which enables the lock of the invention to be manufactured for installation in standardized, commonly encountered, openings prefabricated in doors of the character concerned. The invention is concerned also with the use of flat springs as bolt release means, which flat springs permit secondary operations to be performed upon the successful manipulation of the lock controlling means, and further enables the lock of the invention to be modified for a number of different locking functions.

Although the use of spring means has been described in connection with the herein presented embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates the use of simple pivoted lever arms operable in a scissors movement to return the racks to their initial operational condition, and, likewise, considers as equivalent, the double torsion spring means utilized to withdraw the bolt and a hinged lever means adapted to be likewise seated in the actuating' or reset key and adapted to be buckled at the hinged connection thereof in the same manner as the buckling of the double torsion spring to be heareafter described, which action causes the bolt to be withdrawn from the racks to permit the same to be reset.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 through 9 illustrate a combination lock embodying the invention in a form intended for use as a door lock for residential and commercial purposes, and is designated generally by reference character 20 in Figure 1.

In Figure 2, the lock 20 is illustrated as installed within a suitable opening 12 of door 10 properly aligned with an enclosure 14 formed in door framing member 16 whereby to accommodate the latch 18 when the door is closed and locked. The lock 20 includes a housing 22 formed of a hollow outer body member 24 and a cover member 26 secured thereto by suitable fastening means such as conventional screws and the like. The outer body 24 and the cover member 26 are formed as a metal casting. ' A series of buttons or keys 28 of substantially rectangular configuration are mounted, individually, in rows for axial sliding movement in suitably configured passageways 30 formed in body 24 and opening to the outer face 32 thereof. Each key or button 28 is of hollow, cup like configuratio having an inner open face 25. The bottom wall 27 of the key 28 is provided with an interior seat 34 adapted to accommodate seatingly one end 36 of a helical compression spring 38. The opposite end 40 of spring 38 is arranged to bear upon one end 42 of torsion spring 44. The opposite end 46 of torsion spring 44 terminates in a tangential extension or arm 48 directed at approximately a right angle relative to the axis of spring 44. Spring 38 functions as a safety spring to prevent damage to the lock mechanism when arm 48 is forced against the racks 114 and 116 (to be described) and absorbs excess force imparted to the buttons 28.

Passageways 30 are defined interior of the body 24 by a pair of longitudinal walls 50 and a plurality of spaced transverse' walls 51 which together define chambers or compartments within the body 24. The pair of walls 50 are spaced one from the oth r to define a slot 52 therebetween. The pair of walls 50 are joined one to the other by integral portion 53 so that the slot 52 has a depth less than the length of the passageways 30. Each wall of the pair of walls 50 is provided also with a plurality of spaced slots 54 aligned with the like slots 54. and suitably disposed along the length of said walls 50 so that a pair of slots 54 communicate to each of the passageways 30. The slots 54 are deeper than the slot 52 so as to provide grooves 55 in portion 53. The respective arms 48 of the torsion spring 44 are accommodated for relative vertical movement within respective pairs of aligned slots 54.

The body 24 is provided with an enlarged passageway 56 closely adjacent one end thereof. Passageway 56 extends . clear through the body 24 and is of a rectangular cross section substantially greater than that of the individual passageways 30. A substantially larger key 58, also of conforming rectangular configuration, is adapted for axial sliding movement within said passageway 56. Each passageway, 30 and 56, is provided with cooperable stop means comprising an entrance flange 60 adapted to cooperate with similar flange 62 formed adjacent to the inner open face 25 of keys 28 and 58 respectively x^hereby to retain the keys within the body 24. When assembled, both keys 28 and 58 extend outwardly of the housing 22 and function as push buttons to operate the lock 10.

The end walls 64 of the body 24. are provided with notches 66 opening to the upper portions of the body 24 and aligned with the .slot 52 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The larger key 58 will .be referred to herein- At after as a reset key 58. The smaller keys 28, each provided with suitable number indicia on the outwardl facing surface of bottom walls 67 thereof, will be referred to hereinafter as number keys 28.

The cover member 26 is provided with outstanding guide rod members 70 integral therewith and spaced one from the other in rows, the number of guide rod members 70 equalling the number of keys 28. The guide rod members 70 are received within respective ones of the torsion springs 44. Each of the guide rod members 70 mounts a second helical compression spring 72. Each compression spring 72 is interposed between the cover 26 and the arm 48 of spring -44 where by to bias against ' said springs 44 and 38 respectively and thereby to cause the number keys to be returned to their normal outwardly extending positions relative to the housing 22 subsequent to actuation of said keys and to maintain the outwardly extending position of said keys 28. The cover member 26 also is provided with a laterall extending slot 74 aligned with slot 52. A pair of block formations 76 and 78 are provided on the cover 26 and are spaced inwardly from the edges of said cover 26.· Said block formations 76 and 78 are aligned and received within the larger passageway 56 of body 24. The block formations 76 and 78 are arranged respectively on opposite edges of slot .74 flush therewith.

