US3275763A

US3275763A - Combination lock apparatus having lock elements with alignable openings

Info

Publication number: US3275763A
Application number: US311859A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul J Ethington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-09-26
Filing date: 1963-09-26
Publication date: 1966-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 1983-09-27

Description

Sept. 27, 1966 J. ETHINGTON 3,275,763

COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS Filed Sept. 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PAUL J ETH/A/G 70M Sept. 27, 1966 P.J. ETHINGTON COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1963 INVENTOR. PQC/L vi ETH/MGTG'IL/ Sept. 27, 1966 P. J. ETHINGTON 3,275,763

COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS Filed Sept. 26; 1963 a Sheets-Sheet 5 III INVENTOR PAUL J ETH/A/G TO/L/ United States Patent 3,275,763 COMBINATION LOCK APPARATUS HAVING LOCK ELEMENTS WITH ALIGNABLE OPENINGS Paul J. Ethington, 1418 Washington Blvd., Birmingham, Mich. Filed Sept. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 311,859 Claims. (Cl. 200-43) This invention relates generally to combination locks and more particularly to an improved combination lock assembly of a type adapted to lock a member extending through the lock in a desired position.

The combination lock assembly of this invention is particularly useful in locking a lever actuated switch, such as a toggle switch, of the type commonly used on power tools, in an o position. A lock assembly for preventing children and other unauthorized persons from actuating the switches on power tools, which provides for quick operation of the tools by authorized personnel, is desirable. It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved combination lock assembly which is usable for the above and similar purposes, is readily attachable to a standard lever actuated switch, and is simple and coupling assembly of code elements in a combination lock device.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the combination lock assembly of this invention, shown in assembly relation with a toggle switch mounted on a frame, only a fragmentary portion of which is shown, and showing the switch in an ofif position;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. illustrating the switch in an -on position;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, illustrated similarly to FIG. 2 showing the lock in a position permitting movement of the switch to an on position, and showing the switch actuating lever in the on position in solid lines and in the off position in broken lines;

FIGURE 15 is an elevational view of one of the lock elements in the lock assembly of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of another one of the lock elements in the lock assembly of this invention;

FIGURE 7 is a front view of the lock assembly of this invention showing the switch of FIG. 1 in an oil posit1on;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional View of a modified form of the lock assembly of this invention, showing the assembly mounted on a toggle switch shown in an off position in solid lines and in an on position in broken lines;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 8, looking substantially along the line 99 in FIG. 8;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of another modified form of the lock assembly of this invention, showing the assembly mounted on a toggle switch as in the FIG. 2 illustration of the first form of the lock assembly of this invention; and

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the slip coupling of code elements in the lock assembly shown in FIG. 10.

With reference to the drawing, the lock assembly of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in assembly relation with a lever actuated switch unit 12 mounted on a frame 14, which may be the frame of a power tool or the like. The switch unit 12, which is 3,275,763 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 shown in detail in FIG. 11, is of the conventional toggle type having a bat handle shape actuating lever 16 mounted on a switch body 12a and movable between a pair of switch operating positions illustrated as the on position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and the off position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. A ball 2 (FIG. 10) on the inner end of the lever 16 is rotatably supported in a socket '3 and a spring pressed pin 4 extends inwardly from the ball 2 into engagement with a curved arm 5 which rocks on a pivot 6. A contact 7 is electrically connected at all times to the arm 5 which carries a contact 8 at one end engageable with another contact 9. In the switch unit 12, which is conventional, the shape of the arm 5 provides a snap action to movement of the lever 16 so that whenever it is moved past the center of pivot 6 in one direction it automatically completes its movement in that direction. When the lever 16 is in the position shown in FIG. 10, switch unit 12 is off because

contacts

8 and 9 are spaced, and when lever 16 is moved to position the pin 4 on the opposite side of pivot 6, contact 8 is moved into engagement with contact 9 so that switch unit 12 is on. The lever 16 is thus pivotally movable between two stable positions, corresponding to on and off conditions of switch unit 12, and is movable through a center unstable position midway between on and off which defines the switch axis. The switch unit 12 also includes an externally threaded hollow stud 18 which projects through an opening 17 in the frame 14.

