US3112637A - Lock and key construction - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1963 F, THOMAS 3,112,637

LOCK AND KEY CONSTRUCTION Filed July 10, 1962 INVENTOR. JawJ F. 77/0Mas.

BY 7 r In:

HTTaEJKE YQS,

3,112,637 LGCK AND KEY CONSTRUiZTIfiN John F. Thomas, 5327 Shetland Ave, Pittsburgh 6, Pa. Filed July 10, 1%2, 595'. No. zaassz 7 Claixns. (Ci. 7(9-2523) This invention relates to a novel lock and key construction which is especially adapted for use in securing hub caps and the like onto a vehicle mounting structure, however it is by no means limited to this particular application.

As is known, hub caps are subject to a high incidence of petty thievery on automobiles; and because of their cost of replacement, and the considerable annoyance involved in effecting replacement, it has become desirable to include a simple tamper-resistant and durable lock for preventing removal of hub caps or othe articles adapted to be held in place. It is quite dillicult to meet all of the functional requirements for securing a hub cap in place because the lock, by the very economy of the situation, must not be comparable in cost with the hub cap which it is intended to protect. Therefore, it is essential to provide a simple lock which is functionally adequate and yet inexpensive to build and assemble.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lock and key construction having a high degree of security against picking or breakage and which is adapted to retain the hub cap or other member which it locks against pilfering. At the same time, it is an object of the invention to construct the lock with a minimum number of components and a minimum number of moving parts whereby the lock is not subject to breakage or freezing in place for any reason such as lack of lubrication, contamination or the like.

In the case of most inexpensive locks, one key is oftentimes found interchangeable with another, thereby seriously compromising the pick-proof qualities of the lock. Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention that the lock can be varied in its construction by slight changes which make the lock responsive only to a particular key construction. This feature of the invention contributes to the pick-proof qualities of the lock, thereby increasing its security value.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock which is free of moving tumblers, coil springs and the like, and in their place, to provide a leaf spring which is biased by the key out of jamming relation with companion threaded members securing the hub cap or the like to its mounting structure. Because of this important feature that the lock is exclusive of moving tumblers, coil springs and the like, it is capable of receiving unusually rough handling without producing injury to the lock. Thus, the usual jars and impacts which are experienced in assembling and disassembling a wheel structure will not produce damage to the lock nor will the lock be easily sprung by any pounding or impact produced at the outer surface of the hub cap. The locking is such that the hub cap must be virtually destroyed before it can be removed, thereby discouraging pilferage.

As will be seen from a detailed description of the invention, the lock involves a number of distinct security measures, one of which involves an interfitting of the key bit with variously constructed keyways of the lock, and the second security measure involving biasing of a resilient member out of jamming connection between two threaded members, thereby permitting threading and unthreading movements of the lock which is otherwise jammed by the resilient member. In this way, the key must be appropriately fitted both to the keyway and to the resilient member before the lock can be properly operated.

3,ll2,53-7 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

FlGURE 1 is an axial section view of a vehicle wheel and hub cap, together with the lock mechanism of the present invention therefor, showing the mounting structure to which the lock is fastened for holding the hub cap in place;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hub cap lock of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hub cap lock of the invention, similar to that of FIG. 2, but with the lock rotated from its position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lock cylinder, showing the manner in which slots are formed therein for the reception of bits on a key;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled lock;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembled lock;

FIG. 7 is a partly broken-away elevational plan View of a protector for the lock to prevent entrance of grime and dirt into its interior;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line VlllVIIl of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a partially broken-away side view of a master key for the lock of the invention; and

PEG. 10 is a partially broken-away side view of the master key, rotated 90 with respect to the View of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an automotive vehicle wheel 19 having a hub cap 12 attached thereto. Secured to the side of the wheel by means of its usual mounting bolts 14 is a generally cup-shaped mounting plate 16 for the lock of the present invention, generally indicated at 18. The plate 16, however, can be replaced by other suitable mounting means such as a bracket having one end sccured to a mounting bolt and its other end, which receives the lock of the present invention, aligned with the center of the Wheel and hub cap. The lock 18 is received within an opening 21 in the center of hub cap 12 and is provided 'with a flange 22 which engages a cooperating radially-inwardly extending flange 24 around the opening 20, the flange 24 being recessed such that the front face of flange 22 on the lock will be flush with the outer surface of hub cap 12. The other end of the lock 18 is connected to the cup-shaped plate 1.6 by means of a nut 26.