A. cavity 80 is formed in block formation 78 opening toward the inner face 59 of reset key 58. Opposite walls 86 define said cavity 80 and are provided with a pair of aligned openings 84. A slot 88 is- formed in block formation 76 aligned with openings 84. The slot 88 extends from slot 74 inward of the block formation 76 in a direction normal to slot 74. A third slot 90 is provided in block formation 76 arranged in a plane normal to slot 88.. Slot 90 extends entirely through block formation 76. Slot 88 terminates at the juncture thereof with slot 90.

A spring biased latch operating mechanism is indicated generally by reference character 94 and has latch 18 arranged in operative relation therewith. The said mechanism 94 is secured to the cover, member 26 by means of suitable slot and key connections 93. The mechanism 94 has a bolt 96 slidably engaged through the aligned openings 84 in block formation 78. The bolt extends to cavity 80, with the front portion thereof bridging the slot 52 and entering slot 88 to terminate at the junction of slots 88 and 90. This occurs when the latch is released from the enclosure 14.

The reset key 58 has an elongate bifurcated member 100 secured to the inner face 59 thereof and extending normal thereto. The bifurcated member 100 is chosen to be of a length sufficient to be engaged through slot 90 and to terminate through suitable openings 101 in plate 102. for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The free ends of the arms 104 of bifurcated member 100 are threaded and the bifurcated member is secured to the plate 102 by fastening means 103 accommodated on the said threaded ends of arms 104. The inner edges 108 of arms 104 define a wedge shaped slot 106, said inner edges .108 functioning as cam surfaces in a manner, to be described. An upstanding post 110 is secured to the. block formati surface 76 and. extends toward the reset key 58. A cylindrical cavity 112 is formed in the reset key 58 opening to the inner face 59 thereof. The cavity 112 is of conforming size and configuration to the post 110 so that upon actuation of the resetting ke 58 toward the block formation 76, the post 110 will be accommodated within cavity 112. The reset spring contemplated by the invention. is adapted to be mounted on post 110. Post 111 serves an an aligning aid, for said spring.

The key means of the invention comprises a pair of relatively flat rack members 114 and 116 arranged side by side, fractionally engaged. The so engaged racks are arranged in slot 52 for conjoint longitudinal movement therein. Racks 114 and 116 are capable' also of slidable movement one relative to the other while disposed in the slot 52. Each r^ck 114 and 116 is provided with a plura-• lity spaced tines 118. When the racks are properl arranged within the slot 52, the tines 118 terminate toward the arms 48 of spring 44. The tines are also arranged along the respective racks 114 and 116 so that when the racks are aligned, a majoritiy of the tines are misaligned. E?ch rack 114 and 116 has an imperforate portion 120 and a notch 122 formed therein opening to the edge ,of the res- . pective rack in a direction parallel to the tines 118.

The racks are arranged side by side with the notches 122 thereof aligned and the cover 26 secured to the body 24. A cover plate 170 is secured to the cover 26 over slot 74 so as to retain the rack members within the body. The cover plate 26 overlies the notches 66 so as to provide additional means for retaining, the racks within slot 52 prior to affix ent of cover plate 170 upon the body 24.

When the racks 114 and 116 are arranged in slot 52 in normally assumed initial or lock-set position, the tongue portion 98 of bolt 96 is arranged withdrawn from slot 88 and bears against the imperforate portion 120 of the adjacent one of said racks. Thus the latch member 18 is biased outward from its housing and enters the enclosure 14. The latch 18 is provided with interior spring means 99 xvithin its housing and also is provided with an inclined surface so that the latch may be withdrawn against Its spring bias in closing of the door 10 with the lock in set condition. So long as the tongue 98 of bolt 96 bears against imperforate portion 120 of the next adjacent rack, the latch cannot be forced from the enclosure 14 by manipulations thereof from the exterior of the closure.

Each of the tines 118 of racks 114 and 116 is provided with a cam surface 124 at the free end thereof, most of the cam surfaces facing in one direction. The tines also are spaced along their respective racks so that when the racks are aligned, with notches 122 aligned, the tines for the most part are misaligned except for certain through passage ways not. blocked by a tine. Certain ones of the tines 118 also are provided with cam surfaces 125 which face in the direction opposite from cam surfaces 124. When flat racks 114 and 116 are arranged with their notches 122 aligned, only certain predetermined ones of the cam surfaces 124 and 125 also are aligned.

The cam surfaces 124 and 125 are adapted to be engaged by the extensions 48 of springs 44 when the number keys 28 are pushed inward of body 24. Only those certain aligned · ones of cam surfaces 124 and 125 will move the racks 114 and 116 conjointly when engaged by the arms or extensions 48 keeping the notches 122 aligned. If the aligned cam surfaces are not in position to be engaged by the first to be actuated number key 28, then one of the non-aligned cam surfaces will be engaged by: said respective arm 48 and the racks. 114 and 116 will be moved step-wise relative one the other instead of being moved conjointly. When this occurs, the notches 122 of said racks are misaligned such as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In addition all the said heretofore certain aligned ones of the cam surfaces simultaneously are misaligned. . Thus further actuation of the number keys 28 with following o · any sequence of operations will serve only to move the racks either one relative to the other, or .concurrently, but always thereafter misaligned. The notches 122 cannot be arranged thereafter in aligned condition with slot 88 to permit tongue 98 of bolt 96 to pass therethrough. Thus the latch cannot be released from enclosure 14.