The lock unit 10 includes a body or housing 19 which consists of a generally cup-shape base 20 having a cover 21 rotatably supported thereon so as to define a space or chamber therebetween. For convenience of description the base side of the housing 19 is hereinafter referred to as the inner side and the cover side is referred to as the outer side. The base 20 has an inner or bottom wall 23 and an annular axially extending flange 22 provided at its outer end with a radially outwardly extending circumferential projection 24. A dial indicator or arrow 26 is secured to one point on the flange 22. The base 20 has an axially offset or eccentric tapped opening 28 which is threaded onto the switch stud 18 until base 20 is moved into engagement with the outer face of the frame 14 in mounting the lock assembly 10 on the toggle switch unit 12. A set screw 30 extends through a threaded opening 32 in the base and is extendable into an opening 34 in the frame 14 for maintaining the base 20 in a fixed position on the frame 14. As an alternative to forming the opening 34 in frame 14, the set screw 30 may be of reduced length and may be extended until it frictionally engages and bites into outer face of frame 14.

An annular washer-type spring 36 is positioned in the base 20 so that it is against inner wall 23, is closely adjacent or engages the flange 22, and is spaced from opening 28. A first lock element or blocking plate 38, of a generally disc shape and of a diameter such that it is rotatably supported on the flange 22, is positioned in the base 20 so that its inner side engages the outer side of spring 36. A spacer washer 40 engages the lock element 38 and has a tooth or radial projection 42 (FIG. 3) disposed in a notch 44 in the base flange 22 to maintain the washer 40 againstrrotation within the base 20. A second lock element or blocking plate 46 engages the spacer 40.

The lock element 46 is substantially identical to the lock element 38 in that it is of a diameter to be rotatably supported on the base flange 22. A second spacer washer 48, identical to the washer 40, is positioned against the lock element 46 and has a projection 50 which fits in the groove 44 to maintain the spacer 48 in a fixed position within the base 20 so that it does not rotate.

The cover member 21 is rotatably supported on the base flange 20'and has a flange 54 which is spun over the base projection 24 so as to maintain the cover 21 in a rotatably supported position on the base 20. Indicating numerals, from 1 to 12 in the illustrated embodiment-of the invention, are formed on the flange 54 as shown in FIG. 1 and as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 7.

It can thus be seen that the spring washer 36 maintains the

lock elements

38 and 46 and the

spacers

40 and 48 in a stacked relation in th space within the housing 19 between the base 20 and the cover 21. The spring 36 maintains adjacent elements inthe stack'in sufficiently tight engagement to maintain them againstrelative axial movement but the spring strength is also sufiiciently low that relative rotation between adjacent elements inthe stack is readily obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lock element 38 is formed on its outer flat side or face 56 with an axially extending projection or tooth A. The element 38 is alsoprovided with an opening or slot 60, illustrated as being of generally keyhole shape, which is eccentrically located with respect to the axis 62 of thelook element 38. The lockelement 46 (FIG- 6) is formed on its inner face with an axially extending projection B, which is spaced the same distance from the axis 66 of the element 46 as the distance the projection A is spaced iromthe axis 62 of the element 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the projections A and B are of a. length greater than half the thickness of the spacer 40 so that they are engageable with each other on relative Iotation of the

lock elements

38 and 46. The opposite or outer face 68 of the lock element 46 is provided with an axial projection C, and the lock element 46 likewise has an opening or slot 70, illustrated as being of a generally keyhole shape, which is also eccentric with respect to the element axis 66.

The cover 21 is formed on its inner side 72 with an axial projection D which is disposed on the same radius as the projection C. on the look element 46. The cover 21 also has a slot or opening 74 formed therein, illustrated as being of generally keyhole shape, which is likewise eccentric with respect to the axis 76 of the cover 21.

It can thus'be seen that the cover 21-is rotatable to, a

position in which the tooth D engages the tooth C on the lock element 46 so that upon further rotation of the cover 21 in the same direction, the lock element 46 is rotated by the cover 21., Likewise, the lock element 46 is rotatable, by the cover 21, to a position in which the tooth B thereon engages the tooth A on the lock eleinent38 so that upon further rotation of the cover 21 in the same direction, both the

lock elements

46 and 38 are rotated with the cover 21.

