US1407538A - Lock - Google Patents

Description

D. HOFFMAN AND F. EASTON.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1921.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

8 M. 8 M T I W A TTOR/VEY8 D. HOFFMAN AND F.. EASTON.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.1I.I921.

1,407,538. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Win i:

DILLON HOFFMAN AND FRANK EASTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

noon.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

Application filed January 11, 1921. Serial No. 436,469.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DILLON HorFMAN and FRANK EASTON, both citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York,

have invented a new and Improved Look, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Our invention relates to a lock, and aims to provide a device of this character more particularly adapted for use in connection with an electrical circuit.

In connection with electrical circuits, and

more particularly the ignition circuit, of an automotive vehicle, it is a well appreciated fact that it has been customary to provide a switch which may be opened and closed only upon the actuation of a look;

This has offered certain objections in that 'an operator has quite often failed to actuate the look so that an unauthorized person would be capable of closing the circuit and operating the vehicle. Also upon the loss of the key it has been impossible for the authorized operator to close the circuit without demolishing the lock.

Entirely aside from the foregoing it is also well understood that numerous thefts of automotive vehicles have occurred where the lock had been properly actuated, incident to the fact that a thief who was expertly acquainted with the manipulation of locks could disassemble or otherwise mutilate the same to close the circuit without any one becoming aware of the fact that an unauthorized person was endeavoring to accomplish this purpose.

Having the foregoing in mind, we have constructed a look more particularly adapted for use in connection with the ignition circuit of an automotive vehicle, but not necessarily limited to this adaptation, and by means of which it will not be necessary for an operator to utilize a key to complete closing and opening of the circuit, although this may not be accomplished by an unauthorized person.

A further object of our inventionis the provision of a device of the type specified in which the parts may be moved to necessitate a different manipulation of the lock to effect a closing of the circuit.

A still further object of our invention is the construction of a lock in which an alarm will be given upon an unauthorized person endeavoring to manipulate the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby an unauthorized person will be unable to cause a cessation of operation on the part of the alarm subsequent to the same having once been actuated, and in which it will also be impossible to permit of the circuit being closed by any person other than the proper operator, after the parts of the lock had once been improperly operated.

Further objects of our invention will appear in the annexed specification and drawings, which latter present one practical embodiment of our invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front view of a lock embodying our improved construction, and showing the cover removed therefrom.

Figure 2 is a rear view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional side view taken along the line 33 in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the parts showing the position of the circuits, and

Figure 5 is a face View of the completed device.

In these views the reference numeral 10 indicates the casing of any desirable contour, presenting a face normally closed by means of any suitable cover 11, which is hingedly associated with a casing as at 12, and is normally retained in closed position by any suitable type of lock 13.

In the embodiment illustrated, and in view of the fact that we utilize a substantially circular casing it will be noted that the cover 11 carries a suitable number of annular series of buttons 14, each of which may bear any desirable indicating marking for a purpose hereinafter more fully specified.

It will be noted, reference being had to Figure 3, that each of the buttons 14 is slidably associated with the cover 11, and a spring 15 serves to normally press the buttons outwardly, such movement being limited by any suitable means, such as the head 16 of the pin 17 forming a fixed portion of each of the buttons 14.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen that a plurality of contact rails 18 are arranged within the easing 10, certain of said contact rails underlying different series of buttons 14. Thus,

by meansof springs 26.

assuming that a traveling contact point is slidably arranged upon certain of the rails 18, these rails carry current, and the casing being grounded a projection on the part of one of these buttons will result in a flow of current through the same, the contact. member,'and so into the rail, or vice versa.

Referring now more particularly to this contact member, it will'be seen, reference being had to Figure 3 that the same preferably includesa clipport-ion 19 capable of slidable engagement with one of the rails, a grasping portion 20, permitting of its being manually shifted, andinsulation 21, which serves to prevent the fiow of current from the'body portion of the traveling contact point into certain of the rails with which it is associated. y

In theembodiment illustrated, it will'be noted that we have shown a pair of solenoids 22 and 23 respectively, at points underlying the contact rails 18. Each of these solenoids serves 'to actuate armatures 24; and 25, respectively, which latter are normally projected' from withinthe body of the solenoid Attention being had to' Figure AL it will be seen that the armature-24 carries an arm 26,

which latter cooperates with normally closed switches 27 and 28, to eifect a closing of-the same, which armature 25 is provided with an arm 29 and serves tobridge' the points 30 upon the solenoid 23 being actuated.