When the first to be operated key 28 is actuated and if it be the predetermined one required to be operated first in the chosen predetermined sequence, the arm 48 of spring 44 associated therewith bears against a certain one of said aligned cam surfaces. The arm 48 bears against said cam surfaces to move the racks conjointly one step in the direction ofyarrow 129 (Figure 6). The arm 48 passes through the clear through passageways between properly aligned racks 114 and 116 and, in passing, bears equally upon the tines. The movement of the racks conjointly brings the aligned openings .122 one step closer to alignment with slot 88. Such conjoint movement of racks 114 and 116 also bring a second pair of aligned cam surfaces in bearing proximity with the arm 48 of another spring 44 associated only with the next one. to be operated of the number keys according to the predetermined sequence. If the next key 28 actually actuated is not that one of the number keys, then the racks again are misaligned. Also, when the ^acks are moved step-wise relative one to another, any of the arms 48 of respective keys 28 may be passed between the tines without affecting the movement of the racks.

It must be emphasized that the movement of the racks 11 and 116 conjointly must place a proper aligned set of cam surfaces in a position along the slot 52 where the next one key of the predetermined sequence of keys will be actuated further to move the racks conjointly, with the notches 122 remaining aligned. . Actuation of any of the number keys' 28 other than that one next key to be actuated in the predetermined sequence will result in misalignment of the racks with simultaneous misalignment of the openings or notches 122.

Once the racks have been misaligned, no further operation of the number keys 28 will realign the openings 122. Thus, notwithstanding any further movement of the racks conjointly or otherwise, operation of the latch release is impossible from exterior of the lock enclosure.

Thus, whether to reset the latch in locked condition . or to realign the racks after misoperation or operation of the lock control mechanism, the ' racks must be returned to their initial or starting positions and properly aligned before the lock 10 is once again operative for release.

Also the bolt, that is, tongue 98 of bolt 96, must be withdrawn from the notches 122 subsequent, to release of the latch to reset the lock.

The means provided by the invention for resetting the racks to their initial operational position as well ;as with drawing the bolt from the aligned notches 122 of the rack, will now be described.

A torsion xire spring 126 of scissor-like V-shaped configuration is arranged mounted upon the post 110. The spring 126 has an apex coil 128 and a pair of extending arras 130 and 132. Each of the arms 130 and 132 has a coil 133 formed therein between coil 12S and the free ends of said arms.. This coil 133 tends to increase the resilience and strength of the spring 126. ■ The spring 126 is arranged with the arms 130 and 132 thereof disposed within the slot 106 of bifurcated member 100. Said arms 130 and 132 terminate in fully extended condition across the slot 52 thereby bridging same. Each one of the racks 114 and 116 are provided with lug members 134 extending outward from that edge of the racks to which the notches 122 thereof open. The lugs 134 are disposed along said edge between the notches 122 respectively and the first one of the tines 118. The lugs 134 extend outward from the racks 114 and 116 respectively in a direction parallel to the tines 118. The lugs 134 are adapted to be aligned when the notches 122 are aligned. When the racks 114 and 116 are arranged in the slot 52, the lugs 134 thereof are disposed between the arms 130 and 132 closely adjacent the free ends thereof.

Pressing of the reset key 58 toward the interior of. housing 22 forces the spring 126 to scissor against its normal bias because of the camming action of the edges 108 defining wedge shaped slot 106. The arms 130 and 132' of spring 126 are thus forced together, as shown in phantom outline in Figure 8. Forcing of the arms 130 and 132 together causes them to bear upon the lugs 134 if the same are not aligned, and further if the same are aligned but moved longitudinally from their initial position. Thus,' scissoring of spring 126 causes the racks 114 and 116 to be aligned and shifted simultaneously in a direction opposite the direction in which, the racks are shifted step by step in the course of operation by the keys 28. The extent of shifting of the racks 114 and 116 by the action of the spring 126 exercised on lugs 134 is governed by the number of step by step shifts required to place the notches 122 in release position, aligned with openings 84 and slot 88.

Of course, a shifting of the racks 114 and 116 by spring. 126 is contingent entirely upon simultaneous withdrawal of the tongue portion 98 of bolt 96 from slot.88 and notches 122. Otherwise movement of the racks would be blocked by said tongue '98. The tongue 98 is withdrawn from slot 88 and notches 122 by means of a wire spring 136.