In FIG. 2, the

lock elements

38 and 46 and the cover 21 are illustrated in positions in which their

slots

60, 70 and 74, respectively, are insubstantial alignment and have their major axes extending in a direction radially from the axis of the housing 19 such that access to the set screw 30 through the

slots

60, 70 and-74 may be obtained to install the lock'assembly on the switch unit 12.1In this position of the

lock elements

38 and 46 and the cover 21, all-three of these members are in positionsblocking movement of the lever 16 from its off position illustrated in FIG. 2 toward its on position illustrated in FIG. 4 in solid lines. Whenany one of the members 38,

46 and 21 is in a position otherthan a position in which the

slots

60, 70 and 74, respectively, therein extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction 'of the throw of lever 16, illustrated as straight downwardlyin the embodiment shown in the drawing, that member will effectively block movement of the lever 16 into its on position shown in FIG. 4. This blocking function is ac,- complished by the size and shape of

slots

60, 70 and 74 because each of a width less than one half the throw of the lever 16 in the plane of each of the slots. In other words, the maximumwidth of a slot is less than thedistance between a stable and an axial position of lever 16.

' Consequently, in order to enable the switch unit 12 to be moved to a closedposition, by moving the lever-16 from its 011 to its on position, it is necessary to position the lock elements 38' and 46 and the cover 21 in substantially the position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the slots60, 70 and 74 provide clearance for the lever 16 to be thrown from itsoff to its on position because each slot is of alengthgreater than the throw of lever16 in the plane of the slot. In other words, only in the positions of the

lock elements

38 and 46 and the :cover21;

shown in FIG. 4, are all of these members out of the path of movement of the lever 16 during movement from itsbfi to its on position. The lever. 16 is conveniently. 1

the position illustrated in FIG. 5. The cover 21 is then rotated in a reverse direction until the lock element 46 is positioned as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Finally,.the direction of rotation ofthe cover 21 is again reversed and it is rotated until it is in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The combination of the lock assembly 10 determines the position to which the cover 21' is rotated during each rotation thereof. The combination of the .look assembly 10 is determined by the location of the teeth A, B, C, and D, the teeth A, B; and C being conveniently formed in the

look elements

38 and 46. by punching the lock elements so as to project the material from which the lock elements are formed from the side or sides;thereof. Consequently,

thelock elements

38 and 46 constitute codej elements since the location ofthe teeth thereon determines the lock code or combination.

The combination of the lock assembly 10 is determined f as follows, assumingthat the cover. 21 is numbered counterclockwise as illustrated; diagrammatically in FIG. 7. The three numbers in the combination will bedesignated X,Y and Z.

In the above formulas, A, B, C and D are the numbered positions of the correspondingly designated teeth when the lock assembly 10 is in its position illustrated in FIG. 4, namely, its unlocked position. A numbered position of a tooth is determined by the number on cover 21 intersected by a plane radiating from the axis ofhousing 19 and passing through the tooth. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention A=l2, B=8, C=3, and D=12 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). Consequently, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the combination is -5, 15, 12. Applying this combination to the numbers on the cover 21,1116 combination is 73;0. Thearrow 26 is utilized to indicatethenumber positions at which thecover rotation [is stopped, and before stopping the cover :at the first number, it is rotated at least twice. to make certain that the lock element 38 is being driven by the cover 21.1.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form, indicated generally at 10a, of the combination lock assembly of thislinven-z I tion is illustrated. The assembly -10ais shown applied to.

aswitch unit 12,. of-toggle type, having a bat handle shape dimension than the .unit 10.

The unit 10a includes a housing 80 which consistsof a base 82 having an annular flange 84 and an eccentrically;

disposed tapped opening86 which is threaded onto the annular stud 18 in the switchfunit;12 to a position in which the base 82 engages the frame 14. A set screw 88 extends through a threaded opening 90 in the base 82 into an opening 92 in the frame 14 so as to maintain the base 82 in a fixed position on the frame 14. An indicator or arrow 94, fixed on the base 82, is used for indicating moved positions of the lock unit a. A cover 96 having a flange 98 which is spun over the base flange 84 is rotatably mounted on the base 82 and cooperates with the base 82 to define a space-or chamber therebetween.

Three lock elements, namely, an inner lock element 100, an intermediate lock element 102 and an outer lock element 104 are rotatably mounted on the housing 80 and disposed within the chamber formed therein. The inner lock element 100 (FIG. 9) is of generally annular ring shape, having a central axial opening 106, and is provided with a slot 108 which extends radially outwardly from the opening 106 to the radially outer edge of the element 100. A projection or tooth 110 extends axially outwardly from the outer face of the element 100 and is spaced from the inner side of the cover 96.