With reference now to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the lock 13 includes a cylindrical assembly 28; a center post 35} which threads into the cylindrical assembly 28; a leaf spring 32, and a key 34. The cylindrical assembly 28 includes a cylinder 36 having longitudinal or axial slots 38 and arcuate slots 49 and 42, formed transversely to the slots 33. This construction is probably best illustrated in FIG. 4. The spacing of the arc uate slots 44} and 42 and the length thereof are factors of the combination of the lock, whereby only the appropriate key, hereinafter described, is effective for turning the cylinder 36. Furthermore, one of the methods for changing the lock combination is by varying the spacing of arcuate slots 40 and 42.

Provided in the cylinder 36 is an axial bore having an upper relatively large diameter portion 46 and a lower reduced-diameter portion 48. The lower portion 48 is threaded as shown and provided with slots 50 spaced apart. The threaded, reduced diameter portion 48 of the cylinder 36 receives the threaded portion 52 of the center post 343. The threads on the lower part 51 of portion 52 will easily pass through the threaded portion 48 in the cylinder 36; however the threads on the upper part 53 of portion 52 of center post 3!? are roughened or enlarged such that the center post must be force-threaded into the threads on cylinder 36, with the non-roughened threads on lower part 51 passing through the bottom of cylinder 36 and adapted to receive the nut 26 which. holds. the lock onto the cup-shaped plate 16. The nut 26 is preferably welded or otherwise securely fastened to the inside surface of the cup-shaped plate 16 such that the threads on portion 52 of the center post may be threaded therein without the necessity for holding the nut 26 in place, it being understood that when the center post is threaded into the nut 26, the plate 16 and the entire center portion of the wheel 16 will be covered by the hub Cap 12.

The cylindrical assembly 28 is completed by a cylindrical sleeve 54 (FIGS. 2, 3 andS) which is press-fitted over the outer surface of the cylinder 36 and forced intoengagement with a shoulder 44 on the underside of flange 22, this shoulder 44 being the one which engages the flange 24 on opening 26) of hub cap 12.

With reference now to the center post 3%, above the threaded portion 52 is an unthreaded portion 56 having flattened sides 60 and 62. Spaced along the unthreaded and flattened portion is a reduced-diameter portion 53 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) which permits embossments on the interior of the key 3 2-, hereinafter described, to pass therein. Provided in the sides of the center post 39 are slots 64 which must be aligned with the slots in cylinder 36 for thereception of legs 66 and 63 of the spring 32 (see FIG. 5). Connecting the slots 64 is a transversely-extending slot 67 (FIG. 3) having portions 69 extending upwardly from its opposite edges. The portions 69 are tapered such that they may be clinched together over slot or recess 67 to hold the spring 32 in place, and prevent its removal. The spring 32 is formed from high carbon steel, or other resilien like material of proper size, such that the legs 66 and 68 tend to expand outwardly. In assembly, FIGS. 5 and 6, the'center post 36 is inserted into the cylinder 36. The lower part 51 of threaded portion 52, being non-roughened, passes easily through the threaded portion 48 at the bottom of cylinder 36. The upper part 53 of the threaded portion 52 on center post which is roughened is force-threaded into the threaded portion 48 and becomes a semi-permanent connection. As was mentioned above, the slot 64. on the center post 30 must be aligned with slots 59 in the threaded portion 48 in cylinder 36 to receive the legs 66 and 63 of the spring 32. The sleeve 54 is then press-fitted over the outer surface of the cylinder 36, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the cylinder a suflicient amount to insure a solid gripping connection between the cylinder 36 and center post 30. .The spring 32 is next fitted into the assembly by pressing the legs 66 and 68 together whereby they pass longitudinally into slots 64 of center post 30 so that the upper bent portion of the spring is fitted into the connecting recess 67. The ends or portions 69 are then clinched together'to prevent the spring from being removed longitudinally out of slots 64 of the center post and slots 56 in the cylinder 36. The lock is now complete, the completed assembly being shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

When the lock is so assembled, the lower part 51 of threaded portion 52 on center post 3% projects beyond the cylinder 36 as mentioned above and constitutes the locking connection to the cup-shaped plate 16 on wheel 10. The legs 66-68 of the spring 32, having a tendency to expand outwardly out of the slots 64 in center post 30, are prevented from doing so by the depth of the slots in cylinder 36 such that when the spring is fully expanded and in locking position the outer surface of the spring is about even with the outer surface of the center post 36. a