Spring 136 is a double torsion spring having a mid-bend extending in a direction opposite from the free arms thereof. The bend 138 is in a wedge-like configuration having a wide portion 139. The spring 136 has coil portions 140 and a pair of free arms 142 having free ends 144. The spring 136 is arranged whereby the wide portion 139 of bend 138 is disposed at the apex of wedge shaped cavity 144 formed in the resetting key 58 opening through the inner face 59 there of. The spring 136 is disposed vertically relative said , reset key and betwee the block formation 78 and said key 58. The arms 142 terminate at their free ends 144 in bear-ing relation with a notch 148 formed within cavity 80 of block formation 78. This is shown clearly in Figure 2. When the reset key 58 is actuated toward the interior of body 24, the spring 36 buckles at its coil portions 140 moving same away from slot 52 as shown in Figure 4. The bolt 96 is provided with a depending projection 150 movable within cavity 80 of block formation 78. Movement of the coil portion 140· of spring 136 causes same to bea against the projection 150 to force the bolt 96 against its normal spring bias and withdraw the tongue portion 98 thereof from the notches 122 of the racks. Because force is applied to spring 136 and spring 126 simultaneously, coincident withdrawal of the bolt and resetting of the racks occur. Upon release of reset key 58, the same returns to its normally outwardly biased position relative to body 24 because of the tension exercised upon scissor-spring 126. Simultaneous with the return of the key 58 · to its normally outwardly biased position relative body 24, the tension on spring 136 is relaxed and bolt tongue 98 bears against the imperforate portion 120 of the facing one of the said racks. The latch 18 thereby is forced into enclosure 14.

The invention contemplates as equivalent other spring scissors lever means than described and illustrated herein such as a hinged lever. Where a hinged lever is used, a separate spring member is cooperatively associated with said hinged lever to return the same to its extended or diverged condition. r The combination lock 20 of the invention can be opened from the interior of the 'enclosure secured thereby and defined by the door 12 and the door frame 16. Likewise, setting of the lock or resetting of the lock controlling means also can be accomplished from the side of the lock opposite the push-buttons. Recalling that the arms 104 of the bifurcated member 100 terminate at their free ends through plate 102, the handle member 150' is secured to said plate 102 and extends outward therefrom. The handle 150' comprises a hollow cylindrical shaft 151 which is secured to the plate 102 and at its opposite end 153 is provided with exterior threading for securement to a. cap portion 154. A button member 152 haying flange means 155 at one end thereof passes through a suitable opening in the. cap 154. A stem member 158 is disposed within the cylindrical shaft 151 and passes through a suitable opening in the plate 102. Compression springs, such as 160 are mounted on the stem 158. Compression spring 160 biases the button 152 outward from the cap 154. When the button 152 is actuated against the compression spring 160, the stem 158 is forced, outward from the cylindrical shaft 151 through the plate 102 for a purpose to be described. Upon release of the button 152, the spring 160 causes said button 152 to be ejected from shaft 151 and the stem 158 is retracted. In view of the fact that the free ends of the bifurcated member 100 pass entirely through the housing 22 by way of slo 90, the reset button is directly connected to the plate 102 for reciprocal movement therewith. When the handle' 150' is pulled, the result is identical to that achieved by mani pulation of the reset button or [ key 58. The racks are realigned and the tongue 98 withdrawn from notches 122 so as to set the latch. In order to open the latch, that is to withdraw the latch from the enclosure 14 by manipulation on the side of the door opposite the reset button 58, means are provided operable by pushing the button 152 to move the racks shiftably in a single step to a position where the notches 122 are aligned with the tongue 98 to permit passage thereof therethrough. As noted heretofore, the racks are generally held in place within the slot 52. by a cover plate 170 fastened to cover member 26. Cover plate 170 is a relatively flat strip member. At one end of the strip member 170, there is provided a pair of spaced lugs 172. A lever 174 is mounted for rotation between the lugs 172 upon a shaft 176 secured to said lugs 172. The lever 174 terminates in a flattened portion 180, the width of which -is substantially the same as the combined thickness of the pair of racks 114 and 116. The lever is arranged to be of a length to permit movement thereof within slot 74. When the stem 158 is forced outward of the plate 102 by actuation of button 152, said stem.158 bears upon lever 174 to cause the flattened end 180 thereof to move the pair of racks conjointly in the direction of arrow 182. If at this time the racks happen to be misaligned, as illustrated in Figure 4, they iire realigned by the pressure exerted thereupon by the end 180 of lever 174. The racks thus are urged in a direction the same as conjoint movement step by step would bring the notches. 122 in aligned condition with the tongue 98. The full, movement of the racks in one step is accomplished by the lever 174. Withdrawal or release of the latch 18 from the enclosure 1 is accomplished by passage of the tongue 98 of the bolt 96 through the aligned openings 122. Thus there is a duplication of the movement of the reset button 58, and its function is accomplished by the manipulation of the handle 150' and associated means which are disposed interior of the locked enclosure; a residential or commercial door secured .by the lock according to the invention is jus as easil manipu-lated for opening or locking from the exterior or interior of the secured enclosure.