The intermediate lock element 102, which is also of a generally annular ring shape, having an axial opening 112 of a size slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner lock element 100, likewise has a slot 114 therein which is of substantially the same width as the slot 108 and extends radially from the opening 112 to the radially outer edge of the element 102. A projection or tooth 116 on the outer side of the element 102 projects toward the cover 96 into a closely spaced relation therewith.

The outer lock element 104 is of annular shape having a central opening 118 of a size slightly larger than the external diameter of the lock element 102. The element 104 has a slot 120 formed therein which is of substantially V shape as shown in FIG. 9. A projection or tooth 122 on the outer side of the element 104 projects toward the cover 96 into a closely spaced relation therewith at a position in which it is engageable by a corresponding projection or tooth 124 formed on the inner side of the cover It can thus be seen, that on rotation of the cover 96, the tooth 124 thereon is engageable with the tooth 122 so that continuing rotation of the cover 96 in the same direction will provide for rotation of the element 104 in that direction. On rotation of the lock element 104, a drive pin 126 secured thereto so as to overlap the lock element 102 is engageable with the tooth 116 on the lock element 102 so as to provide for rotation of the lock element 102 on further rotation of the lock element 104 in the same direction. A similar drive pin 128 on the lock element 102 overlaps the lock element 100 and is engageable with the tooth 110 thereon to provide for driving of the lock element 100 by the lock element 102.

A lock block or key 130, of a width slightly less than the width of the slots 108 and 114 and having a generally V-shape nose or end section 132 is positioned within the Opening 106 in the inner lock element 100 so that it projects into the slot 108 in the element 100. The block 130 is of a length in a direction radially of the housing 80 such that it will not project beyond the outer edge of the element 100 when it is disposed in the opening 106 so that it rides on the lever 16 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 9.

The lever 16 is illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 8 in a position corresponding to the o T position of the switch 12. In order to permit movement of the lever 16 to its on position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 8, it is necessary to move the

lock elements

100, 102 and 104 to the positions illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the slots 108, 114 and 120 are in substantial alignment in a direction radially of the housing 80. If only the slots 108 and 114 are aligned, the lever 16 cannot be moved far enough toward its on position to close the switch unit 12. With the slots 108, 114 and 120 aligned as shown in FIG. 9, the lever 16 is moved from its broken to its solid line position in FIG. 9 and during such movement it moves the slide block 130 through the aligned slots to a position in which its V-shape end section 132 projects into the slot 120. When the lever 16 is to be returned to its oil position, the cover 124 is rotated to rotate the outer lock element 104 so that the edge of the slot rides against the edge of the nose section 132 of the block 130. These edges then function as coacting cams so that the block is forced in a reverse direction through the aligned slots with suflicient momentum to throw the lever 16 over center so that it returns to its off position.

In order to position the

lock elements

100, 102 and 104 in their positions illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover 96 is rotated through a predetermined combination, determined by the locations of the

teeth

110, 116, 122 and 124 and the pins 126 and 128, to first position the lock element 100 in the position shown in FIG. 9. The combination lock cover 96 is then rotated in an opposite direction to locate the lock element 102, to another position to locate the lock element 104 and to a final position to locate a slot in the cover 96, like the slot 70 in the cover 52 such that clearance is provided for the handle 16. Thus, a four number combination is provided for the unit 10a.

Another modified form of the lock assembly of this invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 1.1 and indicated generally at 10b. The lock assembly 1% is likewise ilustrated mounted on the switch unit 12 described above.

The assembly 10b includes a housing which consists of an annular lock body 152 and a support plate 154 which is secured, such as by spot welding, to one side of the lock body 152. A cover member 156, of generally circular shape, is positioned in a spaced relation with the support plate 154 and has a downturned flange 158 which engages the periphery of the plate 154. A numeral sleeve 160, provided with indicating numerals (not shown) and formed of a material such as plastic, has an inner flange 162 which engages the support plate 154 and maintains the cover member 1 56 in a supported relation on the support plate 154. The sleeve 160 functions to maintain the cover 156 in assembly relation with the support plate 154 and has numerals formed thereon, like those shown on the cover 20, which are alignable with an indicator (not shown) like the indicator 26 previously described, formed on the lock body 152.