It will be noted that the cup-shaped plate 16 is providedwith a central opening 70 (FIG. 2) which may be threaded to receive the lower part of center post 343. This opening 70, as well as the nut 26, are provided l with slots 72 and 74, respectively (FIG. 5), adapted to be aligned with the slots 64 and St) in center post 39 and cylinder 36, respectively. Thus, in order to thread hollow cylindrical member of the proper size to fit into the upper enlarged diameter portion 46 of the bore in cylinder 36 and of sufficient length to permit the forming of a thumb grip by which it may be turned within the cylinder 36. The thumb grip 89 is formed by pressing together or flattening one end of the outer cylindrical member 76. The second member or insert 78 is a hollow cylindrical member of a size and length to be press-fitted into the first member 76. Formed on the inner periphery of the insert 73 are indentations or embossments 82 which will slide past the flattened surfaces 69 and 62 on the upper portion 56 of the center post 38. The indentations or embossments 82 are on opposite sides of the insert 78 spaced 180 apart. Consequently, in order for the key to be inserted over the center post 3%, the embossments 82 must be aligned with the flattened portions 66 and 62 since otherwise they will not be able to pass over the upper portion of the center post.

Provided on the outer surface of the key blank 76 are bits 34 and 86 spaced apart in an amount equal to the spacing between slots 40 and 42 and adapted to' slide into slot 38 such that they will be aligned with the transverse slots 42 and 46, respectively. It can thus e seen that when the bits 34 and 86 pass into the axial slot 38 in cylinder 36, the embossments 82 will pass over flattened portions 66 and 62 and will reach the reduced diameter portion 58 where they may turn freely around the center post. As the key is turned within the bore 46 of cylinder 36, the bits 84 and 86 will pass along the transverse slots 4% and 42. In this process, the embossments 82 on the inner surface of the insert 78 will be rotated through whereby they will engage the legs 66-68 of the spring 32 to force them (i.e., legs 66 and 68) radially inwardly. At this point, therefore, the legs 66 and 68 have been retracted from the slots Si in cylinder 36 as well as slots 72 and '74 in cup 16 and nut 26, respectively. Further rotation of the key 89 will cause the cylinder 36 to also rotate, thereby removing it from the nut 26 such that the hub cap 12 may be removed.

In order to apply the hub cap onto the wheel, the foregoing process is repeated, except that thekey is rotated in the opposite direction with the same overall effect (i.e., the legs 66 and 68 of the spring 32 are forced radially inwardly).

With reference to FIG. 7, added protection to the keyway may be provided by a detachable protector 83 formed from metal or the like which is force-fitted by thumb pressure into the bore 46 and cylinder 36 to fill the volume between the center post 36 and the inner periphery of bore 2-6. The detachable protector 88 has a iongitudinal slot 39 provided therein to permit a limited amount of radial expansion and precludes entry of dirt which may otherwise accumulate within the bore 46 and the elements included therehi. Since, asmentioned previously, the hub cap is located at an unprotected point of the vehicle, it is sometimes advisable to include this additional protection to the lock toprevent it becoming fouled by grime, road dust and the like which might otherwise preclude entry ofthe key.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10*; in place of the custom key shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there may be used a master key which is of the same general construction as the custom key, except that it does not have bits on its outer surface such as bits 84 and 86. The master key, like the custom key, is formed from the inner and outer cylindrical members 98 and 92. Formed on the members 90 and '92 are two sets of longitudinally-extendin embossments 9'4 spaced 180 apart. These embossments 94 are adapted to slide into the slots 64- on the center post 39. Spaced 90 from the embossments 94 are flattened portions 96, there being two flattened portions also spaced 180 apart such that they will pass over the flattened portions 6! and 62 at the top of the center post.

In use, the master key is nserted over the center post with the flattened portions 95 thereon passing over flattened portions 60 and 62 of the center post 3% and the embossments 94 passing into the slots 64 on either side of the center post 30. In this process, it will be appreciated that the spring legs 66 and 63 will be forced radially inwardly; and since the embossments 94 extend into the slots 64 they provide a means for transmitting torque, in combination with the flattened sides 96 pressed against sides 68' and s2, from the master key to the cylinder 36 whereby it may be removed from nut 25 on the cupshaped plate 16. Regardless of changes in the combination of the lock, the master key is efiective for rotating all of the different lock combinations regardless of the location of the cross slots 40 and 42 since, as mentioned above, it does not have bits on its outer surface.