In the embodiment illustrated, it will-be rent'31, is provided with a branch 34:, having the convolutionsof the solenoid 23 arranged inseries therewith. Thence this lead extendsto one of thepoints of the switch 27 the opposite portion of said switch. being connected in the form shown, to the secondary rail 18.

Also with a'view of providing a suitable alarm, it will be noted that we may utilize an electrically actuated bell, or other suitable device. v p

With a view of providing a suitable source of actuating current for this signal, the feed lead of the source of current supply 31, is

provided, as has been "indicated by the referencenumeraIBG, and arranged in series with this" latter branch is the signal 35, the branch extending thence to one of the points of the switch 28, the second point of which A is groundedasat 37.

l As'suniing now that the traveling contact point embracing the clips 19, has been moved to a; positionwhich has beennoted by the oplead 38, solenoid 22, outer or inner rail 18,

"traction being'exerted'upon the armature 24, carrying the arm 26, and upon thisoccurring it will be obvious that the switch 27 will prituating the latter.

erator, it will be seenthat upon pressing the V properbutton 14, that contact will be established from the source-rof current supply 31, through the main lead 38, thence through the branch lead 3% through the solenoid 23 thence through the closed switch'27, tothe center rail 18, through the clips 19, to the body'of the traveling contact point, the pin 17 of the proper buttonwliicwbears against the body of the contact point, the body of the casing 10, and thence to the ground 33, completing the circuit through the ground 32. This will result in an actuation of the armature 25, and by virtue of the arm29 oftheflatter, the points 30 will be bridged, which will serve to close the circuit "leadingto the e-lement'39 which latter may be in the nature of a'magneto, coils, etc.

If, on theother hand, the improper button has been-pressed, it will be' obvious that the'head'16of the pin associated ,with the 7 same will press againsteither'the outer or inner rail 18. Thiswill result; in current passing through the source offsupply 31,

and thence grounded as atf33 throughthe casing 10'comp1'eting the circuit through the ground 32. f p V This action-willobviously result man atmarily' be opened, subsequent to which the switch 28 will be closed.

This action of"closingtheswitch 28 will result in a completion ofthefcircuit in which the sounding device35'is arranged,"thusac- Also by virtue of the opening of the'switch 27, it will be appreciated that a subs'equent a'ction, before a return'of the parts to normal on the part of the solenoid 23, may thus not be accomplished.

To now providemeans serving to retain theparts' in the position desired by the operator, it will be'notedjthat a suitable latch has been provided, which latch is" in the nature of aspring projected slidable pin'39, capable of being retracted by means of aknob40, extending beyond the outer face of the cover 11. This latch is inline' with the body 'of'the armature'25, and upon the "latter being retracted against theaction of the spring26, it will be appreciated that the latch williprevent a return of the parts to normal until the pin 39 hasbeen' manually Withdrawn 'from out of engagement with the'armature '25.

With a View of providing a similar'expedient for the armature 24: 'itwill bei noted that we may conveniently utilize a bracket 41 within the casing 10, or "otherwiserender the of the same. 'A spring projected pin 42 is slidably associated withthisbracket,and is in line with the body of the armature 22, and arranged atsuch a position with "respect same suitably inaccessible from" the exterior V thereto that upon the latter being retracted against the action of its associated spring 26,

- that a return of the parts to their normal position may not be accomplished until the cover has been opened and the pin a2 manually retracted.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated, reference being had to the preceding paragraphs, that upon the operator having pressed the button 14, that the circuit through the element 39 will have been closed, and an actuation of the same will have been permitted. On the other hand, an opening of this circuit may be efiected by a retraction on the part of the knob 40, which will permit the armature 25 to beprojected by the spring 26, thus returning the parts to their normal position.