The cover 156 has an inwardly extending drive projection or tooth D formed thereon, like the projection D on the cover 20. The support plate 154 has a reference projection or tooth A which projects outwardly, like the projection A on the locking element 56 previously described.

A slip coupling 166 is positioned in the housing between the support plate 154 and the cover 156 and rotatably supported on the flange 158. The coupling 166 consists of a pair of lock or code elements 168 and 1'70 which are of flat disc shape and are positioned in face-to-face engagement with each other. A retainer rim or sleeve 172, formed of a material having low frictional characteristics such as a plastic material, for example, polyethylene or nylon, extends about and frictionally engages the outer peripheries of the

code elements

168 and 170. The rim 172 can have radially inwardly directed retaining flanges engaged with the outer faces of

code elements

168 and 170. The retainer rim 172 and the code elements 1'68 and 170 are assembled prior to assembly with the other components of the unit 10b.

The code element 168 has a projection or tooth B projecting from the outer face thereof and which projects inwardly of the housing 150 for engagement with the projection A on the support plate 154. The other code element 170 has a similar projection C which extends therefrom in a direction opposite to the direction in which the projection B extends, for engagement with the projection D on the cover 2 1. For economy of manufacture, the

code elements

168 and 170 can be identical.

The rim 172 holds the

code elements

168 and 170 in fixed relative positions so that the code elements will rotate together as a unit, until the rotation of one of'thep elements is prevented, in which case the elements rotate with respect to each other and at least one of the elements slips with respect to the rim 172 which is rotatably supported on the housing 150. The

elements

168 and 170 havekeyhole slots 180 which are movable'to aligned positions when the-element 168 is prevented from rotating and the element 170 is rotated; The cover- 156 also a keyhole slot 182.

When the length of the stud 18 permits, a retainer hex nut 184 is threaded into engagement with frame 14. A captive hex nut 186 has a flange 188 rotatably supported on the body 152 so that when nut 186 is tightened, supported plate 154 is moved axially into engagement with the outer end of stud 18.; A tang 190 on plate 154 is.

bent into a keyway 192 on stud -18 -to lock the plate 154 against rotation relative to stud 18. p

In the operation of unit 126, sleeve 160 is manually grasped and rotated so that projection D engages projection C so as to rotate coupling 166. When projection B engages projection A, rotation of code element 168 is stopped and element 170 rotates relative to element 168. When the first. combination number is reached, slot 180 in element 170 is aligned wtih element 168. Sleeve 160 is. then rotated .in an opposite direction until projection D drive-s projection C to rotate coupling 166 to a position in which slots 180 will permit movement of switch handle 16 to on? position; Sleeve 160 is then rotated in an opposite direction to align cover slot 182 with slots 180.

From the above description it is seen that this invention provides combination lock assemblies 10, 10a and 1 10b that have openings extending therethrough so that the assemblies can be mounted such that the actuating lever' or the like which is to be locked can be inserted through the lock assembly. It is to be understood that while the assemblies have been shown with a toggle switch unit 12, because they are particularly adaptable to the locking of such units, they are usable with any unit, switch or otherwise, having a member. which can-be extended through the lock assembly. The lock assemblies of this invention are readily mounted on existing toggle switches 12 by virtue of the provision of the eccentric openings in the assembly housings. In general the openings are positioned so that the axis of each of, the housings will be locatedso that it extends through the portion of lever 16 disposed in the housing, in the position of lever 16in which his to be locked, illustrated in the drawingas ,the off position. I j g It will be understood that the combination lock assemblies which are herein disclosedv and described are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and are not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a switch having an actuating member movable between a plurality of switch control positions, a combination lock assembly for locking said actuating member in one ofsaid positions, said lockassembly comprising a housing having a substantially cupshape base and a cover rotatably mounted on said base, means mounting said .base'on said switch so that said actuating member extendsthrongh saidhousing, a plurality of lock elements rotatably mounted on said base and positioned in said housing, each of said lock elements having an opening therein through which said actuating member extends and being arranged relative to said ac-.