In Figures 10 to 12 inclusive there is shown a pushbutton combination lock embodying the invention therein which has been modified to function as an automobile door lock. In Figure 10, the automobile door lock is illustrated as installed on an automobile door 10' and is designated generally hereinafter by reference numeral 20' with similar parts having the same but primed reference numerals. The lock 20' is similar to lock 20 in most respects. There is provided a housing 22' having a hollow outer body member 24' and a cover member 26'. The lock 20' includes keys (not shown) for operating the lock controlling means, that is, rack 114' and 116', in the same manner as heretofore described with respect to lock 20. The keys are operated in a predetermined sequence, the racks 114' and 116' are moved step by step to permit opening of the door. Because of the limited space available for installation of the lock 20' upon an automobile door, only five keys, are utilized with resultant narrowing of the housing 22 \ as compared to housing 22. The spring 126' also is provided and is identical with spring 126, same functioning to reset the racks 114' and 116'. Likewise, the bifurcated arm 100' is secured upon the inner face of reset button 58' whereby the wedge shaped slot 106' bears against spring 126' to scissor the same. The lugs 134' identical with lugs.134, are provided on racks 114' and 116' so that scissoring of the spring 126' causes the racks 114' and 116' to be reset. In the automobile lock 20' the latch mechanism shown in respect of lock 20 is absent. Also absent is the double torsion spring 136 used in lock 20 for withdrawing the tongue 98 from the notches 122 of the racks 114 and 116, In the automobile lock 20', a modified form of the invention provides means for duplicating the movement encountered in the normal operation of a key in an automobile lock. Such movement is duplicated by means comprising a combination of flat spring members. The flat spring members are controlled by a second flat spring member which would be equivalent in function to bolt 96 of the residential lock 20. The second spring member is provided with a bent portion biased to pass through aligned passageways 122' of racks 114' and 1161 , and will be explained below. One . wall 200 of the body member 24' is provided with an opening 202 therein. The racks, of course, are provided with openings 122' to perform the function equivalent to that performed by notches 122 of the racks 114 and 116. The racks 114' and 116 ' are arranged to be moved step by step by the operation in a predetermined sequence of the pushbuttons in the manner previously described.

The spring means provided for duplicating the movement of the keys in an ordinary automobile lock .shall be designated generally by reference character 210 and the spring member for controlling said spring means shall be designated generally by reference character 220.

The spring mear.s 210 is formed as a relatively flat end 212 of spring metal having a notched end portion 214, an arcuate extension portion 216 disposed normal to said notched end portion but extending outward from the edge thereof and a return bent arcuate portion 218 having an arcuate end 219. The cover 26' of housing 22' has a pair of spaced lugs 206 extending outward therefrom. A shaft 208 is journalled in suitable openings in lugs 206 and is spaced a slight distance from the surface of the cover 26'. The distance betx^een the surface of cover 26' and the shaft 208 is chosen whereby the band 212 may be passed between the cover 26' and the shaft. The shaft 208 has an extension 208 ' on which is mounted a torsion spring · 209 having an arm 209'. Openings 207 and 207' are formed in cover member 26', with opening 207 being of larger cross section. The notched end portion 214 of spring means 210 is passed between the shaft 207 and the surface of cover 26' and extends thereto with the notch 214' aligned with the opening 207. At this location, the band 212 is spaced only slightly from the shaft 208 so tha raising of the notched portion 214 outward from the surface of ' cover 26' will pivot the extension portion 216 of said band 212 and the return-bent portion 218 thereof around a pivot axis- located at said shaft 208.

The flat spring member 220 comprises a band 222 also formed of spring metal which includes a pair of arms, 224 and 226 joined at an arcuate end 228. Arcuate end 228 is rotatably mounted to shaft 230 which, in turn, is iournalled in suitable openings in spaced apart lugs 232. Lugs 232 are secured to wall 200 of body 24'. The arm 224 includes a U-shaped end portion 234 between the ends thereof, said arm 224 terminating in a flat portion 236. Flat portion 236 is received between the notched end portion 214 of band 212 and the surface of cover 26' so as to block the ; notch 214'. The opening 207 also is blocked by flattened portion 236. The arm 226 is spaced from the wall 200 and engaged with the arcuate end 219 of return-bent portion 218 of band 212.

The spring member 220 normally is biased to pivot on the axis of shaft 230 toward the wall 200. This bias is provided by the arm 218 and end 219 th;.;-eof bearing upon have been moved conjointly step by step to the positio (lock-open condition) Xv/here openings 122' are aligned with opening 20'2, the bent or. U-shaped portion 234 will bear against the imperforate surface 120 ? of one of the racks, 114' and 116'. When the opening 112' is aligned with opening 202, the U-shaped portion 234 of band 220 passes through the openings 202 and 122'. This mo ement of the U-shaped . portion 234 simultaneously causes the end portion 236 to be placed in blocking position relative opening 207.

The bifurcated member 100 ' is similar to member 100 except that the arms 104' and 104" thereof have different structural formations at the free ends thereof. The arm 104' terminates in a return-bent formation 105. Formation 105 is of wedge shaped configuration, and is chosen of a dimension to permit free passage thereof through opening 207 when the key 58' is actuated. Arm 104" has a notch 107 in the end thereof. The arm 109' of spring 209 bears against the arm 104" at notch 107 to assure return of the reset key 58' to its normal outwardly extended position, subsequent to release thereof.