If an unauthorized person operates the device, however, it will be appreciated that in all likelihood he will press the wrong button. This will result in an actuation of the solenoid 22, and armature 24:, and any subsequent manipulation of the proper button 14; will fail to cause a cessation of operation on the part of the alarm 35, or closing of the circuit through the element 39, for the reason that a return of the armature 2a to its natural position is precluded by the pin 42, thus holding the switch 28 closed and the switch 27 open.

An examination of the foregoing specification, and drawings referred to in the same, will clearly indicate that by means of our improved lock, that we have provided a device which will permit of an operator dispensing with a conventional switch key, at the same time insuring the actuation of an automatic working signal, if an unauthorized person should attempt to close the circuit.

Obviously numerous modifications of structure might readily be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of our invention, which we claim as: V

l. A look, including a casing, a switch within said casing for closing a circuit, a secondary switch also within said casing for closing a circuit through an alarm, and further switches arranged in series with said first named circuit, and being adapted to be opened upon an actuation of said secondary switch.

2. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armatures associated one with each of said solenoids, and adapted to be operated thereby, switches actuated by said armatures, and means for causing an actuation of one of said solenoids and switches associated therewith.

3. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armatures associated one with each of said solenoids and adapted to be operated thereby, switches actuated by said armatures, and a plurality of actuating means electrically connected with said solenoids.

4. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armatures associated one with each of said solenoids, and adapted to be operated thereby, switches actuated by said armatures, a plurality of actuating means electrically connected with said solenoids, one of said actuating means serving to actuate the solenoid operating the switch in series with the main solenoid to be closed.

5. A look, including a casing, solenoids within said casing, armatures associated one with each of said solenoids and adapted to be operated thereby, switches actuated by said armatures, a plurality of actuating means electrically connected with said solenoids, one of said actuating means being connected with one of said solenoids for causing a closing of a switch, the balance of said actuating means serving, upon actuation, to operate the second solenoid for closing a further switch, and opening a third switch, said last named switch being in series with said last named switch and preventing a subsequent closing of the circuit controlled by the same.

6. A lock, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within said casing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails, a plurality of actuating members arranged above said rails, said contact point being adapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoids in circuit with said rails, and a source of current supply, armatures controlled by said solenoids, switches controlled by said armatures, one of said switches permitting, upon being closed, of a flow of current through a main circuit fed by said source of current supply, the armature of the second solenoid controlling further switches in series with said source of current supply for causing the actuation of an alarm mechanism.

7 A look, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within said casing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails, a plurality of actuating members arranged above said rails, said contact point being adapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoids in circuit with said rails, and a source of current supply, armatures controlled by said solenoids, switches controlled by said armatures, one of said switches permitting, upon being closed, of a flow of current through a main circuit fed by said source of current supply, the armature of the second solenoid controlling further switches in series with said source of current supply for causing the actuation of an alarm mechanism, and the opening of the first named circuit.

8..A lock, including a casing, a plurality of contact rails within said casing, a traveling contact point arranged upon said rails,

'trollingfurther switches in series with said source of current supply for causing the actuationof an alarrninechanism, the opening of the first named circuit, and means serving to normally .retain the firstand second switches opened, and last named switch in closed position. v I

9. A look, including acasing, a plurality of contact rails within said casing, a traveling contactpoint arranged upon said rails, a plurality of actuatingmembers arranged above said rails, said contact point being adapted to be borne against by one of said actuating members, solenoids in circuit with said rails, and asource ofcurrent supply,

armatures controlled by said solenoids, switches controlled by said armatures,one of lsaid switches permitting, upon being closed,

ofa flow of currentthrough a maincircuit ted by saidsource of current supply, them:- mature of the second solenoid controlling further switches in series with said source of current supply for causing the actuation. of

an alarm mechanism, the opening of the first named circuit, means serving tornormally retain thefirst and second switches opened, and last named switch in closed position, and meansvforretaining said armatures in retracted position subsequent to their actuation by their respective solenoids.

DILLON HOFFMAN. FRANK, EASTON.

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