tuating member such that in at least one rotated position of each lock element it blocks movement of said actuating member out of said one position therefor and in another position of each lock element it is out of the path of movement of said actuating member, and coacting means on said cover and said lock elements providing for selective rotation of said lock elements in response to rotation of said cover so that said cover is operable on predeterlock assembly comprisinga housing mountedon said switch so, that said handle projects through said .housing, a plurality of superposed lock elementsrotatably mounted in said housing, engageable teeth formed ,at predetermined positions on said lock'elements and providing for rotation of all of said elements in response to rotation .of

one of said elements in one direction, said one element being rotatable through agiven angle in an opposite direction independently of said other elements,1each, of :said

lock elements normally blocking movement of said handle away from one switch control position of said handle and being movable toat leastone .position in-a clearance relation with said handle during movementthereof from said one to another control position, and means; on said housing for selectively rotating said one lock element so that each of said lock elements can be moved to said one means on said coverv operable in response to rotation of.

said cover to move one of said elements which is in turn operable to move another one of said elements, said cover means being operable in response to rotation thereof in locking said lever in the oil position thereof, said lock assembly comprising ;a housinghaving a base mounted first one direction and then in the opposite direction to position said elements such that the openings therein are substantially aligned- 4. In a combination lock assembly, a housing having relatively :rotatable portions, a pair of coacting, locking discs disposed in said housing in a stacked relation, each of said discs. being of a circular shape and having an elongated opening therein; an annular ring rotatab'ly supported in, said housing and 'trictionally engaged withthe peripheries ofsaid discs so as to frictionally connectsaid discs, means drivingly en-gageable with one disc to rotate said one disc, and means engageable with the other disc to restrain rotationthereof in one. direction, actuating means on a portion of said housing operable in response to relative rotation of said housing portions to move one of said discs whichis in turn operable to. move said ring and the other one of said discs, said housing portions being operable in response to relative rotation thereof in first one direction and then in the opposite direction to first position said discs such that the openingstherein are substantially aligned, and then position said discs in predetermined positions relative to said housing. I

5. In combination with a control means provided with a pivotally movable actuating lever movable between on? and .ofi positions, a combination lock assembly for on said control means ina fixed position surrounding said lever, a housing 'cover rotatably mounted on said base,

and having'an opening therein through. which said lever projects, said cover: having at least a portion thereof spaced from said base so as to form an annular: chamber.

t-herebetween'surrounding said lever, 21 pair of lockjelee ments rotatably supported on said housing and disposed in said chamber, saidlock elements having axially offset "openingstherein which are alignable andthrough which said lever extends, said openings being disposed relative to said lever such that said lever is. movable from said off to said on position only on substantial alignment of said openings in predetermined positions thereof, en-

gageable first projection meanson said cover and one of said lock elements providing for rotation of said one lock element in response to rotation of said cover, and engageable second projection means on said lock elements providin-g for rotation of the other lock element in response to rotation of said one lock element, so that on preselected rotation of said cover said lock elements are movable to said predetermined positions aligning said openings.

6. In combination with a control means provided with a pivotally movable bat handle actuating lever movable between on and o positions, a combination lock assembly for locking said lever in the off position thereof, said lock assembly comprising a 'housinghavin-g a base mounted on said control means in a fixed position surrounding said lever, said base having an annular flange, a housing cover rotatably mounted on said flange and having an opening therein through which said lever projects, said cover and said base cooperating to form an annular chamber therebetween surrounding said lever, a pair of lock elements rotatably supported on said base flange and disposed in said chamber, spacer means supported in a fixed position on said flange and positioned between said lock elements, said lock elements having axially ofiset openings therein Whih. 31'6 ali-gnable, and through which said lever extends, said openings being disposed relative to said lever such that said lever is movable from said off to said on position only on substantial alignment of said openings in predetermined positions thereof, engageable first projection means on said cover and one of said lock elements providing for rotation of said one look element in response to rotation of said cover, and engageable second projection means on said lock element-s providing for rotation of the other lock element in response to rotation of said one lock element, so that on preselected rotation of said cover said lock elements are movable to said predetermined positions aligning said openings.