To change the lock combination, the spacing and location of slots 4% and 42 and their cooperating bits 84 and 86 on the custom key 34 are changed; however regardless of any change, the master key of FIGS. 9 and 10 will always be effective for turning the lock. A second method of changing the lock and key combinations is by varying the number, size and relative positions of the reduced diameter or diameters 58 along the unthreaded and flattened portion 56 of center post 38 and matching embossmen-ts on the inner surface of the custom key 34 to the reduced diameters on the center post. A third method of changing the lock and key combinations is by varying the position of the center post 3% in the cylinder 36 relative to the longitudinal slot 33 in the cylinder 36 and by turning the insert in the key blank an equal number of degrees in the same direction. It can be readily seen that by using either one of these methods of changing the lock and key combinations either singly or in combination with each other numerous lock and key combinations may be had. These are security features of the lock and key assembly.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lock construction comprising a tubular member having longitudinal keyway slots and circumferential slots disposed transversely thereto, a threaded post including a mounting portion adapted to be held by said tubular member to produce joint rotation of said tubular member and threaded post, said threaded post having a portion extending through said tubular member for connection with a companion threaded member, spring means carried by said threaded post and proportioned to fit within slots of said post and having normally expanded legs which move outwardly into locking engagement with said companion threaded member complementary with said center post to thereby prevent turning of both said post and cylinder relative to the companion member, and a key member having bits adapted to fit within the keyway slots of said tubular member and to move both longitudinally and angularly relatively thereto whereby a driving connection is effected between said bits and cylinder to 6 produce turning of the cylinder and center post in either one of opposite directions, and camming means at the inner surface of said key member having portions which bias the expanded ends of said spring means within the slots of said center post to permit turning of the center post in either a threading or unthreading direction.

2. A lock construction for securing hub caps and the like, comprising a first lock member having transverse longitudinal and arcuate keyways therein, a second lock member received in said first lock member and including a threaded connection therewith, said second lock member having a threaded portion extending into threaded connection with a companion member to which the hub cap or the like is adapted to be locked, a resilient member proportioned to fit within slots of said second lock member and including expandable leg portions effecting resistance to threading or unthreading movement of the second lock member relatively to said companion member to which the hub cap or the like is adapted to be locked, and a key having bit portions proportioned to fit slideably within the longitudinal and arcuate keyways of said first lock member and adapted to form a driving connection therewith whereby said first and second lock members are turned together in a threading or unthreadin-g direction, said key member having embossmen-ts therein which bias said expandable leg portions radially inwardly to release the binding between said second look member and its companion threaded member when the key is turned angularly and into operative engagement with said first lock member.

3. A lock adapted for fixing hub caps and the like onto automobile wheels, comprising a mounting cylinder having a threaded opening at one end thereof and a combination of longitudinal and transverse arcuate slots forming a security against unlocking, a threaded member extending within said cylinder and including a threaded portion extending beyond said cylinder for securement with a mounting structure, resilient means secured to said post and having expandable portions adatped to jam the projected threaded end of said center post against turning relatively to its complementary mounting structure, and a key having spaced bits adapted to pass through and more angularly within the mounting cylinder through the slots therein and adapted to form a driving connection with said cylinder to eifect movement of the cylinder and threaded member therein in a threading or unthreading direction whereby the projected threaded end of the threaded member is fastened with or released from its mounting structure, said key also having abutment portions for biasing said resilient means out of interference fit, resisting movement of the projected end of said post and its companion threaded member, said key bit being in driving engagement with said cylinder to eilect threading and unthreading movement of said cylinder and post when the resilient means are depressed by the properly constructed key member.