When the racks 114' and 116' have been moved to the position where U-shaped portion 234 passes through opening 122 therein, the portion 236 of spring 220 blocks opening 207. In order to release the door latch, the key turning movement of shaft or bolt 238 must be duplicated. The reset key 58' is actuated. The slot 106' of arm 100' acts upon the spring 126' to cause same to scissor. Tension is thus exerted upon the lugs 134' of racks 114' and 116' to cause them to be realigned. · Simultaneously, the wedge formation 105 passes through opening 107 and is urged a against end portion 236 of spring 220. This end portion 236 is forced upward. The end portion 236 bears against notched portion 214 to cause the same to pivot on the axis of shaft 208. This action in turn causes arm 216 to pivot in the direction of arrow 240 and at the same time causes arm 218 to pivot outward from the housing 22'. Further upward movement of wedge formation 105 causes the end of portion 236 to rest upon canted portion 105' of the .wedge formation 105. Thus the end portion 236 moves away from opening 207. When the end portion 236 moves away from opening 207, the bent portion 234 of band 220 is withdrawn from the openings 122' and 202. The racks now are unblocked and are moved to an aligned initial position because of the tension exerted by spring 126'. The unblocking of the racks occurs simultaneously with the reset thereof. When the reset key 58* is released and returned to its normal outwardly extending position, the tension, upon spring 1261 is released. Now the U-shaped portion 234 enters onening 202 but bears against the imperforate portion 120' on the closest adjacent rack.

The movement of arm 216 rotates shaft of bolt 238 by bearing against post 239 attached thereto duplicating the action of a key 242 as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The door can be opened from the interior of the automobile or . by the key without, disturbing the rack position. This is permitted because the actuatio of the reset button will cause only .the'wedge formation to 'move through the opening 207 with 'no effect on the lock. The on,ly way to open the door from the ;exterior of the automobile except by the use of key.242 is by the operation of the proper number keys in a predetermined proper sequence. Note with the opening of the door, the racks are simultaneously reset so that when the door, is closed, one must operate the number keys .to open. the door from the exterior of the automobile if key 242 is not used. . Many different type of wedge means can be utilized both to exert pressure upon the scissors spring for resetting of the ramp or to. actuate a bolt or spring bolt for the accomplishment of secondary functions. Combinations of spring' means and bolt means also can include camming means to duplicate latch release motions when actuated by various type wedge means iri turn actuated by a reset type button. Secondary functions, such as performed by spring 210, includes trunk locking, ignition controlling and the like.

In summary, the invention has been shown to provide a combination lock structure sufficiently versatile for use, with only minor structural modifications, as residential and commercial locks, automobile door locks, automo-' bile trunk, glove compartment and ignition locks, and the like, all without substantial alteration in the commonly provided enclosure structures; one which is foolproof agains ' operation by other than the predetermined sequence of key manipulations; one which includes a simplified lock controlling keying means over that heretofore provided; and, one which includes means arranged biased against the rack members until the. latter are shifted step by step to permit passage of said spring means through said racks and thereby to permit secondary mechanical operations to occur; ■ IMV!NG Nsw psrticular,y ^ ^ _ t0 be Pe formed, I/We declare th > declare that what 1/ We claim is :-

Claims (26)

1. A button operated combination lock of the character described having a plurality of buttons requiring the consecutive depression of a chosen sequence of said buttons to effect the change of said lock from an intial locked condition to an open condition , and including a lock controlling device coupled to said buttons and shiftable step-by-step in one direction to. pass a latch controlling bolt therethrough to release the latch but only upon depression ,of the proper sequence of said chosen buttons and wherein depression, of said buttons in other but the predetermined sequence serves to disable the lock controlling device and means for resetting the lock controlling device to the initial locked, condition comprising, scissors lever means operable on the lock-cont olling device, bolt-withdrawal means cooperable simultaneously with said scissors lever means to release said lock-controlling device for resetting and actuating means to operate simultaneously-,both the scissors lever means and said bolt-withdrawal means.

2. The lock structure according to claim 1 wherein said lock-controlling device includes at least a pai . of . rack members fractionally engaged side by side for conjoined shifting movement toward the lock-open condition and relative disabling movement thereof, and said scissors lever means comprise a pair of normally divergent arms pivoted together, and means for moving the rack members in the direction opposite said one direction to place the lock in the lock-set condition, comprising lug means connected with each rack and adapted to be engaged by said arms as said arms are actuated to converge whereby to effect said rack member movement .

3. The lock structure according to claim 1 wherei ■ said scissors lever means comprise. a wire tension spring having a loop and a pair of normally diverging arms, said lock controlling device comprising at least a pair of rack members fractionally engaged and seated side by side for conjoined movement to' a lock-open condition by depression of said chosen buttons in said predetermined sequence, and adapted to be moved one- relative to the other upon depression of said buttons in . any but the predetermined sequence to disable said lock controlling device, and means on the racks adapted to be interposed between the said diverging arms for moving the racks to said lock-set condition upon converging of said arms, said actuating means operable to converge said arms against the spring bias thereof.

4. The lock structure according to claim 1 wherein said scissors lever means comprises spring means, lug means provided on said lock controlling device and wedge means operable upon said spring means to scissor same in turn to drive said lug means driving the lock controlling device to lock-set condition.