7. In combination with a switchhaving a threaded mounting stud and an actuating lever pivotally mounted at a position substantially axially of said stud and movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lock assembly comprising a housing having a substantially circular base and a cover rotatably supported on said base, said base being secured to said stud so that said base is in a fixed position with respect to said switch, said housing having an opening therein through which said lever projects, a pair of movable substantially circular lock elements disposed within said housing in a substantially coaxial relation with said base and in a face-to-face relation with each other, each of said lock elements having an eccentric opening through which said lever extends and being movable to at least one position in which it blocks movement of said lever from one control position to the other and to at least one position in which it is out of the path of movement of said lever from said one to the other position, a slip coupling ring frictionally engaged with the peripheries of said lock elements and rotatable with respect to said elements, coacting means on said cover and one element providing for rotation of said one element by said cover, and coacting means on said base and the other element for preventing rotation of said other element in one diw rection in one position thereof, whereby said cover is operable to first position said elements in positions in which the openings therein are substantially aligned and then in positions out of the path of movement of said lever.

8. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuating lever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lock assembly comprising a housing having a base mounted at a fixed position with respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on said base, said base and said cover having openings therein through which said lever extends for manual actuation outside said housing, a plurality of stacked lock discs positioned within said housing and rotatably supported on said base, each of said discs having an open ing therein through which said lever projects, engageable means on said cover and on one of said discs operable to provide for rotation of said one disc in response to rotation of said cover with said engageable means in engagement, engageable means on adjacent discs in said stacked discs operable to provide for rotation of others of said discs in response to rotation of said one disc with said engageable means in engagement so that on predetermined rotation of said cover all of said discs are movable to position in which the openings therein provide clearance for movement of said lever between said two positions, and said cover being rotatable to position one or more of said discs in a position blocking movement of said lever from one of said positions to the other. I

9. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuating lever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lock assembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed position with respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on said base, said base and said cover having openings therein through which said lever extends for manual actuation outside said housing, a pair of stacked lock discs positioned within said housing, a slip coupling member frictionally connecting said discs and rotatably supported on said base, each of said discs having an opening therein through which said lever projects, engageable means on said cover and on one of said discs operable to provide for rotation of said one discs in response to rotation of said cover with said engageable means in engagement, said slip coupling member being operable to provide for rotation of the other of said discs in response to rotation of said one disc with said engageable means in engagement, engageable means on said base and the other one of said discs operable to prevent rotation thereof by said coupling member so that on predetermined rota tion of said cover said discs are movable to first positions in which the openings therein are aligned and second positions in which said openings provide clearance for movement of said lever between said two positions.

10. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuating lever movable between a pair of con trol positions, a combination lock assembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed position with respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on said base, said housing and cover having opening therein through which said lever projects, a plurality of substantially annular coplanar lock elements disposed in said housing in a radially spaced relation so as to substantially surround said lever in one position thereof, said lock elements having substantially radially extending slots therein which in selected positions of said elements are substantially radially aligned, a lock block of a size to slide through said aligned slots and disposed in the slot in the radially inner one of said lock elements in said one position of said lever and movable through said slots to a position projecting into the slot in the radially outer one of said lock elements on movement of said lever to the other position thereof, first engageable projection means on said cover and one of said lock elements providing for rotation of said one lock element in response to rotation of said cover with said projections engaged, and other engageable projection means on adjacent ones of said lock elements so that said cover is operable in response to predetermined back and forth rotation thereof to position said lock elements such that said slots are substantially aligned.

11. In combination with a switch having a pivotally mounted actuating lever movable between a pair of control positions, a combination lock assembly comprising a housing having a base mounted in a fixed position with respect to said switch and a cover rotatably supported on said base, said housing and cover having openings therein through which said lever projects, a plurality of substantially annular coplanar lock elements disposed in said housing in a radially spaced relation so as to substantially surround said lever in one position thereof, said lock elements having substantially radially extending slots 1 1 therein which in selected positions of said elements are substantially radially aligned, a lock blockvof a size to slide through said aligned slots and disposed in the slot in the radially inner one of said lock elements in said one position of said lever and movable through said slots to a position projecting into the slotin the radially outer one of said lock elements on movement of said lever to theother position thereof, first engageable projection-means on said cover and one of said lock ele ments providing for rotation of said one lock elementiin response to'rotation of said cover with said projections engaged, Jother engageable projection means onadjacent one of saidlock elements so thatsaidtcover is operable in response 'to predetermined back and forthrotation thereof to position said lock elements such that said slots are substantially aligned, and coacting camimeans on the radially outer most lock element and said lock block providing for movement of said block in a direction. to return said lever; from said other to said one position in response to rotation of said outermost lock element by said cover.