4. A combination lock and key construction for securing hub caps and the like, comprising a first lock member having grooves therein providing longitudinal and angular movement of a key member, threaded means carried by said first lock member and secured therewith, said threaded means having a projecting portion threadedly received within a fixed member to become interlocked therewith, a resiiient member carried Within slots of said threaded means and having expandable portions adapted to jam movement of the projected threaded portion of said threaded means within its companion fixed member, a key having bits proportioned to fit within the slots of said first lock member and adapted to form a driving connection therewith, effecting rotation of said first lock member and its attached threaded means in a threading or unthreading direction, said key also having bits adapted to bias the resilient member inwardly to be disposed within slots of said threaded means thereby relieving retarding eiiect between the projected threaded portions of said threaded means and its companion fixed member whereby said hey is free to insert or remove said projected threaded end relatively to its companion member.

5. A combination lock and key comprising a lock member having a keyway including both longitudinal and transverse arcuate portions, a key having bit portions adapted to fit longitudinally within said keyway and movable arcuately into driving engagement with said lock member to effect rotation thereof, a mounting member for the lock member, means carried by said lock member and including a threaded projecting portion adapted to form a locking connection with said mounting member, a slotted portion in the mounting member, resilient means having at least one spreadable portion movable into said siotted portion of the mounting member to resist movement of said threaded projecting portion, and biasing abutments on said key adapted to force the spreadable portion of said resilient means out of said slotted portion when said bit portions are disposed in driving connectionwithsaid lock member to eifect threading or unthreading movement of said threaded projected portion in saidmounting member.

6 A combination lock and key inciuding a threaded connection with amounting member wherein said lock eifects a security fastening against removal, said lock and key combination comprising at least one combination longitudinal and arcuate keyway precluding entry and turning movement of any except a properly bitted key within the complementary keyway to effect turning of the lock in a fastening or releasing direction, said mounting memher having a slotted portion, resilient means including a spreadable portion having a jamming portion movable lass? into said siotted portion to preclude turning movement of said lock, and biasing means forming a part of said key and adapted to urge the jamming portion of said resilient means outrof said slotted portion of the mounting'mernber to provide turning movement of said lock by said key.

7. A combination lock and key construction comprising a mounting member, a lock body adapted to be locked to said mounting member andhaving a portion threadable into or out of a threaded opening in the mounting meta,-

her, a slot in the threaded opening, a companion slot iirthe,

portion of said lock body which threads into said opening, resiiient means in, said companion slot arranged to expand outwardly into the slot in the threaded opening, to prevent turning of the lock body in said threaded opening and thereby eiTect lockin of the lock body to the mounting member, a keyway in the lock body precluding entry and turning movement of any but a properiy bitted key in, the keyway, a properly bitted key for said keyway, and means operable in conjunction with turning of said key in its keyway for forcing said resilient means out of the slot in said threaded opening to thereby efiect unlock: ing of the lock body to the mounting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,708,844 Cincel May 24, 1955 2,722,822 Thomas Nov. 8, 1955 2,797,572 Prall July 2, 1957 2,994,217 Miller Aug. 1, 1961

Claims (1)

1. 4. A COMBINATION LOCK AND KEY CONSTRUCTION FOR SECURING HUB CAPS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A FIRST LOCK MEMBER HAVING GROOVES THEREIN PROVIDING LONGITUDINAL AND ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF A KEY MEMBER, THREADED MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER AND SECURED THEREWITH, SAID THREADED MEANS HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION THREADEDLY RECEIVED WITHIN A FIXED MEMBER TO BECOME INTERLOCKED THEREWITH, A RESILIENT MEMBER CARRIED WITHIN SLOTS OF SAID THREADED MEANS AND HAVING EXPANDABLE PORTIONS ADAPTED TO JAM MOVEMENT OF THE PROJECTED THREADED PORTION OF SAID THREADED MEANS WITHIN ITS COMPANION FIXED MEMBER, A KEY HAVING BITS PROPORTIONED TO FIT WITHIN THE SLOTS OF SAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO FORM A DRIVING CONNECTION THEREWITH, EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER AND ITS ATTACHED THREADED MEANS IN A THREADING OR UNTHREADING DIRECTION, SAID KEY ALSO HAVING BITS ADAPTED TO BIAS THE RESILIENT MEMBER INWARDLY TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN SLOTS OF SAID THREADED MEANS THEREBY RELIEVING RETARDING EFFECT BETWEEN THE PROJECTED THREADED PORTIONS OF SAID THREADED MEANS AND ITS COMPANION FIXED MEMBER WHEREBY SAID KEY IS FREE TO INSERT OR REMOVE SAID PROJECTED THREADED END RELATIVELY TO ITS COMPANION MEMBER.

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