5. The lock structure according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein said spring means comprises a torsion wire spring having' a loop and a pair, of divergently positioned arms extending therefrom, and said lug means 'comprise lug' members secured on the lock controlling device and adapted to be disposed in the- converging path of said arms.

6. The lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said spring means comprises a torsion x^ire spring having a loop and a pair of divergent positioned arms extending therefrom., said lug means comprise lug members secured on the lock controlling device and adapted to be disposed in the converging path of said arms, and said wedge means comprises an arm carrying a tapered slot opening to the said spring arms and having its wider portion adapted to embrace said spring arms, said arm being secured to said actuating means and adapted to be driven thereby to cause the narrower portion of said slot to bear against said spring arms to converge , same , the resultant force being exercised upon the lug 'members to reset said lock controlling device.

7. The. lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to. wherein said lock controlling device includes. at least a pair of flat, elongate rack members arranged side by side in fractional engagement one with the other for conjoint movement with manipulation of said buttons in proper sequence and relative movement with any manipulation of said buttons, in other than the proper sequence, said racks carrying thereon means for releasing the latch.

8. The lock, structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said lock controlling device includes at least a pair of flat, elongate rack members each having a tined portion, an imperforate portion and a through passageway 'formed in said otherwise imperforate portion, said ' rack members arranged adjacent one the other in frictional engagement with' the through passageways thereof aligned, each of the tines ■ having first cam surfaces formed at the free ends thereof, and certain ones of the tines having second, oppositely facing cam surfaces at the free ends thereof, said second cam surfaces adapted to be aligned with certain ones of said first cam surfaces when the racks are arranged with the passageways of each aligned, said racks adapted to be moved conjointly step-by-step by force exercised against aligned cam surfaces because of depression of said chosen buttons in the said predetermined sequence and said racks being misaligned by force exercised against the other cam surfaces by depression of said buttons in other than the predetermined sequence, and lever means coupled to said buttons to transmit said force to said cam surfaces.

9. The lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which said lock controlling device includes at least a pair of flat, elqngate rack members each having a tined portion, an imperforate portion and a through passageway formed in said otherwise imperforate portion, said rack members arranged adjacent one the. other in frictional engagement with the through passageways thereof aligned, each of the tines having first cam surfaces formed at the free ends thereof, and certain ones of the tines having second, oppositely facing cam surfaces at the free ends thereof, said second cam surfaces adapted to be aligned with certain ones of said first cam surfaces when the racks are arranged with the passageways of each aligned, said racks adapted to be moved conjointly step-by-ste p by force exercised . against aligned cam surfaces because cf depression of said chosen buttons in the said predetermined sequence and said racks being misaligned by force exercised against the other cam surfaces by depression of said buttons in other than the predetermined sequence, and lever means coupled to said buttons to transmit said force to said cam surfaces said lever means -comprising a plurality of like helical spring members associated one with each of said buttons,' and interposed between said cam surfaces and said buttons, each of said. spring members having an arm adapted to engage a respective one of said cam surfaces, and secondary spring means biasing the buttons in outwardly extending relation with the racks.

10. The lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said lock controlling device includes at least a pair of flat, elongate rack members each having a tined portion, an imperforate portion and a through passageway formed in said otherwise imperforate portion, said rack members arranged adjacent one the other in frictional engagement with the through passageways thereof aligned, each of the tines having first cam surfaces formed at the free ends thereof, and certain ones of the tines having second, oppositely facing cam surfaces at the free ends thereof, said second cam surfaces adapted to be aligned with certain ones of' said first cam surfaces when the racks are arranged with the passageways surfaces adapted to be aligned with certain ones of said first cam surfaces when the racks are arranged with the passageways of each aligned, said racks adapted to be moved conjointly step-by-step by force exercised against aligned cam surfaces because of depression of said chosen buttons in the said predetermined sequence and said racks being misaligned by force exercised against the other cam surfaces by depression of said buttons in other than the predetermined sequence, and lever means coupled to said buttons to transmit said force to said cam · surfaces said lever means comprising a plurality of like helical spring members associated one with each of said buttons, and interposed between said cam surfaces and said buttons , each of said spring members having an arm adapted to engage a respective one of said cam surfaces, means biasing the buttons in outwardly extending relation with the racks and safety spring means interposed between said spring members and said keys to compensate for exercise of. excessive force upon said cam surfaces whereby jamming of the racks and damage to the lock-controlling device is prevented. V 1

11. A combination' lock which includes a bolt for controlling the operation of a locking device, a pair of relatively slidable rack members which include means to permit passage therethrough of said bolt to release the locking device, each rack being provided with a longitudinal series of teeth, a series of selectively slidable keys spring biased away from the racks and provided with elements for simultaneously engaging the teeth and shifting the racks step by step in one direction, the racks being provided with teeth fpr conjointly operating the racks in succession of steps only by the selective operation of certain of the keys in a predetermined sequence for releasing the locking device, and with some teeth for shifting one rack relatively to the other when the other keys are operated or when said certain keys are operated out of sequence and thereby rendering the keys ineffective to operate the racks to release the locking device by further operation of the keys and means for simultaneously shifting the racks, aligning same, and. withdrawing the bolt therefrom to place the racks in initial operative condition, said means comprising cooperable scissors and liig means arranged to be actuated to reset said, racks. · ■

12. The lock structure according to claim 1 wherein scissors lever means comprises a wire sprin'g having a pivot junction spaced from the divergent ends thereof.

13. The lock structure according to claim 12 wherein said spring has a V-shaped configuration.

14. The lock structure according to claim 12 in which said spring has a strengthening loop between said pivot junction and the divergent ends thereof.

15. The lock structure according, to claim 1 wherein said latch controlling device comprises a flat spring member of U-shaped configuration biased to bear against said racks except whe the lock controlling device is in open condition and said bolt . ithdrawal means operable to converge said scissors lever means being simultaneously operable to cause the said spring member to be moved against its bias to the locked condition.

16. The lock structure according to claim 15 wherein means are provided operable upon withdrawal of the bolt to perform secondary mechanical functions.

17. .17.' A combination lock of the character which includes a lock controlling device shiftable step-by-step in one direction to assume a lock-open condition by operation of spring-biased keys in a predetermined sequence and which, when the keys are operated in other than said predetermined sequence, will affect a movement disabling the lock-control ling device to prevent further operation thereof, and ■which includes a biased, latch-controlling bolt member operable for passage through said lock-controlling device upon completion of. said predetermined operative sequence to said lock-open condition, but otherwise remaining in bearing relation with said lock-controlling device, to assume a lock-set condition, and in combination therewith, said lock controlling devic.e comprising at least a pair of like flat rack members arranged for said shiftable movement, said racks each having passageways aligned one. with the other when the racks are shifted concurrently and misaligned in the other condition of said racks and said bolt member adapted to pass through said aligned passageways upon completion of said predetermined operational sequence and reaching of the lock open condition..

18. The lock structure according to claim 17 wherein each of said racks has lug means located extending outward thereof, said lug means adapted to be juxtaposed side by side in aligned condition of the racks, and, means are provided for returning said racks in aligned condition to the lock-set position thereof subsequent to the operation of any one of the keys.

19. The lock structure according to claim 17 wherein each of said racks has lug means located extending outward thereof, said lug means adapted to be juxtaposed side by side in aligned condition of the racks, and, means are provided for returning said racks in. aligned condition to the lock-set position thereof subsequent to the operation of any one of the keys, said means comprising pivotal scissors lever means having -a pair of diverging arms, wedge means for converging said arms against the bias thereof, exteriorly disposed key means operatively connected to said wedge means for actuating same, said lug means being arranged between \said arms whereby convergence of the arms return the racks to the initial lock set condition thereof, and means operable by said key means for withdrawing the. bolt from said passageways simultaneously with convergence of said a ms.

20. The lock structure according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein said bolt is spring biased and adapted to release a spring-bias latch.

21. The . lock structure according to any one of claims 17 to -19 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a hinged lever member seated in said key means, means restricting the movement of the free arms of said lever member, the bolt having a depending post member disposed adjacent said hinged lever member, said hinged lever member adapted to be buckled at its hinged connection by actuation of the ke resultingly to bear against said post to move said bolt in a direction outward from the racks thereby to release same for resetting movement thereof to the lock-set condition.

22. •22. The lock structure according to any one of claims ΧΪ to 19' wherein said last mentioned means comprises a hinged lever member seated in said, key means, means restricting the^movenient of the free arms of said lever member, the bolt having a depending post member, disposed adjacent said hinged lever member, and a double torsion wire spring, the coil thereof comprising a hinged connection, said spring adapted to be buckled at said hinged connection by actuation of the key resultingly to bear against said post to move the bolt in a direction outward from the racks thereby to release same for resetting movemen thereof.

23. The lock structure according to any one of claims 17 to -19 in combination with flat spring means constructed and arranged operable to duplicate the key motion of a known key operated lock member upon completion of said predetermined sequence upon the operation of said key means.

24. The lock structure according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein passage of the spring biased bolt through the aligned openings acts to key means for performing secondary operations.

25. A push-key operated combination lock comprising, a bolt for controlling the operation of a lockin device, a pair of relatively slidable rack members which include means to permit passage therethrough of said bolt to release t.he locking device, each rack having a longitudinal series of teeth, a series of selectively slidable keys spring biased away from the racks and provided with elements for simultaneously engaging the teeth and shifting the racks step by step in one direction, the racks having selected teeth for conjointly operating the racks in succession of steps only by the selective operation of certain of the keys in a predetermined sequence for releasing the locking device and other selected teeth for shifting one rack relatively to the other when the other keys are operated or when said certain keys are operated out of sequence and thereby rendering the keys ineffective to operate the racks to release the locking device by further operation of the & keys, and means for simultaneously shifting the racks, aligning same, and withdrawing the bolt therefrom to place the racks in initial operative condition comprising, cooperable scissors and lug means arranged to be actuated to reset said racks.

26. The combina ion lock structure substanti lly as described in the foregoing specification with reference to the accompanying drawing