12. Incombin-ation with a toggle switch of the type including a switch body supporting a toggle mechanism with an actuating lever extending therefrom, the lever being pivotable between first and second stable positions through an unstable center position which defines a switch axis, a lock comprising a lock body mounted on theswitch between the first and second switch opera-ting positions. 1

'14. A combination lock for electrical switches and the like comprising'a lock bodytdefining a cylindricalcavity; outer, intermediate and inner blocking 1 plates disposed 'in stacked relation in the cavity, and rotatably supported by the lock body, each ofthe. plates defining a non-circular opening extending through the, .center ;of rotation along a reference axis of the plate, the intermediate and inner plates including a driving elementand a driven element extending from opposite sides thereof near, the periphery,

the driving and driven elements on each plate being angularly displaced from the reference: axis in accordance body, at least one blocking plate defining an elongated opening with the operating lever extending therethrough,

the plate being supported on the lock body for rotation about a lock axis and being in an axial position displaced from the pivot point of the operating lever, said opening having one end centered on the lock axis and having a width less than, and a length greater than, the movement of the operating lever, at said axial position, from the first stable position to the center unstable position, the lock axis being displaced from the switch axis so that it extends through the operating lever, at said axial position, when the lever is in its first stable position whereby the blocking plate is rotatable about the lever to a position in which the lever is pivotable to the second stable position, and a cover member rotatably mounted onthe lock body and drivingly connected with the blocking plate. 5

13. In combination with a toggleswitch of the type including a switch body supporting a switch mechanism with anactuating lever pivotally mounted on the body and extending therefrom, said lever being pivotable between first and second switch operating positions, a combination lock comprising a lock body mounted on ;the switch body, plural blocking plates rotatably supported on the lock body and defining an opening with the switch operating lever extending therethrough, the openingdefined by the plates with the plates in a predetermined rotative position being elongated and having a width less than, and a length at least as great as, the movement of the lever between the first and second switch operating positions, a lost motion driving connection between successive blocking plates, and a :lock operating member drivingly connectedwith one of the plates. whereby the with a predetermined code, the driving and driven elements on adjacent plates being located at;the*same radial,

distance from the centerj of rotation and extending into overlapping relation to efiecta lost motion driving engagement between successive plates, the outer, plate being drivingly connected with a manually rotatable member and including a driving element extending from the lower side thereofinear the periphery whereby rotation of said outer plate in alternately opposite directions in accordance with the predetermined code is eflfective to position the plates so, as to align said openings.

15. In combination, a switch having an actuating handle movable between a plurality of switch control positions, a combination lock assembly mounted on said switch so that said-handle projectsthrough said lock assembly,

bly being out of the path of movement of saidhandle fromsaid one position thereof to another'position of said handle, said lock assembly including a pair of code elements which must be arranged in a predetermined relation with respect to each other and with respect to said handle in order to be out of said path of movement of said handle, supporting means rotatably supporting said code elements and maintaining said elements in predetermined relative planes of rotation, said supporting means being operable to transmit rotation of one code element to the other and being operable to support said elements for relative rotation in response to oppositely directed rotative forces thereon. 2

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 561,524 6/1896 Root -302'X 1,431,162 10/1922 Keplinger 70-306 2,491,595 12/1949 Williams 200-43 2,523,943 9/1950 Ohoppa 20o 42 2,611,259 9/1952 Berryetalb 70--302X 3,170,050 2/1965 Buturuga 200-42 FOREIGN PATENTS 772,277 4/1957 Great Britain,

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. A; LEWITIER, vAssistant Examiner.

Claims

3. IN A COMBINATION LOCK ASSEMBLY, A HOUSING HAVING A ROTATABLE COVER, A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR COACTING LOCK ELEMENTS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOUSING, EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED AT ITS PERIPHERY ON SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN ELONGATED OPENING THEREIN EXTENDING THROUGH THE AXIS OF SAID ELEMENT, ACTUATING MEANS ON SAID COVER OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID COVER TO MOVE ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS WHICH IS IN TURN OPERABLE TO MOVE ANOTHER ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS, SAID COVER MEANS BEING OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION THEREOF IN FIRST ONE DIRECTION AND THEN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO POSITION SAID ELEMENTS SUCH THAT THE OPENINGS THEREIN ARE SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED.